Sunroof

[Bad_S55]

Anybody else have problems with their sunroof? Yesterday I noticed the close button left it somewhat cracked in the back. Whenever I got it closed & shut the car down, the glass would slide back to that slightly cracked position. I'm pretty sure it's an ASC, but the button looks like Inalfa. Any thoughts?

[CoreyM75]

Nope, I'm waiting to pick up my kids and start spring break. Just looked up and made sure that the glass works.

[Spectragod]

It's not an ASC roof, Webasto is the manufacturer.

[fastblackmerc]

Is it factory or aftermarket. Post a picture of the overhead console.

[Bad_S55]

I'm not sure if it's factory or aftermarket, but I'd assume factory. I also don't have an overhead console, there's just a small rectangular button that glows red. I'll post pictures as soon as I get out to the parking lot.

My button looks just like this, only it's not rounded at the top & doesn't say Inalfa.

[fastblackmerc]

I'm not sure if it's factory or aftermarket, but I'd assume factory. I also don't have an overhead console, there's just a small rectangular button that glows red. I'll post pictures as soon as I get out to the parking lot.

My button looks just like this, only it's not rounded at the top & doesn't say Inalfa.

I know Marauders all came with overhead consoles. If you didn't have a short console whomever did the moon roof install world modify the console. I can assume that CV's or GM's were the same, so it looks like yours is an aftermarket install.

[Bad_S55]

I know Marauders all came with overhead consoles. If you didn't have a short console whomever did the moon roof install world modify the console. I can assume that CV's or GM's were the same, so it looks like yours is an aftermarket install.

I know base Grand Marquis GS's didn't always come with overhead consoles, so that's why I figured it might be factory. I read another thread on how to identify if Marauders left the factory "incomplete" and were shipped to ASC. Is there a way to find that for GM's & CV's?

[champ1173]

This is how the short console looks.

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y459/champ1173/045_zps771322d7.jpg (http://s1275.photobucket.com/user/champ1173/media/045_zps771322d7.jpg.html)

[Bad_S55]

Every time I shut off the ignition the roof goes & does the hokey pokey. If I time it right, I can hit any button, it'll stop moving & make a seal.

[Bad_S55]

As you can see, no overhead console. The Grand Marquis GS's weren't usually equipped with 'em, even with a sunroof.

[Spectragod]

I know base Grand Marquis GS's didn't always come with overhead consoles, so that's why I figured it might be factory. I read another thread on how to identify if Marauders left the factory "incomplete" and were shipped to ASC. Is there a way to find that for GM's & CV's?

Crown North America did the final upfit on the panther platform cars, not ASC.


As you can see, no overhead console. The Grand Marquis GS's weren't usually equipped with 'em, even with a sunroof.

That is an aftermarket roof. There are adjustment for the glass, and shop that does sunroof upfits can align it.

[loud2004marquis]

Here is a pic from my 2004 Grand Marquis that had an OEM moonroof, came with overhead console.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/844796/fullsize/dsc00450.jpg

[Bad_S55]

I guess mine could be a dealer install? Is there a stand alone fuse box for it somewhere, or is it in the regular fuse panel? I've got the sunroof closed & sealed for now, and if I can keep it from moving at all, it'd be perfect.

[fastblackmerc]

I guess mine could be a dealer install? Is there a stand alone fuse box for it somewhere, or is it in the regular fuse panel? I've got the sunroof closed & sealed for now, and if I can keep it from moving at all, it'd be perfect.

Your guess is as good as ours. Start tracing wires. Switch might be bad.

[LSp8]

I wished mines had a moonroof. Stupid how this was such a rare option for such a nice car. I can get a camry accord or civic with a sunroof all day long but a panther, one in every 2,000 smh

[fastblackmerc]

I wished mines had a moonroof. Stupid how this was such a rare option for such a nice car. I can get a camry accord or civic with a sunroof all day long but a panther, one in every 2,000 smh

I see your 2 caddies and Charger don't have moonroofs..... :D

The moonroof was a costly option and an already expensive car. I assume alot of original owners didn't want to spend the extra coin.

