Rear Window Defrost Switch - Odd Question

[Clayton74]

So when I bought my '96 4Run it was a bit of a basket case. The center console was gone. Laying where the console used to be was a plug for the transmission switch and another plug with a rear window defrost switch plugged into it. Fast forward a few weeks. I bought a '99+ console and installed it along with a junkyard trans ECT switch. I moved both of the switches along with my diff lock to the left of my steering wheel.

Now I also notice that I have a defrost switch in the center of the dash. I'm thinking that the rear window defrost switch that I found in the center console area is really my rear window raise / lower switch plug. It just so happens that the previous owner plugged in the rear window defrost switch because they were idiots. Can anyone confirm that the defrost switch found the this first picture does not actually belong in my 3rd gen? Or could anyone confirm that the two plugs coming from a 96-98 center console should be the transmission and rear window.

Second pic is included because I assume this is the true rear window defroster.

Thanks!

 

[mark21742]

In the first pic you should have a "clutch start cancel" button where that defrost switch is.

Try to turn your key on, then push that switch and see if the truck will start without pushing in the clutch.

If it does, then the internals of both switches are the same.


Each time you want to start the truck without the clutch you have to turn the key on then push that button.

 

[mark21742]

 

[Clayton74]

In the first pic you should have a "clutch start cancel" button where that defrost switch is.

Try to turn your key on, then push that switch and see if the truck will start without pushing in the clutch.

If it does, then the internals of both switches are the same.


Each time you want to start the truck without the clutch you have to turn the key on then push that button.

Thanks but mine is an auto. The plug originated from the center console location and was rerouted to the dash so I could upgrade the console. When I bought it, the defrost switch shown was plugged into the plug laying between the seats on the floor.

 

[mark21742]

Ok no clue then lol my 97 has the rear window defrost button up by the center vent like your second picture..... in my center console all mine had was the rear window (up/down) switch and the security light, the other two spot were blanks

 

[Clayton74]

I think your answer pretty much confirms what I was thinking. The wires / plug that came from the center console area are for my rear window. The PO just threw a defrost switch on there because he likely didn't know and just found a switch that plugged in to what was there.

So now all I need to do is locate a switch and a rear window!

 

[kolelt]

My defroster in my 97 is in center console near the clock. And near the ebrake I have ECT button , rear window up and down, and Toyota alarm light. I highly doubt Toyota made same connectors for the switches. I'm pretty sure when I had my center console out. All the buttons and connectors were specifically for that particular function.