Help!!! Rear hatch won't open.

[gp4Jesus]

I replaced mine as well recently and had that problem. Tried unplugging the ECU in the back and it didnt work. Ended up disconnecting the battery, letting it sit for 5 minutes, and then it started working again.

and just where is THIS ECU?

 

[earthrealm]

and just where is THIS ECU?

hv posted this video before, seems you didnt watch it. here it is again, watch it and you will see where THAT ECU is:violin:

YouTube

 

[4runner2real]

Hey all,

I'm a newbie to the forum, and I'm no mechanic by any means. I also have a 2006 4Runner SR5, with rear hatch issues. I took mine to an independent mechanic, who replaced the actuator, and still could not get it to work. Afterwards, I took it to a "stealership", and they replaced the actuator again, and charged $500 for it again not to work. Meanwhile, they called me and told me that it seemed to "work better". Not sure what working better is, if it still doesn't open at all.

Here are the symptoms my rear hatch has:
- Rear Windshield wiper doesn't work unless I activate the window to roll down about half way and then roll it back up.
-Rear hatch window is the only thing that still seems to function correctly.
- I noticed some time ago that the piece of rubber to keep the water out fell off the hatch.
-Rear hatch motor does not make any sounds.

It's been about 4 or 5 years since I last was able to use my lift gate. The stealership also seemed to think there was some sort of wiring shortage in the hatch causing the issue, but wasn't willing to try and check.

Any advise?

 

[MikeinNH67]

Hey all,

I'm a newbie to the forum, and I'm no mechanic by any means. I also have a 2006 4Runner SR5, with rear hatch issues. I took mine to an independent mechanic, who replaced the actuator, and still could not get it to work. Afterwards, I took it to a "stealership", and they replaced the actuator again, and charged $500 for it again not to work. Meanwhile, they called me and told me that it seemed to "work better". Not sure what working better is, if it still doesn't open at all.

Here are the symptoms my rear hatch has:
- Rear Windshield wiper doesn't work unless I activate the window to roll down about half way and then roll it back up.
-Rear hatch window is the only thing that still seems to function correctly.
- I noticed some time ago that the piece of rubber to keep the water out fell off the hatch.
-Rear hatch motor does not make any sounds.

It's been about 4 or 5 years since I last was able to use my lift gate. The stealership also seemed to think there was some sort of wiring shortage in the hatch causing the issue, but wasn't willing to try and check.

Any advise?

Did you try the key in the hatch lock? The lock mechanism could be seized so the computer thinks it's locked. What did they do with the 1st new latch as that is worth a few bucks. When the back door is messed with often you have to reset the system which is done by lowering/raising the window. That also affects the rear defroster. Lastly, the rubber piece can be bought on Amazon, link below. Make sure the hatch drains on the bottom of the door are not clogged.

Amazon.com: TOYOTA Genuine 68290-35031 Door Glass Weatherstrip Assembly: Automotive

 

[4runner2real]

Did you try the key in the hatch lock? The lock mechanism could be seized so the computer thinks it's locked. What did they do with the 1st new latch as that is worth a few bucks. When the back door is messed with often you have to reset the system which is done by lowering/raising the window. That also affects the rear defroster. Lastly, the rubber piece can be bought on Amazon, link below. Make sure the hatch drains on the bottom of the door are not clogged.

Amazon.com: TOYOTA Genuine 68290-35031 Door Glass Weatherstrip Assembly: Automotive

Hi Mike,

I have tried using the key, and it doesn't seem to work that way. I did figure something out after I posted this message. I was able to get the rear hatch open by following these steps (didn't work every time - but worked maybe 70% of the time).

- Toggle the door locks a couple times
- Roll down the rear window and roll it back up
- Use the rear windshield wiper.

To my surprise, when I went to open the hatch, it made a sound, and it opened!!!! This could be repeated over and over again until turning off the ignition.

Regarding the 1st new latch installed, it was taken back out and sent back to Toyota. I was not charged at all for that repair because it didn't work. The second new latch was the one that was installed and is still in the 4Runner.

