Rear Window Help

[Andru1313]

I just Bought a 1994 4runner. It has about 30k on it from a brand new engine due to the head gasket issue around 60k. Car is in great shape. Has one issue. The back window does not go up or down. I hear the motor running sounds fine just the window doesn't move. I have no clue where to start. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I am used to VW's so this is a bit new for me. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I need to fix this because I can't open the rear tail gate until i do. Thanks


!!!!!Update!!!!!!
I pulled the carpet off and tried to pull the top plastic piece off. whoops big mistake. Can't get it back right now. Well I know it was a bad idea. Anyway, was looking at the gears and other mechanisms. They are all rusty and oxidized. I sprayed them with some silicone spray no luck. Also I can't pull the lock up and down. It is stuck. So I think this is my problem. any suggestions? Should I just have it fixed by a mechanic? How much do you think it would cost?

 

[Gryphon]

Sounds like you found your problem. Water intrusion causeing rust.

The access hatch is accessable with the tailgate closed, so you may have to open that up, spray the heck out of it with penetrating oil (3in1 or PB Blaster works the best IMHO). You may have to gently pry it to get things working if it is really gummed up.

For this, if you are handy at all, try it yourself first. A mechanic is just going to have to force it that same way you will anyway, so save the $$. You might just have to replace the gate. If it is that rusted inside, you are sure to have sheetmetal rust too. Getting it open first is the goal for now tho.

I don't think the lock will unlock if the window is up. So that is the first priority.

 

[Andru1313]

Thanks Gryphon. I did spray the heck out of it and still locked. I am afraid to put alot of muscle behind it. My luck I wil pop something off. I will mess with it some more today and see. I am also in need of inspection so I will see how much they will charge me to fix it. Hope I didn't buy a problem car. I guess I can't loose, paid less than 3500 for this car and the engine was replaced at 60k and it has 30k on the new engine. There is a bit of rust and the paint is in ok condition. This is going to be for utility and the baby mobile. sorry went off on a tangent. Thanks for the help keep ya posted.

 

[Gryphon]

From the sound of it, if you bust something, you are not any worse off anyway!

With a new engine, sounds like a deal anyway!

The biggest problem I have had with mine is my wife took it! So we gotta buy another one I guess! ~LOL~

 

[Andru1313]

lol. Well this is more of my wifes than it is going to be mine. I bought this becuase I have a R32 and the baby doesn't fit in there to well. So I figured this would be good reliable transpertation. Plus alot easier than pulling the baby in and out of a 2 door. I am taking the 4runner in tomorrow for inspection and to have the window looked at so I will keep ya posted.

 

[pyrodork]

the only way the tailgate lock will move is when the window is 100% all the way down. similarly, the window will not go up if the tailgate is unlocked. it usually locks itself when you put the window up, but sometimes i have to lock it manually.


just a note, when i had my Python alarm installed, i also had the rear window control be put on the remote. push two buttons together to make it go down completely, hold one button to make it go up. cost an extra $80, i believe, at Car Toys in Puyallup, WA. a good option, i believe. i use it a lot.
now only if i had better range on the remote...

 

[le34ah56]

yeah, my window will only unlock when it is completely down, and it relocks itself when it goes up.
i know how you feel taking all that carpet and plastic off. when i had to do it to put my stereo in, i had a heck of a time putting it back on. really took some patience and a lot of time.