Challenge for all DIY gurus (attn: Grey!): one-touch moonroof open/close
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Challenge for all DIY gurus (attn: Grey!): one-touch moonroof open/close
I'm surprised nobody has brought up this issue already...
One of the things I like most about my EX is my moonroof, but one of the things I hate most about it is having to keep my finger on the open/close switch to get it to open or close all the way, especially with the awkward/hidden location of this switch (practically behind the steering wheel when looking down at it). Operating it distracts the crap outta me when I'm driving, even if it's only for a few seconds.
How hard would it have been for Honda to incorporate a one-touch feature here? Volkswagen got their moonroofs right on the money: they have a dial that you just turn and the roof will open or close to the position on the dial... ingenious.
So for all the talented DIY people we have on this board, how 'bout a "One-Touch Moonroof DIY" ?
This is definitely one DIY I would pay for.
One of the things I like most about my EX is my moonroof, but one of the things I hate most about it is having to keep my finger on the open/close switch to get it to open or close all the way, especially with the awkward/hidden location of this switch (practically behind the steering wheel when looking down at it). Operating it distracts the crap outta me when I'm driving, even if it's only for a few seconds.
How hard would it have been for Honda to incorporate a one-touch feature here? Volkswagen got their moonroofs right on the money: they have a dial that you just turn and the roof will open or close to the position on the dial... ingenious.
So for all the talented DIY people we have on this board, how 'bout a "One-Touch Moonroof DIY" ?
This is definitely one DIY I would pay for.
Last edited by Ronin; May 2, 2003 at 03:40 PM.
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Rep Power: 318 Hey, that's a great idea. A one touch close might be an issue though if there isn't some kind of obstruction sensing shutoff. You could possibly close the moonroof w/ your head in there! 
One touch opening would have less liability issues though. 
One touch opening would have less liability issues though. 
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Originally posted by FlyRiceRacer02
How lazy do you have to be to not be able to hold down the button for a few seconds?
How lazy do you have to be to not be able to hold down the button for a few seconds?
not as lazy as that guy who wanted a switch for the turn signals instead of moving his hand off of the steering wheel to flip the lever...
lease: 
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Rep Power: 0 Actually, for me, it's less of a lazy issue and more of a distraction issue when I'm driving, even if it's just for a few seconds.
If I don't look down, I always have to reach down slightly and grope around with my left hand to feel for the moonroof switch amongst all the other stuff down there ... i.e., mirror switch, cruise switch, tilt switch, roof switch, and heated side mirror switch ... my EX is from Canada (Si)
Those few seconds of reaching down are a few seconds when I'm slightly distracted, and a few seconds when my right hand is on the steering wheel and not available for emergency downshifting, if called for.
If I don't look down, I always have to reach down slightly and grope around with my left hand to feel for the moonroof switch amongst all the other stuff down there ... i.e., mirror switch, cruise switch, tilt switch, roof switch, and heated side mirror switch ... my EX is from Canada (Si)
Those few seconds of reaching down are a few seconds when I'm slightly distracted, and a few seconds when my right hand is on the steering wheel and not available for emergency downshifting, if called for.
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Rep Power: 0 plus it looks more classy and stylish if someone is in the car, you just hit a button and walah, its opening. THat is why I love pulling up and using the auto window down.
I Have no self esteem
I Have no self esteem
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Rep Power: 0 Originally posted by bublik
plus it looks more classy and stylish if someone is in the car, you just hit a button and walah, its opening. THat is why I love pulling up and using the auto window down.
plus it looks more classy and stylish if someone is in the car, you just hit a button and walah, its opening. THat is why I love pulling up and using the auto window down.
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Rep Power: 423 Guys... all the button is is a dual position switch. Replace it with a Toggle switch that has 3 positions (Open, Close, and nothing in the center.) Get one that clicks into place in each position. Then get a button for the pop up button or leave it.
There, I did it... now pay me the $5969768778565 in development costs to come up with that.
There, I did it... now pay me the $5969768778565 in development costs to come up with that.
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Rep Power: 0 Not so sure it's as easy as putting in a 3-position toggle... What about the in-between positions?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you replace the stock switch with your toggle , you're basically only getting either completely open, or completely closed... what about part-way open? I believe this would involve a bit of re-wiring and modification of the contacts.
Sorry, but you don't get your $5969768778565
btw, that VTEC light comment was a jokelease:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you replace the stock switch with your toggle , you're basically only getting either completely open, or completely closed... what about part-way open? I believe this would involve a bit of re-wiring and modification of the contacts.
Sorry, but you don't get your $5969768778565
btw, that VTEC light comment was a joke
lease: Last edited by Ronin; May 2, 2003 at 07:11 PM.
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Rep Power: 423 When you push the button, you close the circuit. When you release it the circuit opens and the roof stops moving. The toggle does the same thing. If you flip the toggle back to center, the sunroof stops. So it still works the same way... it just gives you an auto open function if you flip it and leave it.