I'd also assume a majority of MM's were not "made to order" and the dealership wanted to keep the cost of the MM down when they ordered them.

As for the ricers you mentioned, they are cheap and adding 1 or 2K worth of upgrades still keeps the vehicle in the ballpark for most owners.

The moonroof option was only available in 2004.

[Bad_S55]

As nice as it is to have, it's also a huge pain. They can leak, lose their allignment, and like what happened to me, the module can die. That's why I like what Ford did with the glass roof option on the Mustangs. You still get to have the light come in, but you don't have to worry about leaks!!

[fastblackmerc]

As nice as it is to have, it's also a huge pain. They can leak, lose their allignment, and like what happened to me, the module can die. That's why I like what Ford did with the glass roof option on the Mustangs. You still get to have the light come in, but you don't have to worry about leaks!!

The cars I've had (and have) with moonroofs:

1997 T-Bird
2004 Marauder
2007 Dodge Charger
2005 Mazda RX8 (daughters)
2010 GMC Sierra (son's)

Not one ever had a leak, alignment or any other issue.

[LSp8]

I see your 2 caddies and Charger don't have moonroofs..... :D

The moonroof was a costly option and an already expensive car. I assume alot of original owners didn't want to spend the extra coin.

I'd also assume a majority of MM's were not "made to order" and the dealership wanted to keep the cost of the MM down when they ordered them.

As for the ricers you mentioned, they are cheap and adding 1 or 2K worth of upgrades still keeps the vehicle in the ballpark for most owners.

The moonroof option was only available in 2004.


I wouldn't pay that kind of money for a new car without a moonroof. Fyi both of my Caddies have a moonroof too and the 10' Charger is my police car/mobile office lol. I'm shopping for a new 15' Charger RT and every Plus and Premium RT I've seen so far has one, only the base RT is rarely equipped with one.

[MENINBLK]

All Marauders, even 2004 Marauders, had their moon roofs installed
by the dealer. None of the cars came with an OEM moon roof.

[Spectragod]

All Marauders, even 2004 Marauders, had their moon roofs installed
by the dealer. None of the cars came with an OEM moon roof.

Please provide your source for that info, as it is way off base.

[fastblackmerc]

All Marauders, even 2004 Marauders, had their moon roofs installed
by the dealer. None of the cars came with an OEM moon roof.

Don't know where you got your info, but it's all wrong.

2004 was the ONLY year the moonroof option was available for the Marauder.

If your 2003 Marauder has a moonroof, it's an aftermarket install.

No factory moonroofs were "dealer installed".

If a moonroof was ordered, the VIN specifies an incomplete vehicle. The car was then sent to the outside company to install the moonroof before it was shipped to the dealer.

[Bluerauder]

All Marauders, even 2004 Marauders, had their moon roofs installed
by the dealer. None of the cars came with an OEM moon roof.

My understanding of this is that in 2004, those Marauders with a "2MHHM ..." VIN left the factory as "incomplete" vehicles (i.e. being denoted with the "H" as the 3rd digit). These cars were sent directly from the factory to have the moonroof installed at a separate after-market installer before being sent on to the dealers. The moonroof and its price addition shows on the MSRP window sticker. Since the moonroof install was DONE FOR the factory at the request/contracted by FORD, it is considered an OEM moonroof. That's MHO and I'm sticking with it.

Any 2003 MMs (all with '2MEHM..." VINs) that you find with a moonroof was a true after-market install and was not OEM.

[loud2004marquis]

^^^what they both said^^^

[champ1173]

My window sticker shows that mine came w a sunroof.

[Bluerauder]

My window sticker shows that mine came w a sunroof.

Check your window sticker again. Bet it says "moonroof". Your VIN also starts with "2MHHM ...", right ??

[fastblackmerc]

My window sticker shows that mine came w a sunroof.

Sunroof is a moveable metal panel.

Moonroof is a moveable glass panel.

[champ1173]

SOB! I hate it when I say stupid stuff! Probably not the first today. Yes! It says Moonroof, and not Sunroof, (See pic below) and Yes, my vin starts with 2MHHM.
http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y459/champ1173/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-05/20150526_230230_zpsdlfpgy1g.jp g (http://s1275.photobucket.com/user/champ1173/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-05/20150526_230230_zpsdlfpgy1g.jp g.html)

[MOTOWN]

The funny part is the price! a comparable car today would be 50K at least!

