There was a strange rattling sound in the sc430 (2005) I purchased, so we took it to a friend of ours who was a mechanic. He pulled it apart and reported to us that the head gaskets were a little misaligned or perhaps bent? To be honest I don't understand him much as english is his second language and I am totally inept at all things cars. Anyway, he assured us the car was fine to drive and that if we really wanted it fixed we should take it to the dealership, but that it would cost us a lot of money. I chose to drive the car anyway because I didn't mind the noise so much.

However, the very day I got the car back from him I realized that my windows no longer were automatic. They still worked and went down if held-- but the windows did not go down automatically when tapped. I figured I just had to reset something-- but then I tried to put the hardtop down, and I realized something even stranger--it wouldn't budge, AND the RED LIGHT indicator was not beeping or telling me of any issues. It seems like the buttons not even live.

I checked the valet sensors and the trunk and everything is fine. Even still, if it were those things we know we would get a chime and a red light on the button. I am getting no activity at all.

So I took it to the dealership for 200 and they confirmed that 1. our mechanic was right about the gaskets, and that it would not be worth it to fix, and 2. the sliding roof ecu was shorted.

They offered to fix the problem for 1300. I was wondering if it is as easy as buying a sliding roof ecu off of ebay and just going into the trunk to plug it in. Is there anything else I should be aware of? Taking out the battery prior? Etc. Or is it more complicated than I think it is.

Thanks in advanced guys!

 

Head gaskets are a very expensive fix but I have never heard of them causing a rattle...its not physically possible. Are you sure you are understanding them correctly?

as for the roof problem, I remember a thread on that subject and I thought it could be an easy fix. Have you searched CL for those words?

 

i think he is talking exhaust manifold gaskets at the cylinder heads.

 

Aw yes- it might be this. I apologize to everyone for the confusion.

 

No, to be completely honest I most likely am not understanding this correctly haha. Sorry for the confusion, again I wish I had a better standing when it came to cars. I have searched well before I even brought the car into the dealership! I tried all of the reccomendations such as getting an allen wrench and manually trying to bring the top down to reset the ECU etc. I also noticed no one else complained about the inability to use automatic windows. Some people don't have automatic windows, and some people don't have the red indication light but I haven't been able to find anyone who has BOTH problems.

I already purchased a Sliding Roof ECU. I was just wondering if there was something I really had to keep in mind before going at it, and I was wondering if this automatic window problem was related in any way.

 

i had the same exact problem you have, auto window would not roll down and convertible top would not work. Before you start taking things apart, disconnect the battery. The process of replacing the roof ecu is very easy and straight forward. Once you are done replacing the roof ecu, your auto window down will work. If you have any questions just let me know.