rear window does not go up all the way (99 4Runner SR5)

[jasonp99]

Hello. After thinking I was going to get through the rest of the year without a repair (replaced all the fuel injectors this year after two of them failed, when the 2nd one failed didn't want to risk another repair so had the remaining 4 replaced) my rear hatch window isn't going all the way up.

The window will go all the way down but only about 2/3 the way up. The last time this happened I just ran it down and up a few times and it then got all the way up (after making a loud sound about 2/3 the way up). But it has worked fine this whole year until this morning. Granted it is about 42F this morning so maybe it is the cold?

Reading some other posts, I don't think it's the relay since it will go up part way. Is the motor just not putting out enough energy? Maybe the rubber seals needs to be lubricated? I'll try that. Same behavior whether I use the key or dash switch.

Thanks for any help!
99 Runner SR5, 2wd, 168k miles, V6

 

[LittleCaesar]

Pull off the rear cover, sit inside the rear with the hatch closed, have a helper roll the window up and down. Look for any binding in the track, make sure the window doesn't wobble too much, etc.

I'd start with lubing the tract with some Superlube or other silicone grease along with the seals and go from there. At the worst the motor may need replacing.
https://www.amazon.com/Super-Lube-21030-Synthetic-Grease/dp/B000XBH9HI?th=1

 

[tjaguilar]

I came across this about a month ago and there was a loose bolt along one of the tracks. Tightened up that bolt and fixed the issue.

Good luck!

 

[jasonp99]

Thanks! I'll pull off that interior panel (hope it's easy to do that!) and see what I can find when the window is going up/down.

 

[jasonp99]

So I let the temperature get a bit warmer then took it for a short drive, still did not work. Stopped for a few minutes then drove home where it finally rolled all the way up. It got to the point it usually did, about 5" or so from the top, when it made a loud pop/snap sound and then kept going up. Since it's not an emergency issue now I'm going to wait until next week when I have a free day and can pull of that panel and see what's up.

 

[badco]

working on that isn't fun. there's not a lot of room. I'm betting you have loose tracks or worn plastic parts. my buddies '02 window goes down, but not back up, the arm pops out of the track. I got the window up for him, and told him to order the parts, but he apparently fell asleep for the last 5 months. now he expects me to order the parts and fix it too.
I'm going to tell him I want some input from him also, not to expect me to do all of it.