4Runner Rear window

[4xrunner]

Just after a little help here.
Spent last week down at Beachport and had a blast.
Anyway the day before I had to pack I could not roll down my rear window with either the key or the switch inside. Well what a predicament out camping with next to no tools and the rear window will not open and I also have a Milford cargo Barrier.
What to do?? I managed to cut up my arm getting the cargo barrier out from the rear seats. with the cargo barrier removed I was able to pull the rear door apart and wind the window down with jumper cables and small peice of wire attach directly to the power window motor (sigh). at least now I can open the back up to pack my shit and get home.
Anyway to cut a long story short the window will go up but not down with the key or switch. I can hear the relays ticking but no power is getting to the motor.
I currently have a peice of wire that is sticking out the tailgate that I need to connect up to the battery to get the windows to go up or down, just reverse the polarity.

Has anyone else had this problem? do I need to replace the control box or is there some other solution??

Cheers for any advice

[TOYRV6]

My window wont go up or down.

I can hear the motor turning, but the window wont budge... the guy i bought the car off said it is the regulator? but i have no idea, I priced a second hand one from the wreckers and they want $100.00. Thought that was a bit steep, considering i dont even know if thats the problem.

[894runa]

4xrunner, had exactly the same problem as you described.

I am pretty sure that your problem is the relays in the circuitboard, as I had the same symptoms as you. Relays clicking when key or console activated. Apparently the factory relays are not really up to the task.

You will need to remove the circuitboard from behind the interior trim panel where the storage box is, in the cargo area to access the circuitboard (the board sits behind the passenger tail light assembly but on inside of cabin frame). Take the board to an auto leccy to get new relays soldered in (or you might be handy enough for DIY). Just be a bit careful when removing the trim, the clips that hold it in are fragile and if you break them like I did the trim will rattle over bumps etc very annoying.

All described here: www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/RearWindow.shtml

[andy777]

i have the same problem with my 4runner, thanks for posting that up 894runa!!

[mattg]

Hi
Check the switches in with the tail gate catches.
there is a small switch in with the catch to make sure that the tail gate is closed before the window glass with raise or lower.
With my Surf the catch became loose and the glass would not operate.
I just bypasted the switches and every thing was OK

Cheers Matt

[4xrunner]

4xrunner, had exactly the same problem as you described.

I am pretty sure that your problem is the relays in the circuitboard, as I had the same symptoms as you. Relays clicking when key or console activated. Apparently the factory relays are not really up to the task.

You will need to remove the circuitboard from behind the interior trim panel where the storage box is, in the cargo area to access the circuitboard (the board sits behind the passenger tail light assembly but on inside of cabin frame). Take the board to an auto leccy to get new relays soldered in (or you might be handy enough for DIY). Just be a bit careful when removing the trim, the clips that hold it in are fragile and if you break them like I did the trim will rattle over bumps etc very annoying.

All described here: www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/RearWindow.shtml (http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/RearWindow.shtml)

Thanks, thats what I was thinking I need to do. I have 1 question as I have never tried I am not sure, if you try and put the window down with the wiper going does it beep like if the tailgate is not fully closed??
Just wondering if it is not recognising the wiper as being fully retracted.

[4xrunner]

Hi
Check the switches in with the tail gate catches.
there is a small switch in with the catch to make sure that the tail gate is closed before the window glass with raise or lower.
With my Surf the catch became loose and the glass would not operate.
I just bypasted the switches and every thing was OK

Cheers Matt

If my tailgate is not colsed properly it emits a loud high pitched beep when I attempt to operate it. Thats not happening in this case. I tried to put it up with the gate open and got the beep.

[4runner4mud]

i ahd dramas with mine too, wouldnt work on internal switch. auto lecos fixed it and its broken again 10 months later! will give it a go my self this time.

[d3m0n1c_4b]

chees, im glad there is other ppl wit these runners, and the problems that go wit them!i hav 1 i love it, but the window wont go up at the switch. works down at the switch, and both up and down wit the key, not sure if its the switch itself or wat u's were talkin bout, i dont think i heard the relay clicking wen i pressed but i stopped tryin it so i cant remember. but thanx anyways and i'l hav to get to it and check it out!

[leprinze]

Just wandering about the rear window operation with the key..........

I can't get mine to work with the key, the switch in the centre console works fine. Does the ignition have to be on for it to work with the key (I know that sounds odd).

Can you operate the window with the key while the ignition is off? If so what could my possible problems be?

Btw, the switch on the centre console is set to on.

Thanks ppl :)

[Crunch]

It's probably THE most common problem with all vintage Runners.

Mine is temperamental... The switch always works, but It usually only goes UP with the Key... Sometimes goes down too.... (Bonus!)

[Oigle]

Another common problem is the interlock switches which are actuated when the side strikers engage (they are in the latch assembly). They tend to fill up with muck and jam, which means even if the door is closed, the controller thinks it is open, so the window won't move. From memory if you disconnect them the window will move. I pulled them out (big pain, have to have the door flat and the glass extended) and opened them up, cleaned them out and re-installed. All dramas gone.
Good Luck

[Struth]

Ahhhh the old dodgy 4 Runner window trick:D

My advice is to make sure the rear window wiper is seated all the way home. this is the most common cause of 4Runnerwindowitis:waycool:

The window will not retract if the the car thinks the wiper is going:)

Cheers

[Trojan]

My advice is to make sure the rear window wiper is seated all the way home. this is the most common cause of 4Runnerwindowitis:waycool:

The window will not retract if the the car thinks the wiper is going:)

Cheers

This was a big problem with my old YN61. Corrugated roads we're all that was needed to get the wiper out of position and stop the rear window from working.

[Trojan]

JI can't get mine to work with the key, the switch in the centre console works fine. Does the ignition have to be on for it to work with the key (I know that sounds odd).

I would guess your key switch in the tailgate is stuffed. It should work at any time.

[Crunch]

Try pulling the key switch from the door and cleaning it free of dust and stuff.....

[Ducky103]

If the switch only moves window one way the switch has dirty contacts. You may be able to pull the switch apart and clean contacts. I have done this before on other makes. Alot cheaper than buying a new switch.

[816 BRD]

same problem, it got slower and slower until it stopt, i went to a wreckers and he said thatit is common in the 4runners so im guessing mine needs a new motor he says..:( they are around 75bucks for a wreckers window motor

[Crunch]

On a different note, has anyone done a manual winder conversion on one of these?