I've been thinking, Acura has known about the sunroof rattle since 1999. I have a 99 TL and I have the same exact rattle that all of you with 2000-2003 have. Why haven't they fixed this problem? I mean, it can't be that hard to fix...

 

heck hondas sunroof have been rattiling since atleast 1988 which was my first honda and every one ever since has done it, i get a new car every 2.5 years and every single one of them has had the exact same rattle

 

Why wouldn't they install that tape on every new Acura if it solves the problem, which in my case, it did...

 

So so true...I have even complained to their CS Support and to the Service District Managers. Seems like they just don't care. Just like those cheap rotors, but I still like my TL very very much.

 

Im not sure if this was ever covered but for the sunroof rattle... get your hands on a tube of 'Sin-Etsu' Silicone Grease. All you have to do is apply it to the rubber seal. Honda Part# 08798-9013 . The first day i got my car..from the dealer to my house i had to apply it ;( Im was glad that i grabbed a few tubes before I left my old job
coupe

 

It's not the "RATTLE" that is the problem, it's the "DESIGN". If you take a close look at the SUN/Moon roof, honda/acura must have one of the most POORLY designed ones. Have your roof closed, sit inside and start pressing on the glass, you can actually move the roof and duplicate the rattle. The rattle if from the rubbler molding rubbing against the paint. To solve this they put a soft piece of tape so when it rubs it doesn't sqeak. I had a 89 Camry, even that moonroof is better than the Acura one, it even has a built in wind deflector!

 

Sunroof tape installed at my last oil change. No more rattle.

 

YEA THE TAPE WORKS FOR THE GLASS PART HOW BOUT ALL THE RATTLES THAT COME FROM THE HEADLINER

 

The real culprit here ofcourse is the seal itself.It seems to be very dry in nature as far as rubber goes.This issue has been haunting us since the cars introduction .Since there is a cure for the problem (a type of teflon tape) Acura probably figures this is not worth changing at this point since the car is nearing the end of it's life cycle.The grease "Sin -Etsu" should not be used anymore as this was causing more problems than it solved.Have your dealer install the teflon tape and the problem is in most cases cured.As to why the seal was never changed........... well Like I said the car is nearing the end of it's production run ,hopefully they have learned from this experience and do not repeat the problem in the next car.Chnging a production part is not just a matter of calling the local rubber maker and telling them to dump a bit more silicone in the rubber mixture.If a part is updated that means that all the parts in existence are obsolete plus add to that testing certifying in some cases etc. etc. .All of this can cost a huge pile of money as you can imagine.Instead they try to find a simple cheap effective fix for the problem.In this case a cheap roll of tape and a small expenditure on warranty labor money solves the problem.
Mind you I do not work for Honda/Acura I am employed by a dealer,but I have talked with a few reps fromvarious car makers and they all seem to say about the same thing.Jens

 

I also noticed that the TL does not come with a built in wind deflector. Our 94 Accord has one! I guess it's just a way of cutting cost...

 

BTW, Jens, it's good to have you back... You replied to both of my posts. Thanks

Rosh

 

My experience with the teflon tape remedy is not that great. I had the tape replaced twice. After awhile the tape will start to crack and fall off.

Thanks for the input Jens. I'm not saying that they should go change the mixture of the rubber, i'm saying that they should redesign the entire moon/sun roof. It's not just this generation TL/CL that have it, it's basically every honda/acura. I'm not saying this will be cheap...in the long run it will pay for itself

Consumers will be more happy and spread the work that Acura are good cars, they will save $$ on warrenty work. To change a rear bulb, the dealer charged honda $4 for the bulb, and $16 for labor, i'm my opinion that's outragous. All the cost just goes right back to the buyer.

 

I agree ,trust me having to fix a noisy sunroof on a nearly new car is damn embarassing!I hope they get this right along with the trans on the next generation of CL and TL vehicles.Black TL thank you buddy it is good to be back in the thick of it with all of my favorite car crazy friends .Jens

 

Has anyone else tried using RainX (the liquid form) on the rubber sunroof seal? It fixes the squeaky rubber/paint interaction, but you have to re-apply the RainX every couple of months. It's not messy, and I've found it best to thoroughly coat the rubber seal (with the sunroof in the popped up position).