[Bluerauder]

The funny part is the price! a comparable car today would be 50K at least!

I don't think this ^^^^ is true at all. :P The Marauder was overpriced in 2003 at $35K after being "previewed" in the magazines with a target price near $30K. According to Steve Babcock at MV III, Elena Ford artificially jacked up the price to $35K for no reason other than profit. FORD was making $10,000 on the sale of every MM at the MSRP sticker. This may also be why I was able to snag mine for $27.5K.

As much as I love my Marauder, it really does not have much in the way of amenities or "bells & whistles". I notice this fact every time I transition from the Taurus SHO to the Marauder. For $50K today, I would expect a whole heck of a lot more.

By way of comparison, my '12 SHO was MSRP stickered at closer to $44K. I paid $37K and the differences are quite evident ....

73 more HP
32 more TQ
Moonroof
Heated AND Cooled Seats
Bluetooth/SYNC
Rear Back-Up Camera
Collision Avoidance warning system
Adaptive Cruise Control
Power & USB ports
50% more trunk space
Dual Climate control
Adjustable Ambient Lighting

.... I know there is more; but I can't remember everything.

For the record, I rarely use the moonroof at all. If I do, it is usually in the popped/vent mode and NEVER fully opened. If it was gone, I wouldn't really miss it.

[MOTOWN]

I don't think this ^^^^ is true at all. :P The Marauder was overpriced in 2003 at $35K after being "previewed" in the magazines with a target price near $30K. According to Steve Babcock at MV III, Elena Ford artificially jacked up the price to $35K for no reason other than profit. FORD was making $10,000 on the sale of every MM at the MSRP sticker. This may also be why I was able to snag mine for $27.5K.

As much as I love my Marauder, it really does not have much in the way of amenities or "bells & whistles". I notice this fact every time I transition from the Taurus SHO to the Marauder. For $50K today, I would expect a whole heck of a lot more.

By way of comparison, my '12 SHO was MSRP stickered at closer to $44K. I paid $37K and the differences are quite evident ....

73 more HP
32 more TQ
Moonroof
Heated AND Cooled Seats
Bluetooth/SYNC
Rear Back-Up Camera
Collision Avoidance warning system
Adaptive Cruise Control
Power & USB ports
50% more trunk space
Dual Climate control
Adjustable Ambient Lighting

.... I know there is more; but I can't remember everything.

For the record, I rarely use the moonroof at all. If I do, it is usually in the popped/vent mode and NEVER fully opened. If it was gone, I wouldn't really miss it.

Notice i said "Comparable car Today" The Marauder is over 10 years old! so it would be a bit more advanced in todays car market , look at current 4dr RWD cars and see what 35K gets you other than the cheapest Shatt on the lot!:alone:

[justbob]

The only dealer that had Marauders in stock by me had five blacks, all with moonroofs, and a sticker of $38,500! They wouldn't budge on price and when I went back a couple weeks later to drool some more, all were gone.

There is little to no bargaining in the Chicago area. In fact, anything special is usually marked up $10,000 or more! (Harley trucks, and GT500's when they debuted come to mind)


Builder Of Badassery

[Bluerauder]

As nice as it is to have, it's also a huge pain. They can leak, lose their allignment, and like what happened to me, the module can die. That's why I like what Ford did with the glass roof option on the Mustangs. You still get to have the light come in, but you don't have to worry about leaks!!

On the positive side, a leaking moonroof on my '94 Thunderbird was one of the reasons why I was able to get the Marauder. The T-Bird moonroof started to leak when the car was about 8 years old. The rubber seal had dried out and shrunk to open up a 1/8 inch gap in the seal. During heavy rains, water would drip down onto the passenger seat. This was NOT a problem for me; but the wife saw it as a major problem since it was over her head. :o I plugged the gap with silicone caulking a couple times. I even used chewing gum in an emergency. :rolleyes:

After one particularly wet day when she got dumped on, the wife said "When are you gonna get a new car ??" and "Why don't you go look at those Marauder cars that you and your son have been talking about "?? Finally, she said "It's about time that you get a car that you REALLY WANT". It was blank check day and I came home that afternoon with the Bluerauder.

