03 4Runner Back Hatch Won't Open

[Toy-Man]

I just finished getting something out of the back of my 4Runner, closed the hatch as usual, heard the moter pull it shut like it always does and now when I try to open it, nothing.

I looked at the fuses that think may affect this and they seem good. I only know of one fuse box and that's in the engine compartment right behind the battery. I also can not open the hatch (unlock) using the key in the door or open the window using the key. I do not hear the hatch locking or unlocking when I press the lock/ulock button. The other doors are working fine. From up front, in the drivers seat, I can open and close the back window but the back wiper will not function.

Has this happened to anyone else. Maybe someone can suggest a remedy. Its under warranty but I hate to bring it to the dealer and leave it there all day for someting that may be simple to fix myself.

-Toy-Man-
'03 V6 4Runner Limited
Metallic Silver
Borla Exhaust
Nifty Catchall Extreme Floormats

 

[EDGE]

If all the fuses seem fine then I could only advise you to take it over to Toyota, it's probably something they could fix on the spot, but the hatch is electrical and so is the rear window, not like the side doors that are mechanical.

Did you try restarting it, shut it off, restart it

 

[Toy-Man]

Yes, I tried everything I could think of, short of disconnecting the battery. Sounds to me like an electrical connection/fuse that involves the hatch key lock/unlock switch as well as the window down with key and rear windo wiper.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[loyd]

.

try disconnecting the battery...chances are thats the first thing the dealer will do anyways

 

[loyd]

.

maybe it will reset itself or something

 

[Guest]

sorry I'm not at my truck right now but is there a fuse panel under the dash that you forgot about?

 

[jgball]

Fuse Box

There is a fuse box below the steering wheel on the left hand side. See page 318 in your owners manual. Maybe the fuse you are looking for is there.

 

[mtnrunner]

My 04 is in the shop now having the tailgate looked at for rattle. Acts like the door is not really even closed. Mine closes pulling the door inward but then pushes it out a cm or two. Does anyones else's do this?

 

[Toy-Man]

Follow-up to Back Door won't Open

Well I took my 4runner to the shop today, hoping to get a quick turn-around. They informed me that the Back Door ECU is faulty and has to be replaced Part #8922-35010 (they call it "Door ECU Back"). My luck, its on back order. I don't know if that's a common failure right now but they are not sure how long it will take to receive the part.

I whined to the service manager and asked the, Now What? question. The fact that I can't open the back door(hatch) or use the back wiper/washer or defroster is really annoying - It's really winter here in Canada and I need those things to work. The service manager explained that if the part does not arrive soon (within a week) he will take that part from a new 4Runner to fix me up. (I Guess he doesn't like to hear me whining). Not bad, considering.

I sure hope this ECU failure is not the beginniing of more bad news with future ecu failures in the offing since there are a whole bunch of these things in the 4th generation models.

One of the mechanics told me that he had replaced these before ont he 3rd generation, but this is his first on the 4th gen. I don't know if that's good news or not?

I have had the 4runner for almost 4months now (9000 Kms), have done one oil change (Mobil1 5W-30) and no problems up until now, sure hope this is the last one for awhile.

-Toy-Man-
03 4Runner V6 Limited
Borla Exhaust (It's great)
Nifty Extreme Fooormats (Love em)

 

[loyd]

bs

you should have insisted they take one out of another 4runner on the lot...thats bs....

 

[peter78]

you should have insisted they take one out of another 4runner on the lot...thats bs....

Hmm...., if I were looking at a new 4Runner, I would be a little ticked if some part was taken off. Plus the dealer is paying interest on that 4Runner sitting on the lot. Of course that doesn't help Toy-Man.

Also, Loyd since you have 100 posts, you are now a Senior Member, Wow.

 

[loyd]

.

ya i guess your right....but after spending that much on the truck, and having to wait for a "backorder", which could mean anything, i would be pretty upset if i couldnt open the hatch.
wow look at me "senior" member! - wohoo!