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Rep Power: 0 get an extra hand if you don't want to push it for 3-5 secs ..... ..... like take your girl when ever you drive your car and ask her to push the button whenever you want to open the moonroof ........
or use your toe if your hands to busy
i'll open it for you every day if you pay me just $20/hour to do it
Just Kidding ............ by the way i also want that one touch moonroof open feature
..... like take your girl when ever you drive your car and ask her to push the button whenever you want to open the moonroof ........ or use your toe if your hands to busy
i'll open it for you every day if you pay me just $20/hour to do it
Just Kidding ............ by the way i also want that one touch moonroof open feature
Originally posted by Boilermaker1
When you push the button, you close the circuit. When you release it the circuit opens and the roof stops moving. The toggle does the same thing. If you flip the toggle back to center, the sunroof stops. So it still works the same way... it just gives you an auto open function if you flip it and leave it.
When you push the button, you close the circuit. When you release it the circuit opens and the roof stops moving. The toggle does the same thing. If you flip the toggle back to center, the sunroof stops. So it still works the same way... it just gives you an auto open function if you flip it and leave it.
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Rep Power: 0 Originally posted by hankscorpio
If you do this though, you are going to have to flip the toggle again then once the moonroof has fully opened. If you left it on, it would be like holding your finger on the current open button all the time which probably isn't good for the moonroof motor at all, probably burn it out.
If you do this though, you are going to have to flip the toggle again then once the moonroof has fully opened. If you left it on, it would be like holding your finger on the current open button all the time which probably isn't good for the moonroof motor at all, probably burn it out.
Boilermaker's idea may be simple, but if you want this to be kick-*** diy, it would have to be something like VW's implementation..... which is not so straightforward.
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Rep Power: 0 i dont have an ex...but is there an associated relay that supplies power to the sunroof...a capacitor/resistor/relay combination would do the trick...
edit: i just checked in my service manual..it seems there are two relays for the moonroof located somewhere above the headliner...one for opening it...one for closing it...it would be possible to press the switch for one or the other and add a capacitor and resistor to one side of the corresponding relay's coil to hold it open for a few seconds...the length of time would be dependent on what capacitance/resistance you go with...i'm not 100 percent..but i think this'll work..check with the guys at the http://www.the12volt.com
edit: i just checked in my service manual..it seems there are two relays for the moonroof located somewhere above the headliner...one for opening it...one for closing it...it would be possible to press the switch for one or the other and add a capacitor and resistor to one side of the corresponding relay's coil to hold it open for a few seconds...the length of time would be dependent on what capacitance/resistance you go with...i'm not 100 percent..but i think this'll work..check with the guys at the http://www.the12volt.com
Last edited by ohmysac; May 2, 2003 at 09:47 PM.
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Rep Power: 0 OK, sounds like your getting some-where.
BUt i want that dang shade thing to open when I press the middle button to prop the top open. Its way too hard to slid the shade open and then .. have to push the dang button. U dig ?
BUt i want that dang shade thing to open when I press the middle button to prop the top open. Its way too hard to slid the shade open and then .. have to push the dang button. U dig ?
Originally posted by YS
get an extra hand if you don't want to push it for 3-5 secs ..... ..... like take your girl when ever you drive your car and ask her to push the button whenever you want to open the moonroof ........
or use your toe if your hands to busy
i'll open it for you every day if you pay me just $20/hour to do it
Just Kidding ............ by the way i also want that one touch moonroof open feature
get an extra hand if you don't want to push it for 3-5 secs .....
..... like take your girl when ever you drive your car and ask her to push the button whenever you want to open the moonroof ........ or use your toe if your hands to busy
i'll open it for you every day if you pay me just $20/hour to do it
Just Kidding ............ by the way i also want that one touch moonroof open feature
oh wait... i just pw'ed
If you could do a limit switch wired between the relay and the switch that would open the circuit, and even though the switch is still pushed, no power is going to that specific relay once it is all the way open or closed. As long as you put 2 limits in, and they are in front of their respective relays, you could do the 3 position toggle and not do any damage to the motors. But there is still that safety issue of it closing with your head or whatever in the way. Bad idea if you have kids or drunk friends.
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Rep Power: 315 I suggest you read HOW STUFF WORKS:POWER WINDOWS before you even attempt to rewire your cars moonroof setup. It's not always as simple as a direct switch to open/close. Several systems such as windows/locks/mirror controls are routed to a control module. This would make this DIY mod incredibly difficult to execute. Just check out some of the quotes below:
IMO, if this turns out to be a simple mod, it'd be worth it. But unless someone figures that out, it looks difficult and expensive to me.
On some cars, the power windows work in a completely different way. Instead of the power for the motor going through the switches directly, the switches are connected to one of the many electronic modules in the car (the average car contains 25). Some cars have one in the driver's door, as well as a central module called the body controller.
Last edited by Bellz; May 3, 2003 at 07:31 PM.
