Key FOB seems to only work when hatch is open

[4runnerRB]

Greetings. I have a 2002 sr5 4runner. A few months ago my key fob stop working. Door locks will not lock or unlock. there is no 'beep' sound when pressing the button.

when investigating the problem I notice if I have the hatch open and I press lock button on the FOB the 'beep' sound would actuate with a long beep. This long beep usually occurs if a door is open and trying to lock using the fob. But when I close the hatch the key fob would again not work and no sound. I know it's not the battery on the fob since the key fob can open the back window and the long beep would actuate when the hatch is open. Further I notice my rear window wiper no longer works and the tail gate window button in the front dashboard no longer works. In addition I do not think my rear defroster turns on. I opened the inside panel of the hatch to see if any of the connectors are loose but all were connected.

Has anyone ever experience this problem? I would think it's a relay somewhere but I can't locate it. Appreciate any advice.

 

[phattyduck]

Broken wires where the harness goes between the body and hatch.

-Charlie

 

[steppen]

Similar Issue

Hi,

I have a Similar problem. Both my key fobs stopped working on my 2002 4runner, after putting new batteries in them, they still didn't work, until i opened my back gate, then they would unlock the car, if it was locked, and give a loong beep if i tried to lock the car while the gate was open, which i think is normal. However as soon as i closed the gate, nothing, the fobs go back to not working.

Update: Yah its was totally the harness between the body and hatch, right where its hinging's a bunch of wires are broken, thanks phattyduck.

-Clay