KeysRx300

Today coming to work today I heard a random clicking noise coming from the center sunroof / control button area in the roof. It only happens a few times a minute. It almost sounds like a mechanical relay clicking on and off. I looked at the sunroof area. but didnt see anything.

mikey00

I remember a lot of discussion on this about 2 years ago on one of the Lexus boards. Try doing a search here or over at Edmunds and you may come up with something.
I think it is mainly 2001 RX's and there is a TSB out on the problem. The problem occurs when the car sits in the sun for a while and the sunroof heats up. Then when you start the car and turn on the a/c, the sunroof makes a snapping sound as it cools down. If you close the cover the a/c never reaches the sunroof and the noise does not occur. I had mine to the dealer for this problem about 3 or 4 times and I still hear it once and awhile.

KeysRx300

Thanks for the info. I just purchased this CPO 2001 RX300. And I played with it this past weekend. It seems like the plastic edge piece around the interior side of the sunroof is too close to the glass. I drove around with the AC and stereo off. And you can squeze and push on the plastic. And almost make it click on command. I will be taking it back in for some other work next week. And I will let them know about it and the other things ive found. Thanks agian for your help.

parula

Keys, you probably have the same problem I had on the '99. The black hard plastic inner drip protector (I guess) was set so close to the glass it cracked with friction whenever there was a temp change. Thankfully they fixed it on the '03 and there is a small gap to the glass allowing expansion without noise. Course there is now more windshield wind noise IMO but that's another issue.