Rear liftgate window has a mind of its own!

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krebbykreb

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So I have been having this issue with the rear liftgate window.. Every once in a while I will open the tailgate for something then as soon as I close it the window rolls down. The problem is that when I get in the vehicle the next time and drive around I can roll the window up but the second I turn the key to off the window rolls down again. It happens for a few days then it works fine then it messes up again!! I currently have a garage but am moving to a house that does not have one and the snow will be around soon and I cant have it rolling down randomly!

If anyone has any input as to what It could be let me know!! Thank you all!
 
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Is it retracting under power, with the motor actually winding it down? Or is it just sliding down?

If it's just sliding down, you should check pull the interior panel off and check if the tension spring has popped off. It's pretty easy to see, just a black coil spring on the driver's side arm. A week or two ago another guy posted about his window being crooked, and his spring had come off for some reason.

If it's winding itself down under power, no idea. Check for shorts in the switches and wiring harness. Worst case, to keep the snow out, unplug the harness behind the rear panel so it doesn't do it anymore.
 
krebbykreb said:
So I have been having this issue with the rear liftgate window.. Every once in a while I will open the tailgate for something then as soon as I close it the window rolls down. The problem is that when I get in the vehicle the next time and drive around I can roll the window up but the second I turn the key to off the window rolls down again. It happens for a few days then it works fine then it messes up again!! I currently have a garage but am moving to a house that does not have one and the snow will be around soon and I cant have it rolling down randomly!

If anyone has any input as to what It could be let me know!! Thank you all!
Click to expand...

If it happens right when you close it, it almost sounds as if the rear hatch keyhole switch is doing it by malfunction. When you hold your key twisted in the hatch lock it rolls the rear window up or down, depending on the way you twist, clockwise or counter. I am guessing there is an issue with the mechanism / switch in there.
 
I'm sure you probably aren't as silly as I am, but I had a similar problem where the rear window would seemingly randomly roll itself down. I discovered the issue was the small pocket knife I keep on my keychain was occasionally pushing the window button on the key fob. So, yeah... make sure it isn't that.... :whistle:
 
About 2 years ago the same thing happened while camping - when we got back to the 'runner the rear window was down....except it would not go back up at all. I ended up macgyvering it with minimal tools on the spot and never looked back.
There is a little 4" long wiring harness between the hatch lock cylinder and the hatch wiring harness. The part that connects to the lock cylinder has probably started shorting (rolling the window down). I simply removed the harness with good intentions of replacing it (I have not yet).
The window still works with the switch, obviously no longer with the key in the back...
Pull the panel and you'll be able to get to it without much trouble.
 
So I just got linked to this post and had the same ghost issue. Motor was warm to the touch. Unclipped the power, used a power probe to make the motor go back up. Hot to red, ground the green. Deal with it another day......
 
not a 3rd gen...but 2nd gens were terrible for rear window not working....just hard wired it to a switch and controlled it manually. Could do the same thing here....fast...cheap...no issues.
 
I seem to be having a similar problem and would definitely appreciate some input. I went for a drive this morning and the window rolled it self down about a minute into the drive. Looked through some threads on this and haven't found any thing quite like what mine is doing.

When ignition is on it has constant power to window motor to roll it down regardless of center council switch being plugged in or not.

When motor power is plugged in rear defrost, wiper and rear squirt don't work.

When motor is unplugged all but wiper work.

Disconnected the key switch from that hatch. No help.

Not the window lock.

Checked the loom near the 3rd brake light found couple exposed wires, taped them up, no help

Checked all fuses, all good.

Only thing I can think of is the control unit needs to be replaced.
 
A known failure point is where wires leave the hatch enter the body at hinge.
Wires are known to break inside of wire jacket from raising and lowering hatch.
causes crazy stuff.
Has happened to me and a few others here & Yotatech.
 
96RedRunner said:
Have you checked the up/down limit switches.
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I have checked the wiring exiting the body entering the tailgate, a few wires had cracked jacketing, I tapped them up. I also checked the limit switch, I did notice you said limit switch(es). Is there more than one?

Thanks for the reply!
 
JB1KN said:
I have checked the wiring exiting the body entering the tailgate, a few wires had cracked jacketing, I tapped them up. I also checked the limit switch, I did notice you said limit switch(es). Is there more than one?

Thanks for the reply!
Click to expand...

What goes up must come down, right. I haven't checked the EWD, part assumption both ends would have limits.
In my case wires were broken inside of wire insulation, not exposed. had to use VOM meter to find problem.
 
96RedRunner said:
What goes up must come down, right. I haven't checked the EWD, part assumption both ends would have limits.
In my case wires were broken inside of wire insulation, not exposed. had to use VOM meter to find problem.
Click to expand...


I can only find one limit switch, I'm guessing it controls both ends....? I'm not very good with wiring but am very interested in how you located your problem wires.

New development, the rear wiper worked randomly and briefly while working with the center council. I tried to reproduce by moving wires in that area didn't work.....

Also, previously the doors would lock when the car was started and unlock when turned off. It has been doing and not doing this randomly.

Any chance this has something to do with the security system?
 
I found my problem by using a volt ohm meter and the FSM wiring diagrams.
You can download FSM thru the forum, page 176 details operational conditions for rear hatch to work.
It is near impossible to explain how to troubleshoot electrical circuits or how they work over the net.
My advice is download FSM
the electrical section is toward bottom of document. FSM is very informative, also shows you how to use a volt/ohm meter, troubleshoot circuits.
Best of luck
 
96RedRunner said:
I found my problem by using a volt ohm meter and the FSM wiring diagrams.
You can download FSM thru the forum, page 176 details operational conditions for rear hatch to work.
It is near impossible to explain how to troubleshoot electrical circuits or how they work over the net.
My advice is download FSM
the electrical section is toward bottom of document. FSM is very informative, also shows you how to use a volt/ohm meter, troubleshoot circuits.
Best of luck
Click to expand...

Awesome! Thanks for the help.
 
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