Okay, I know this subject's been brought up who-knows-how-many times, but I'm still looking for help.

The tailgate window (surfer window) on my '90 4Runner goes up and down just fine using the console switch.

But using the key in the tailgate switch, the window goes down, but will not go back up when turning the key the other way.

Some guy on some other 4Runner forum sent me a part a couple of years ago, some little electrical thing with two wires sticking out. I've no idea what the thing is or where it'd go.

Toyota dealer says the switch, itself, is no longer available for order, and they say it can't be repaired. And frankly, they don't seem all that interested/eager about removing panels and looking at wiring and such.

Bottom line? No one seems to know what the problem is.

I'm not concerned with what it might cost to fix it. I'd just like to find a solution to the problem.

Thoughts? Ideas? Source for parts?

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1st thing you have to do is pull the panel off the rear gate period from there you will be able to work your way to the switch. Not sure what the part is the guy sent you, but the piece that's in there most likely can be cleaned up and put back together. If not you could pick one up from a local wrecking yard and swap it in and most likely have it work again. I could try and get some photos for you. Families out of town for the weekend so I might be able to go to the wrecking yard and even find you a good working switch.

I'd genuinely appreciate any help you could offer. Thanks so much for replying to my post. If you actually found me a switch, I'd be more than willing to pay you for it and pay for shipping. Even if it didn't fix my problem, at least it would eliminate one cause, right?

I've looked at wrecking yards, and have actually not found one single 4Runner with that switch in the tailgate. Seriously.

I have a '94. My console switch and key hard a hard time rolling it down. Never had trouble rolling it up. It would click when I tried bringing it down. I ended up finding a different console switch but I still had the same problem. I ended up swapping out the module and it fixed my problem. Rolls up and down with both switch and key. Its behind the driver side rear panel. Right behind the little cubby storage. Just be super careful removing the panel. I broke some clips that hold it in place. They're pretty fragile. It still holds but knowing they are broken irritates me.

if you need pics, let me know. I still have my panel off.

So - have the issue of console switch AND tailgate key not working, and went to one of the older threads (can't find it now) and run4yota had the following advice from 2011 for the tailgate key -

Remove back spoiler and to expose wiper arm, open cover and remove wiper arm (10mm nut.) Then start the engine and turn on the rear wiper for 5-10 seconds. turn off wiper and engine - try out the tailgate key. It just worked perfectly for me.

Apparently, in order for the tailgate window to work, the wiper blade has to be in the "fully up" position. Doing the above reset the sensor and now the window goes down with the key! Thanks, run4yota (if he's still here.)

Now for the console switch - all ears if anyone has the answer.

FWIW, on mine it was the relay slowly going out, just the up relay, 15 years ago when I bought it.

I believe there are 6 relays on that board on the driver's side side panel. I bought a used one off of eBay, and it has worked great since.

But at the time my experience was that while it was going out, it wouldn't work with the key, but would at the console, while the truck was running. Basically there is more voltage when the engine is on, and so that little extra helped out. This was on a rainy and then snowy winter trip to Yosemite, where we really needed access to the back.

I've never had issue with the rear wiper sensor, but have had issues with the power of the motor, especially when cold like on a brisk ski morning. Again, it works better from inside with the engine on. I've replaced the motor a few times with used ones, which have helped. But the best is to clean the window, and the tracks, spraying silicone on them. Getting rid of pebbles and sap, and slicking up those tracks, makes it work well.

Some people bypass the key switch or even the relay. You just need voltage, in the right polarity, to the motor to make it go up or down.

And I have this page bookmarked, which gives this info and more: 4Runner Rear Window Cheap Tricks

You can jump the rear safety just by pulling off the rear interior cover where you rear light is (two screws and plug if i remember) and you can jump two pins in the factory harness to the rear wiper to pass the safety feature.

You'll have to look up the pins I forgot but his was an easy way for me to determine mine was not recognizing "home".

Second issue with it, the fuses kept blowing for the wipers which blows the rear window fuse because i had a bad wiper talk on the column

finally and most recently i replaced the switch because i spilled some water in there and it shorted

All of these issues fixed a problem with the rear window throughout the past year or two