I'll also get the replacement weatherstrip and check the hatch drains as well. Thanks for the helpful tips! It's also good to have the affirmation that the back window roll up/down is what resets the system. I just thought my 4Runner was having some serious wiring problems (perhaps it still does).

 

[sbenner44]

OK here's my issue - read through this thread but can't isolate the solution.

Rear hatch won't open - no sound, nothing. Disconnect negative on battery (both a few mintues and overnight) / reconnect, cycle the master (driver door lock) three times) and will open smoothly. Close the hatch and hear the latch closing and then like 2 seconds later here another motor sound higher inside the hatch (locking?). Rear window and wiper work fine- Won't open again (no sounds or responses) until I disconnect the battery (tried both neg and pos as well).

So I take it to garage- and they say they lubed it and "cleared the code" multiple times and then it worked for a month. Go to desert. Get back and think I'm smart guy for spraying WD-40 into latch to clean out all the red dirt. Stopped working again. Think I dissolved their lube with the WD-40?Open it again and lube generously with white lithium. Disconnect/reconnect the battery multiple times to try and recreate garage. Nothing.

Also - I can't unlock it with the key (counter-clockwise) in the hatch but the window down (clockwise) works fine

So I just bought a OBDII - Scanner / code clearer as mentioned on this site. No code found...

Any thoughts? Thank you!

Did you get anywhere with this? Im having the exact same issue. I also can't use the key on the tailgate however im going to pop the wires off the back of the key mech in the tailgate where you can operate the switch manually with a small screw driver. the motor has been replaced and I plugged a new ecu into it and had no change in results. my tailgate is damp inside.

Here is a video of the Mechanism moving after the gate closes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A72A9xHft6Y

 

[revvhappy]

I'm having the exact same problem as the video above.

I was able to reset the computer by disconnecting the negative battery terminal about 6 months ago but it's not doing the trick this time. I'd rather not throw random parts at the problem if someone has a solution.

 

[cwilliams563]

Just had issues with mine tonight, since this thread helped me out I’ll throw in my experience. Took the back bezel off to install my backup camera. Disconnected some of the wiring harnesses. Put it all back together (plastic and cover panel), closed the hatch and did not actuate shut with the motor. Pushed the button and nothing happened, no mother actuation.....nothing! My hatch is now stuck half closed and couldn’t open or close all the way. Can’t even lock my doors now due to it showing the rear lift gate open.... now what???

I climbed in back and pulled the panel cover and plastic back off. Check all the plugs and everything seemed right. The last few days locking/unlocking 3 times on drivers door had done the trick but not this time. Found this thread and tried the rear window down and hold up, did not work. Tried the lock/unlock again and nothing.

Disconnected the battery for about a minute and nothing. Tried the rear window down then hold up and nothing. Tried the driver lock/unlock 3 times and finally.... sheesh, what a joke all this stupid auto close/open finicky bs. stuff is. I think the only thing I didn’t try that I read here was to unplug the blue harness plugs in the back hatch but that was next.

 

[BackOff]

This tailgate deal got me last sunday.
After cleaning the lock assembly out the switch would not work.
Unpluged the bottom right side tailgate ECU for a 10 count then a 2x unlock with the key fob...now it works.

Also that left side of the white plastic cover pulls straight up and off.
And if your pulling the wrong lever you could be Superman and it wont unlock the latch.

 

[ads2539]

My hatch wouldn’t open today after I installed sound deadener in the hatch. I disconnected the wire that locks/unlocks the hatch, but I reconnected it after I was done. I tried locking and unlocking the hatch with the key fob, the key and the switch on the driver’s armrest, all with no luck.

After reading this thread, I disconnected the negative terminal on my battery for 20 minutes, then reconnected it. My hatch now locks and unlocks properly. This forum has saved me twice in the last week!

 

[Flybynight]

My new actuator showed up in the mail, cant wait to able to use the gate again. NO idea why they used an electric actuator on a mid 2000's Toyota, but whatever.