 

[Sandor21]

Hi-
Been having the same problem with locked back hatch. 2006 4Runner. No sound from actuator, key won’t work. However... when i disconnect the battery, it will work normally again. Now it’s doing this more frequently. Do i need to replace the actuator, switch, or back door ECU? Am i missing something?
All these seem like easy enough fixes.. just wanna know what exactly is broken.
Thanks!

 

[Nape4]

Hi-
Been having the same problem with locked back hatch. 2006 4Runner. No sound from actuator, key won’t work. However... when i disconnect the battery, it will work normally again. Now it’s doing this more frequently. Do i need to replace the actuator, switch, or back door ECU? Am i missing something?
All these seem like easy enough fixes.. just wanna know what exactly is broken.
Thanks!

wow you literally commented on a post from 17 years ago lol.

my door didn't open for very long time because the alternator was not good probably
i just bought the car and day after its didnt opened again
and seller sold me this with a new battery so i couldn't tell, no body in the garage checked it.

i recommend you to check out the battery levels if its less than 14 (like 11 or so) maybe you have a problem with the alternator and you don't have enough battery or something

anyway i know nothing about cars but i didn't had back door for few weeks until i got a new alternator and then its start working again

by the way i paid to 2 different mechanics to check the problem and they couldn't tell why the door is not opened

i spend 5 hours at the garage and spend money for trying fixing it
And almost bought a new part for 500$
any way i living in costa rica so what am i expect they have no clue here

good luck

 

[j4x4v8]

Hi-
Been having the same problem with locked back hatch. 2006 4Runner. No sound from actuator, key won’t work. However... when i disconnect the battery, it will work normally again. Now it’s doing this more frequently. Do i need to replace the actuator, switch, or back door ECU? Am i missing something?
All these seem like easy enough fixes.. just wanna know what exactly is broken.
Thanks!

Here's a more recent thread about this same issue: Real time. Rear hatch motor no power

Also recommend searching this in Google and reading some older threads:

site:toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs rear hatch

 

[subersubs]

I have a problem with my 08 SR5. Rear switch had the melted button cover so I removed to clean. Reinstalled it and now no function at all. Took it back off and noticed a little bit of the cleaning solution around the wires so im guessing it's fried now. Question is does the rear door require the button to be functional for a complete circuit on everything else?

Thanks in advance!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[AuSeeker]

I have a problem with my 08 SR5. Rear switch had the melted button cover so I removed to clean. Reinstalled it and now no function at all. Took it back off and noticed a little bit of the cleaning solution around the wires so im guessing it's fried now. Question is does the rear door require the button to be functional for a complete circuit on everything else?

Thanks in advance!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

You can get a new replacement switch and cover for not too much, or get one at a salvage yard.

I not for if a defective switch will cause issues with other functions, but at the very least you will not be able to open the hatch

 

[Mr_Dobalina]

I have a problem with my 08 SR5. Rear switch had the melted button cover so I removed to clean. Reinstalled it and now no function at all. Took it back off and noticed a little bit of the cleaning solution around the wires so im guessing it's fried now. Question is does the rear door require the button to be functional for a complete circuit on everything else?

Thanks in advance!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Did you get this figured out? I just replaced my switch and when I go to open it, it sounds like it locks it.

Don tknow what to do.

 

[noslofivoh]

I am having issues with my hatch and have no clue. It won't work from the switch on the outside which is new. And the window intermittently works with the key but works fine from dash button. I can use my Autel Scanner and activate the latch to open it so I think my ECU is fine but not sure. Any ideas?

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

 

[Trumpet]

I am having issues with my hatch and have no clue. It won't work from the switch on the outside which is new. And the window intermittently works with the key but works fine from dash button. I can use my Autel Scanner and activate the latch to open it so I think my ECU is fine but not sure. Any ideas?

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

1 bad tailgate switch
2 broken wire in loom between body and tail gate
3 bad release solenoid (latch release) [should be a annual grease item]
4 bad control ecu

The order in which I'd check things.