I have a 1996 Limited that I bought about 6 weeks ago. The rear/back/tailgate window won't move when I press the switch. I've searched the threads, but still don't have a solution.

It is NOT the window lock (I pushed the button on driver's side door)

The window motor works (I pulled it out and applied 12V and it turned smoothly)

It is not the switch up front on the center console (tested the contacts per the Haynes manual)

The key switch in tailgate does NOT work. (tried it, but it doesn't do anything either)

All of the fuses look good.

I also put a voltmeter on the connection to the motor and had my dad flip the switch in the cab and there was no electrical change.

This leads me to believe that it is a problem somewhere in the middle of the switches and the motor...perhaps a relay? control unit? I don't know of a schematic to know where a relay might be.

Any thoughts?

Read Rear window won't roll down My post, #12, may help.

When your rear window was "intermittent" did your key in the tailgate still roll down the window or was that intermittent as well?

Do you know if there is a relay between the switch (either key switch or cab switch) or can I test for electrical continuity from the motor to the switches?

I know what the problem is. The switch in the center cosole got fried when my drink fell on it I can't find the part does anyone have one for sale 1991 sr5 4runner????!!!

check for broken wires in the flex line between the hatch and the body. I would guess you problem will be obvious. I have a few broken wires in there (3rd brakelight- left it broken, and the lock- same deal just left it)

It was the wires for me too, three were cracked, one was broken.

Thanks, should have checked the forum hours ago.

Still haven’t really found a straight answer for my situation either. Rear wiper and window both don’t work, but washer fluid and defrost works. When I push the rear window down button I can hear a clicking sound(assuming a relay) coming from the back somewhere near the hatch. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Have you checked the wiring?

Check out the pics on page two of this thread I posted a while back.

Damn window lock got me a few days after I bought my 4runner!

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Yea I checked that last night, little bit of the insulation is cracked but no broken copper threads. Put some electrical tape on it. Maybe I’ll have to dig deeper.

Did you find the culprit?

I'm having the same issue. My wiper and rear defroster work. When I hit the switch, I can hear the relay click. I checked the loom on the tailgate, had a few broken wires but I repaired them, still the window won't roll down.

I have researched for a few months now and nothing comes up with everything working besides the window. Im going to test the power from the relay to the motor to rule out any issues with the wiring. If i get power, then im going to conclude the motor is bad and replace it.

Anyone else have any ideas to contribute?

Seattle, did you happen to find the issue and fix?

My rear window on my 3rd gen recently stopped working but I could hear buzzing/clicking in the rear of the truck so my assumption was power was reaching the target but for some reason the window wouldn't go down. My rear wiper also works just fine - to note. I thought to raise the gate and then try rolling down the window again from inside the cab and IT WORKED! This made me think there might be an issue with the wiring harness that comes from inside the truck to the back gate which is easily seen when you raised the gate. I pulled back this rubber shroud and the ground wire was snapped in two, power wire not far off. Opening the hatch must have pushed the ground together to make contact.

I am going to solder some fresh wire in here to keep the length and rubber wrap it.

Maybe this will help!

Seattle, did you happen to find the issue and fix?

My rear window on my 3rd gen recently stopped working but I could hear buzzing/clicking in the rear of the truck so my assumption was power was reaching the target but for some reason the window wouldn't go down. My rear wiper also works just fine - to note. I thought to raise the gate and then try rolling down the window again from inside the cab and IT WORKED! This made me think there might be an issue with the wiring harness that comes from inside the truck to the back gate which is easily seen when you raised the gate. I pulled back this rubber shroud and the ground wire was snapped in two, power wire not far off. Opening the hatch must have pushed the ground together to make contact.

I am going to solder some fresh wire in here to keep the length and rubber wrap it.

Maybe this will help!

Sounds like you're on the right path, but just odd if you're hearing clicking the wiring repair wouldn't fix it. If you did fix this (as this is an older thread) what did you find out? I'm having issues with mine on my 3rd gen and my wires are also split.

Yeah, I figured out what it was. After I repaired the broken wires, I found that the window motor was bad. I ruled out the window switch since I was get a reading at the tail gate. I sourced a used window motor and replaced it, all is well now. The rear window has been working for almost 2 years.

What I think happened is the broken wire shorted the window motor.

Find a used motor and let me know if that fixed it.