No nothing I checked all of the connections three times now. I have no idea what happened... I can open it manually by rolling the rear window down, popping an access panel off, and pulling up on the door release on the inside of the panel.

Maybe try and reinitialize the window. I think you manually run window down then up and hold button for 3 or so seconds. One of those power window safety feature things

FSM here:

Service Manual Download Links.

Title:
INITIALIZATION OF BACK DOOR1. Turn ignition switch to the "ON" position.
2. Push the back door power window switch to the "DOWN" side to open the window.
3. Push and hold the back door power window switch to the "UP" side until the window closes. Continue holding it for approximately 1 second.
4. Check for proper operation of the "one-touch open/close" functions by pushing the switch briefly to the "DOWN" and "UP" positions.
NOTE :Jam protection function becomes effective through the above initialization procedure.

If the reset/relearn procedure doesn't work:

INSPECTION PROCEDURE
PROCEDURE
INSPECT BACK DOOR LOCK
(a) Check that the back door fully closes (fully locked) when the door is closed by hand.
NG -- IMPROPER FIT OF BACK DOOR, OR A FOREIGN OBJECT IS STUCK IN BACK DOOR
OK -- Continue to next step.
POWER SOURCE RESET
(a) Disconnect the POWER DOOR 30A fuse and reconnect it. 10 seconds later, check that the back door closer is operational.
OK -- NORMAL
NG -- Continue to next step.
INSPECT WITH MOTOR BACK DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY
(a) Check operation of the door lock.
(1) Using a screwdriver, push the latch in order to put the back door lock in the locked condition (full-latch position).
(2) Connect the positive (+) lead to terminal 1 and the negative (-) lead to terminal 2. Then, check operation of the latch.
Standard:
The latch turns to the open-latch position
(3) Inspect motor operation when battery voltage is applied to the terminals.
Standard:
(b) Check the back door courtesy switch continuity.
(1) Check the continuity between the terminals of the courtesy switch.
Standard:
(c) Check the back door latch switch continuity.
(1) Check the continuity between the terminals of the latch switch.
Standard:
(d) Check the position switch continuity.
(1) Connect the battery positive (+) lead to connector terminal 1 and the negative (-) lead to connector terminal 2.
Standard:
OK -- REPLACE WITH MOTOR BACK DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY
NG -- Continue to next step.
CHECK WIRE HARNESS (BACK DOOR LOCK - BACK BODY ECU)
(a) Disconnect the B7 back door lock and B9 back door ECU connectors.
(b) Check the continuity between the terminals of the back door lock (B7) and back door ECU (B9) connectors.
Standard (Check for open) :
OK -- REPLACE MULTIPLEX NETWORK DOOR ECU
NG -- REPAIR OR REPLACE HARNESS OR CONNECTOR


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i have the same issue with my tailgate and have crawled inside and removed all the plastic covers and opened the tailgate... removed the motor and lubricated it, have also tested the motor alone and seems to be working very well yet the switch is not that good. i was actually thinking of replacing the lock from lock assist to a normal lock but i was wondering if anybody had tried that or know if there will be any drawback!! plz advise

You can always remove the panel on the gate, and use the manual release lever inside.

My 2006 4runner experienced the "exploding rear window" trick the other day which apparently caused the liftgate handle to stop working. The cause was the above-mentioned "Sleep Mode". The vehicle protects itself from further damage and Toyota charges $150 to wake it up

Also found out that if you disconnect the battery it kills your radio and a security code is needed to enable it again. I'm the 4runner's original owner and was never given the pin. I heard that Toyota charges a fee to retrieve it.

Toyota has some really ****ed up logic.
For instant, the rear defog will not work until you have calibrated the rear hatch window.

Here's another one. If your O2 is bad your traction control will not work.

Japs are so illogical with software...

Anyone know of a way to open the rear door from the inside?

Yes. Pop off the rear panel access door or just go ahead and remove the whole rear panel from the inside. Just off center towards the bottom you will see a mechanism with what looks like 2 levers. The one closes to the back of the vehicle will open the tail gate. You need to pull the lever up to actuate it while pushing the lift gate to open.

Will try this tomm thanks

Hello everyone,

I don't know exactly when i couldn't open my rear hatch again, but the thing its like this:
- The rear hatch latch and keeps closed.
- When i try to open it, there is a sound of the lock motor trying to release the hook but nothing moves. After some seconds the system locks again.
- I have already removed the cover and opened manually from inside to see all the mechanic parts moving. with rear hatch opened, i manually moved the latch into closed position and then pressing the open button. Latch moves again into open position, but i have notice that if i force a little bit the latch, it will not have force enough to moves to open position.

Any ideas about this issue?

I think I know what you are describing and it sounds like the motor is going out and too week to open up. Also try checking the striker or the fixed loop that the mechanism latches onto just above the bumper. Maybe that has moved.

Thank you for your answer, i also think it's too weak, but fixed loop has not moved...

I just had this happen I was like wtf... Really this helped out immensely thanks to all you awesome t4r'ers who post hear and help save thousnds from having to take to the stealership for somthing so simple !! Thanks again !

Screw driver flathead, wd40! Push down with back window open push down along side the channel, open back hatch will open! Take off black cover where the latch is, and spray wd40 all in there take your flat head close the latch and spray wd40 in all the latch channels, push hatch release button to open the latch then close the hatch door and play with it, it worked for me