Ford Explorer: Roof Opening Panel / Description and Operation - Roof Opening Panel - System Operation and Component Description

System Operation

Switch Operation

There are three switches located in the overhead console. The RH switch is for the front sliding glass panel and the LH switch is for the shield (sunshade). Both switches are double detent switches in both directions (OPEN, CLOSE) with the first detent being manual control and the second detent being one-touch operation. When the front sliding glass panel is in the fully closed position, the front sliding glass panel CLOSE switch becomes a vent OPEN switch if pressed. When the front sliding glass panel is in any vent position, the front sliding glass panel OPEN switch becomes a vent CLOSE switch if pressed.

Shield (Sunshade) Operation

When the shield (sunshade) OPEN switch is pressed to the second detent, the shield will automatically open and stop at the front of the panoramic roof panel glass, leaving only the front sliding glass panel exposed. Pressing the shield OPEN switch to the second detent a second time (after the initial stop) will open the shield to the full open position. When the shield is open to any position and the shield CLOSE switch is pressed the shield moves forward only as long as the switch is held unless the front sliding glass panel is open to any position. If the shield is in the closed position and the front sliding glass panel OPEN switch is pressed, the shield will perform a one-touch open operation automatically which will then be followed by the front sliding glass panel operation that was requested. To partially open or close the shield, press the shield OPEN or CLOSE switch only to the first detent and release at the desired position.

Front Sliding Glass Panel Operation

When the front sliding glass panel OPEN switch is pressed to the second detent, the front sliding glass panel will automatically open and stop at a predetermined position before the fully open position (comfort position). Pressing the front sliding glass panel OPEN switch to the second detent a second time (after the initial stop) will open the front sliding glass panel to the full open position. To fully close the front sliding glass panel, press and release the front sliding glass panel CLOSE switch to the second detent. The front sliding glass panel will fully close. The front sliding glass panel movement can be stopped at any time in either direction by pressing the front sliding glass panel switch in either direction. The vent position can only be requested when the front sliding glass panel is in the fully closed position. To open to the vent position, press and release the front sliding glass panel CLOSE switch to the second detent. The front sliding glass panel will move to the vent position automatically. The front sliding glass panel can be fully closed from the vent position by pressing the front sliding glass panel OPEN switch to the second detent. If the shield is in the closed position and the front sliding glass panel OPEN switch is pressed, the shield will perform a one-touch open operation automatically which will then be followed by the front sliding glass panel operation that was requested. To partially open or close the front sliding glass panel from any position, press the front sliding glass panel OPEN or CLOSE switch only to the first detent and release at the desired position.

Bounce Back - Front Sliding Glass Panel And Shield

The front sliding glass panel and shield has a bounce back feature. If an obstacle has been detected as the front sliding glass panel or shield is closing, operation will automatically reverse and stop at a predetermined position.

Security Override

To override a bounce back condition (to overcome the resistance of ice on the front sliding glass panel seal for example), within 2 seconds of a bounce back event, press and hold the front sliding glass panel CLOSE switch. The front sliding glass panel will operate in manual mode with bounce back detection disabled until the switch is released.

Panoramic Roof Panel Glass

The roof opening panel system on this vehicle includes a fixed panoramic roof panel glass behind the front sliding glass panel. Any time this panel is removed or adjusted the front sliding glass panel will need to be initialized.
Refer to: Power Roof Opening Panel Initialization (501-17 Roof Opening Panel, General Procedures).

Jumper Harness and Communication

There is a jumper harness between roof opening panel C921 and both roof opening panel assembly motors (shield and front sliding glass panel motors) which includes a communication circuit that is used only for communication between the motors. If the communication circuit between the front sliding glass panel motor and shield motor is open or shorted the front sliding glass panel motor will only fully close the front sliding glass panel one time, then not operate. Also, if the communication circuit is open or shorted the shield motor will open fully, then only operate between fully open and the front of the fixed glass panel.

Roof Opening Panel Front Drain Hose Routing

Roof Opening Panel Rear Drain Hose Routing