So, leaking moonroofs can actually be a GOOD thing. ;)

[champ1173]

I don't think this ^^^^ is true at all. :P The Marauder was overpriced in 2003 at $35K after being "previewed" in the magazines with a target price near $30K. According to Steve Babcock at MV III, Elena Ford artificially jacked up the price to $35K for no reason other than profit. FORD was making $10,000 on the sale of every MM at the MSRP sticker. This may also be why I was able to snag mine for $27.5K.

As much as I love my Marauder, it really does not have much in the way of amenities or "bells & whistles". I notice this fact every time I transition from the Taurus SHO to the Marauder. For $50K today, I would expect a whole heck of a lot more.

By way of comparison, my '12 SHO was MSRP stickered at closer to $44K. I paid $37K and the differences are quite evident ....

73 more HP
32 more TQ
Moonroof
Heated AND Cooled Seats
Bluetooth/SYNC
Rear Back-Up Camera
Collision Avoidance warning system
Adaptive Cruise Control
Power & USB ports
50% more trunk space
Dual Climate control
Adjustable Ambient Lighting

.... I know there is more; but I can't remember everything.

For the record, I rarely use the moonroof at all. If I do, it is usually in the popped/vent mode and NEVER fully opened. If it was gone, I wouldn't really miss it.

Ha! I rarely use my moonroof either, and usually just pop it up. Hence my reason for my sunroof mistake. "Victory is mine!"

My step Dad just bought a 2015 Explorer Twin Turbo Sport, In White Platinum Metallic, for around $44,000. The paint is pretty cool, especially in the sunlight. It's got all kinds of bells and whistles, but I just found out this past weekend that it had a twin turbo, and that it's AWD. He took me for a ride in it, and I couldn't believe how quick this thing was! 365hp! Holy crap on a stick! It weighs at least 300pnds heavier than the Marauder, and pulls a 14.5 in the quarter, stock! With the mods I have done, and the recent 4.10 install, I don't know if I could beat him in a race. This does not make me happy at all! :mad2:It looks like I'm gonna have to get boosted here soon! If I had a choice between the Explorer, and the SHO, I think I'd choose the SHO. Oh yeah, it has a moonroof too!

[Bluerauder]

My step Dad just bought a 2015 Explorer Twin Turbo Sport .... It weighs at least 300pnds heavier than the Marauder, and pulls a 14.5 in the quarter, stock!

The 2003 MM brochure shows the Marauder curb weight as 4,164 pounds. The '15 SHO is 163 pounds heavier at 4,327. The '15 Explorer is 279 pounds more at 4,443. The Explorer is only about 116 pounds more than the SHO using base curb weights. The SHO is closer to a 13.5 second car.

[CoreyM75]

I use the moonroof all the time, it's a great feature. My first Marauder didn't have one, at the time I thought that it would reduce headroom. Now I wouldn't buy another car without one. My Sport doesn't have one, and I regret not finding one with a moonroof. My wife liked the Marauders moonroof so much that she had one installed on her 2014 FJ Cruiser.

[lji372]

i love my moonroof, it's the perfect place to tape a taxi sign :D

[MENINBLK]

As long as your glass panel drops into a frame mounted in your roof, it is not an OEM roof.
OEM moonroofs drop right into a well in the roof.

[MENINBLK]

My understanding of this is that in 2004, those Marauders with a "2MHHM ..." VIN left the factory as "incomplete" vehicles (i.e. being denoted with the "H" as the 3rd digit). These cars were sent directly from the factory to have the moonroof installed at a separate after-market installer before being sent on to the dealers. The moonroof and its price addition shows on the MSRP window sticker. Since the moonroof install was DONE FOR the factory at the request/contracted by FORD, it is considered an OEM moonroof. That's MHO and I'm sticking with it.

Any 2003 MMs (all with '2MEHM..." VINs) that you find with a moonroof was a true after-market install and was not OEM.

Exactly !!