Rear window and wiper issue, not the usual one

[ltsatch]

I have a '21 Trd Off Road, the issue is when I close the liftgate window, it goes all the way up, hits the top, then comes back down halfway, like something is obstructing it from closing completely. Also noticed at the same time the rear wiper and washer are not working either.
I checked the fuses, cleaned the window track as best as I could, also checked that the wiper is seated properly, which seems to be the case. I am able to close the window all the way with tiny flicks of the switch until it hits the top, wiper does not work even after I do close it this way.
Is there a sensor that could need cleaning? It seems the main problem is that the window is not sensing that it is closed.
Thanks for any advice in advance, I searched the threads and could not find this particular issue.

 

[rigtec]

I have a '21 Trd Off Road, the issue is when I close the liftgate window, it goes all the way up, hits the top, then comes back down halfway, like something is obstructing it from closing completely. Also noticed at the same time the rear wiper and washer are not working either.
I checked the fuses, cleaned the window track as best as I could, also checked that the wiper is seated properly, which seems to be the case. I am able to close the window all the way with tiny flicks of the switch until it hits the top, wiper does not work even after I do close it this way.
Is there a sensor that could need cleaning? It seems the main problem is that the window is not sensing that it is closed.
Thanks for any advice in advance, I searched the threads and could not find this particular issue.

Hi ltsatch,

There are a few things to check on 4Runner windows when there's a problem! 1'st, the rear windshield wiper [Won't] work, if the window's not properly closed first; so the tailgate window must be working correctly before any trouble-shooting can be done on that system!

Have you checked that the window-lock (D/S door) is "OFF" before testing the tailgate window? Also, check if there is any of the weather striping in the way of the window tracking; that'll cause the window to go partially upward, then return downward (a safety feature)!

Perhaps check these before assuming the worst! You can also disconnect the NEG Battery terminal (Minimum of four hours) to do a Factory RESET on all of the ECU's to set things back to the way they were, if nothing else is wrong! Hope this helps!

~rig~ Best to you ltsatch! :cheers:

 

[ltsatch]

Hi ltsatch,

There are a few things to check on 4Runner windows when there's a problem! 1'st, the rear windshield wiper [Won't] work, if the window's not properly closed first; so the tailgate window must be working correctly before any trouble-shooting can be done on that system!

Have you checked that the window-lock (D/S door) is "OFF" before testing the tailgate window? Also, check if there is any of the weather striping in the way of the window tracking; that'll cause the window to go partially upward, then return downward (a safety feature)!

Perhaps check these before assuming the worst! You can also disconnect the NEG Battery terminal (Minimum of four hours) to do a Factory RESET on all of the ECU's to set things back to the way they were, if nothing else is wrong! Hope this helps!

~rig~ Best to you ltsatch! :cheers:

Rig tec, thanks for your detailed reply, being a '21 I would hope it's not a mechanical issue. Already tried the window lock as well. When I slide the window up non automatically to close it I definitely here it hit a stop with a pretty good thunk. Do you know of any sensor within the system that may be damaged or dirty? Thanks again, will try the battery trick tomorrow and report back. Appreciate the help.

 

[rigtec]

Rig tec, thanks for your detailed reply, being a '21 I would hope it's not a mechanical issue. Already tried the window lock as well. When I slide the window up non automatically to close it I definitely here it hit a stop with a pretty good thunk. Do you know of any sensor within the system that may be damaged or dirty? Thanks again, will try the battery trick tomorrow and report back. Appreciate the help.

Hi again Itsatch,

Yes, there's a sensor indicating to the window when to STOP! If it were my truck, I'd wish that "IT WAS" a mechanical issue; bc I deal with the 27 ECU's All the time, and they can be tricky & temperamental! Try this... pull the tailgate inner panel completely off; here's a short video to show how to do just that:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4l9SgNH0DY&ab_channel=WindowFilmRevolution

First, lower the window 1/4 to1/2 the way down; that'll make things easier for the next step! When you're in there, look for a way of cranking the rear window back up (Mechanically), so if there is anything binding or impeding it's free movement, you will feel it. Now that the window's ALL THE WAY UP, try the wipers... if they work now, you know the sensor is acknowledging proper closed window position!

Now turn the truck "ON" and lower the window; Hold the button DOWN for two seconds after it stops (for sensor Re-calibration). Now hold the button in the "UP" position for two seconds after it stops (for sensor Re-calibration)! Now test it all out...e.g., window, up, down, wipers...etc! Don't forget; if you don't feel that it's right, you can still do a factory Reset; as described in my earlier post to you! Let us know how you made out!

~rig~

 

[JoeBand]

There are a few things to check on 4Runner windows when there's a problem! 1'st, the rear windshield wiper [Won't] work, if the window's not properly closed first; so the tailgate window must be working correctly before any trouble-shooting can be done on that system!

this caught me off guard last week, when my rear wiper wouldn't work... same day the rear defrost quit working.

for a couple of hours i was thinking fuse, when i noticed a sticker on the window didn't quite line up... 1/4" off.... that was it.

