Is there a way to test sunroof function without power?

so i've got to pull the headliner down from the 3gen to figure out where the sunroof is leaking from, i figure while i'm in there i might as well replace the sunroof if i can find a working one at the local pic n pull (there are 3 3rd gen 4runners there, fingers crossed).

my motor works fine (or at least makes the sounds and clicks) but the worm gears are likely seized and caked and all the fun things. after watching and reading about how to free them up, and needing to do it in a weekend at most as its my daily driver (and no garage), i've landed on finding a working sunroof to replace the whole assembly rather than refurbing mine.

i figure that since my motor still works if i can crank the sunroof by hand (tool) then that should be good enough to pull and replace mine right?

any thoughts or confirmation or denials are appreciated - moderately handy and learning more day by day but not ready to tackle removing worm gears with limited time

thanks to all, i know sunroofs are a common problem and vex many, theres a ton of info and opinions on the web of course offering / suggesting all kinds of different opinions and options

 

The yard will probably already have the sunroof removed as a complete unit or they will do it themselves. They usually will NOT let anyone else remove them as bonehead customers just ruin everything trying to get what they need.

As such, if you take a 12v battery, some alligator clips, and know what wires are power and ground, you can probably test it right there.

 

thats a good point, and as a self described bonehead in many ways i reckon that they've got the right idea. i'll give them a call first and see what the situation is, and if its a go then bring the 12v and alligators too.

thanks!

 

dang just got back and the sunroof had already been pulled. and i found out they don't do the pre-pulling. the other 2 were no sunroof 3rd gens unfortunately

 

Search here: https://www.car-part.com/noninterchange.htm

This is where I go to find nearby yards with parts I need.

 

awesome, thank you.

dang, looks like everything is in AZ, might need to take a road trip out that way then

 

Call around locally then. Sounds like you're in California? Gotta be some bone yards with more 4Runners in them out there.