OK..did a full test on my sunroof today, here are the results.
Popping up the sunroof by pushing the button straight up - you have to hold the button until it's all the way up.
Closing it down again, pushing the button forward - again, you have to hold it until the roof is completely down.
Opening the roof rearward by pulling the button briefly towards the rear - the roof opens up almost all the way, stopping about 2 inches from the end. At this point the deflector hasn't deployed. Pull it towards the rear again and it opens all the way and pops up the deflector.
Closing the roof by briefly pressing the button forward - the roof closes completely on it's own.
This is on a Canadian SX Sedan.