 

[ltsatch]

Thanks guys will try this afternoon.

 

[rigtec]

this caught me off guard last week, when my rear wiper wouldn't work... same day the rear defrost quit working.

for a couple of hours i was thinking fuse, when i noticed a sticker on the window didn't quite line up... 1/4" off.... that was it.

So glad you found the trouble JoeBand!

~rig~ Best to you!

 

[rigtec]

Thanks guys will try this afternoon.

"You Got this itsatch" :laugh:

~rig~ Best, Cheers!

 

[ltsatch]

"You Got this itsatch" :laugh:

~rig~ Best, Cheers!

Forgot I had an airport run today, will get er done Tuesday. I did double check the weatherstripping and put a folded towel over the end of a flat screwdriver and cleaned the channel, which was fairly dirty. No help.

 

[rigtec]

Forgot I had an airport run today, will get er done Tuesday. I did double check the weatherstripping and put a folded towel over the end of a flat screwdriver and cleaned the channel, which was fairly dirty. No help.

...I would also check that the Window Motor-Track assembly is completely tight; Every screw & Bolt! I was changing a door lock-motor last Summer, and when I (thought...), I was done, the Left-rear window just fell down into the door (Blam...)!

I was SHOCKED!ray: But when I checked it, I found out that the screws holding the window tracking assembly in the door were loose; causing the window to "Suddenly" Drop into the door! So let's start by checking the simple stuff!

rig, Cheers!

 

[ltsatch]

...I would also check that the Window Motor-Track assembly is completely tight; Every screw & Bolt! I was changing a door lock-motor last Summer, and when I (thought...), I was done, the Left-rear window just fell down into the door (Blam...)!

I was SHOCKED!ray: But when I checked it, I found out that the screws holding the window tracking assembly in the door were loose; causing the window to "Suddenly" Drop into the door! So let's start by checking the simple stuff!

rig, Cheers!

Well, the battery terminal trick worked. At first I thought it did not as the window popped back down halfway. I then closed it again and held the switch up for a few seconds and did the same thing when all the way down. Then switched it to auto-up and it stayed up. Wiper washer all set as well. A little scare when car did not start at first, must have been injection system catching up. Thanks everyone for all of the assistance!:flamethrwoer2:

 

[rigtec]

Well, the battery terminal trick worked. At first I thought it did not as the window popped back down halfway. I then closed it again and held the switch up for a few seconds and did the same thing when all the way down. Then switched it to auto-up and it stayed up. Wiper washer all set as well. A little scare when car did not start at first, must have been injection system catching up. Thanks everyone for all of the assistance!:flamethrwoer2:

Itsatch, I knew you had this... (Great Job!)

So if I understand ya right, you did the [Factory- RESET] 1'st! Then when started; it shut-off after 2 seconds, and you started it again? That's Completely NORMAL! It's re-calibrating the ECU's (Electronic Control Units) back to manufacturing Specs, and then will LEARN your driving habits once again!

From Now On ...when there's trouble... Please Remember: think.. I GOT THIS!!... Ok(?)! You worked it out! That's why I refer to the guys here as: "The A-Team", Cause we help each other with what we have when we can!!

~rig~ "GREAT JOB Itsatch!":trophy:

 

[fel2003]

Hi again Itsatch,

Yes, there's a sensor indicating to the window when to STOP! If it were my truck, I'd wish that "IT WAS" a mechanical issue; bc I deal with the 27 ECU's All the time, and they can be tricky & temperamental! Try this... pull the tailgate inner panel completely off; here's a short video to show how to do just that:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4l9SgNH0DY&ab_channel=WindowFilmRevolution

First, lower the window 1/4 to1/2 the way down; that'll make things easier for the next step! When you're in there, look for a way of cranking the rear window back up (Mechanically), so if there is anything binding or impeding it's free movement, you will feel it. Now that the window's ALL THE WAY UP, try the wipers... if they work now, you know the sensor is acknowledging proper closed window position!

Now turn the truck "ON" and lower the window; Hold the button DOWN for two seconds after it stops (for sensor Re-calibration). Now hold the button in the "UP" position for two seconds after it stops (for sensor Re-calibration)! Now test it all out...e.g., window, up, down, wipers...etc! Don't forget; if you don't feel that it's right, you can still do a factory Reset; as described in my earlier post to you! Let us know how you made out!

~rig~

hey ! taking a chance here rigtec,

been wondering why my wiper and defrost and doorlock for the back door would not work when i bought the truck.. i knew the rear window mechanism had been torn apart and that it woulld no longer work in its life. after opening the trunk up, i noticed everything of the rear window motor assembly was gone which is ok.. so turns out that as you said the window has to be all the way up for the wiper/defrost and doorlock to work. here's the thing, i bought a new multiplex control module, checked all connections were good, and now i just need to know how to fake a ''window fully up'' signal going from the 6 pin window motor connector to the ecu (multiplex controle module). i have a lot of informations that could lead to us being successful but i just have to be sure !! thx everyone :canada: