Disabled rear gate window issue - $2200 ++

[Forester]

So I recently discovered my rear window motor and regulator assembly is badly corroded - I couldn't raise the window at all after lowering it a few weeks ago. After taking the panel off I couldn't see any problems other than the fact that the whole assembly was rusted to crap. The dealer managed to get the window back up by hammering on the motor a bit while another tech kept his finger on the switch. To replace the required parts the dealer estimate is between $2200 and $2500 including new glass (it is badly scratched now).

So I decided to leave it in the up position, I don't need it anyways. I confirmed with the dealer that is was okay just to disconnect the leads going to the window motor (so that it could not accidentally be lowered again). At this time everything was fine - rear wiper and defrost were working.

So my problem is that now I've had some other work done, the battery was disconnected, and the rear wiper and defrost won't work. I assume the window needs to be "normalized" to get my wiper and defrost working again. Any suggestions as to how I might trick the system into thinking it is normalized without actually trying to lower and raise the window?

 

[Sungod]

Might be cheaper and easier to find the parts at a junk yard to replace them. I would guess that you can find them for half of what the dealer wants.

 

[Derek G]

Wait a while, don't panic yet. whenever I do electrical work on my truck such as installing lights, for some reason the rear wiper, defroster, and window don't work for a few days after disconnecting and reconnecting the battery. Same goes for my Sequoia. The reason? I have absolutely no idea. I'm thinking it has something to do with the computer resetting. Sometimes it takes one day, sometimes a few. I think it depends on start cycles.

 

[JBecker]

Wait a while, don't panic yet. whenever I do electrical work on my truck such as installing lights, for some reason the rear wiper, defroster, and window don't work for a few days after disconnecting and reconnecting the battery. Same goes for my Sequoia. The reason? I have absolutely no idea. I'm thinking it has something to do with the computer resetting. Sometimes it takes one day, sometimes a few. I think it depends on start cycles.

Interesting. I swapped out my battery the other day and then my key fob wouldn't roll down the back window, and the key in the lock wouldn't roll it up or down, but the switch on the dash worked fine. Tried it again yesterday and everything worked as intended.

 

[Derek G]

Interesting. I swapped out my battery the other day and then my key fob wouldn't roll down the back window, and the key in the lock wouldn't roll it up or down, but the switch on the dash worked fine. Tried it again yesterday and everything worked as intended.

It does weird things.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Take the plastic cover back off, pull the wire to the blue box on the right hand side, let it sit for a few mins and then plug it back in, should reset everything.

 

[Purelife]

So I recently discovered my rear window motor and regulator assembly is badly corroded [/B] without actually trying to lower and raise the window?

I noticed the rear window seal falls off whenever it gets wet and I'm worried what the inside of my door looks like. Did you have the same issue? I am planning on heading to Toyota this week to get a quote on a new seal. Looks like I'll pull the door apart too and check the electrical.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Honestly, I'd just get it fixed myself... it's gonna be expensive but peace of mind and having my 4Runner in good shape makes me sleep better at night, I know its not really what you're asking; but here's some options:

"Red Box" Factory Toyota Parts for Roughly Wholesale Pricing- Toyota Parts - Wholesale Toyota Parts direct from Village Toyota Parts | Village Toyota Parts

Nationwide, Quality Salvage Yard (Many Dealerships and Shops use these guys)- http://www.lkqcorp.com/

Or you can try local junkyards and/or RockAuto.com?

Labor shouldn't be to bad and I do not believe you need to reprogram anything (There's a FSM download link somewhere on the 4th Gen thread so you can even do it at home!)

Like I said, I know its not what you were asking, but its probably going to be a bigger pain to let that rear window be neglected than to try and get it done. (You should easily cut the price down from 2k if you get the parts yourself and shop around for a good labor rate or a couple cases of beer for some T4R.org members to host a "Wrench Day.)

 

[gshadow325]

Car-part.com will query all junk yards that are online. I would buy used one and repaint and reinstall, probably cost half that dealer quote.

 

[Forester]

Normalize window fix

Take the plastic cover back off, pull the wire to the blue box on the right hand side, let it sit for a few mins and then plug it back in, should reset everything.

This is the type of fix I'm looking for - thanks. I have a black box on the drivers side of the rear hatch - there is a blue harness that goes in with many wires. Can you explain which wire exactly? Is the main box blue on yours? Mine is an 06 T4R sport.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

This is the type of fix I'm looking for - thanks. I have a black box on the drivers side of the rear hatch - there is a blue harness that goes in with many wires. Can you explain which wire exactly? Is the main box blue on yours? Mine is an 06 T4R sport.

That's it, sorry, it's a blue wiring harness, haven't looked at it in 2-3 years, pull the whole wiring harness out, there's a clip holding it

 

[Forester]

No fix as of yet re. normalize rear window

Okay - pulling the blue wiring harness didn't work - tried it key on, key off, running, etc.

So if anyone else has a suggestion it would be much appreciated.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Okay - pulling the blue wiring harness didn't work - tried it key on, key off, running, etc.

So if anyone else has a suggestion it would be much appreciated.

Initialization is based on the window moving up and down, I believe that Toyota uses current ramping of the window motor to determine window position and thus a "closed & open" data point. Since your window does not function properly you most likely will not be able to complete the initialization process and thus I would refer you to my earlier post in trying to get the rear window taken care of if you need it back.