How-to-guides - Open and close your power sunroof by remote control

Did you say open my sunroof?

As A matter of fact the auxiliary outputs of any remote entry or security system can be used to control just about any device in the vehicle, such as sunroof, power windows, etc.

In this chapter we will discuss wiring the remote entry or security system to the power sunroof of your vehicle.

Why would I want to do that?

The devise is designed to open or close the power sunroof on most vehicles. If you ask yourself, why would I want to do that? Imagine having your sunroof open on a nice sunny day.

As the day comes to an end a major rain storm comes out of the blue. Now most people would have to run to the vehicle (in the poring rain), get the key open the door , turn on the ignition you get the point. But sine you thought ahead you walk over to the closet window in you home and with a press of a button your sunroof closes. Pretty cool. Now imagine the opposite.

The day is sweltering hot and now since you have the "power sunroof toy" you press another button that open the sunroof from the comfort of your air conditioned home. Get the now?

You can also wire the power sunroof module to simply close when you press the lock button on the remote of the remote entry or security system. So imagine getting out of your vehicle and with one press of a button you could:

• Lock all doors

• Arm alarm

• Close power sunroof

You can even have the module do the same for all power window or just the drivers!

See: Power window roll-up circuits.

How does it work?

The power sunroof module looks a lot like the brain of the remote entry or security system. It is wired into the vehicles power sunroof circuit. It is controlled by the auxiliary output wire or 3rd channel output wire located on most remote entry or security system.

This wire will send (usually) a negative pulse when a specific button in depressed on the remote (see your owners manual for your remote entry or security system for more detail on this function).

When the power sunroof module receives a negative voltage pulse from the remote entry or security system, it activates a circuit that monitors the current consumption of the power sunroofs motor.

When the sunroof is closing, the motor for example, may draw 5 amps (this is just for argument sake and does not indicate what the specific current draw of your power sunroof motor may consume).

As It gets to the end of its travel and stops, the current consumption will dramatically increase in the sunroof motor. The power sunroof module will sense this increase in current draw and the turn off the power to the roof. It does the same when opening the sunroof.

Now........., ready to get to work?

What do I have?

How to determine what type of relay configuration your vehicle has.

You can verify the type of system used by using a digital test light (for safety to the cars electronics) or a voltage meter. 

You should begin by locating the wire that sends the specific voltage and while opining the vehicles power sunroof and closing it you will want to look for the change on your test light.

• In most cases you can find the harness to the power sunroof at the driver or passengers kick panel, witch is basically the panel that your left foot (if drivers) "hangs" around when driving.

• Most vehicle kick panels will snap off or will have a screw or two holding it in place. Remove the kick panel to reveal the harness that goes from the vehicle through the door jamb and into the door.

• Usually you will find the culprit at this harness.

What next?

• Once you determine what the signal is, you will then want to determine what your security system or remote entry signal is set for at the factory.

• It is usually a negative. Some security's systems will have the ability to change the voltage signal from negative to positive.

• If your system only has a negative signal out you can easily convert that negative signal to a positive by using a relay. see relay configurations.

• After making the correct connections you should be able to press the aux button (depending on manufacture) for two to three second and Walla! Sunroof closes or opens all by itself release!

Power sunroof  close circuit

About this circuit:

• First determine what channel you will be using on your remote entry or security system,  Note: see your owners manual for specific wire outputs.

• The remote entry send a (typically) negative pulse to the power sunroof module.

• Connect the two wires for "open" located on sunroof module between the power sunroof switch and the motor You will cut this wire and connect one end to the switch side and the other to the power sunroof side.

• Power sunroof module will also require a constant fussed 12 volt positive voltage and a negative ground.

How to determine what type of output my remote entry or security system has:

• You can verify the type of output  that the remote entry or security system is currently using by using a digital test light (for safety to the cars electronics) or a voltage meter.

• You should begin by locating the wire that sends the specific voltage pulse form the remote entry or security system and while pressing the specific button that your unit has allocated for the auxiliary or 3rd channel output wire.

• you will want to look for the change on your test light, or volt meter as it will indicate whether it is a positive or negative voltage.

Change (-) Negative to (+) Positive

About this circuit:

• If your remote entry or security system only has a Negative pulse out for the auxiliary channel you can use this circuit to convert it to a negative pulse

• Connect the terminals 86 and 87 to a fused (+) Positive 12volts

• Connect the Negative voltage out from the remote entry or security system to the terminal 85 of the relay.

• Terminal 30 will now send a Positive pulse for your application.

How to determine what type of output my remote entry or security system has:

• You can verify the type of output  that the remote entry or security system is currently using by using a digital test light (for safety to the cars electronics) or a voltage meter.

• You should begin by locating the wire that sends the specific voltage pulse form the remote entry or security system and while pressing the specific button that your unit has allocated for the auxiliary or 3rd channel output wire.

• you will want to look for the change on your test light, or volt meter as it will indicate whether it is a positive or negative voltage.

Change (-) Positive to (+) Negative

About this circuit:

• If your remote entry or security system only has a Positive pulse out for the auxiliary channel you can use this circuit to convert it to a negative pulse

• Connect the terminals 86 and 87 to a (-) Negative ground.

• Connect the Positive pulse voltage out from the remote entry or security system to the terminal 85 of the relay.

• Terminal 30 will now send a Negative pulse for your application.

How to determine what type of output my remote entry or security system has:

• You can verify the type of output  that the remote entry or security system is currently using by using a digital test light (for safety to the cars electronics) or a voltage meter.

• You should begin by locating the wire that sends the specific voltage pulse form the remote entry or security system and while pressing the specific button that your unit has allocated for the auxiliary or 3rd channel output wire.

• you will want to look for the change on your test light, or volt meter as it will indicate whether it is a positive or negative voltage.