Rear Window Woes

[Swimmerboy2112]

Hi all,

I recently picked up a 1997 4Runner that is in great shape other than the rear window. It will not work at all. The key in the back door and the switch on the center console do not operate the window at all.

So far i've tested;

-Putting 12V to the motor operates the rear window
-Window limit switch works properly
-Hatch key switch works properly
-Window roll up/down switch gets power and works properly
-Rear wiper works

I have no idea what else it could be. Any help would be appreciated.

-Brian

 

[chimpy]

I would check a wiring diagram and see what the key switch and dash switch have in common. For both switches to not be working, there has to be a connection/wire that they both share. You have already determined that the motor does work when 12 volts are applied so now just go backwards in the circuit. I would guess that both switches share a common ground. Check to see that both switches are getting power.

 

[TheDurk]

Check the wires where they go from the liftgate to the body. They can split, break or short from a decade and a half of flexing.

 

[Swimmerboy2112]

I would check a wiring diagram and see what the key switch and dash switch have in common. For both switches to not be working, there has to be a connection/wire that they both share. You have already determined that the motor does work when 12 volts are applied so now just go backwards in the circuit. I would guess that both switches share a common ground. Check to see that both switches are getting power.

Well I know for a fact that the switch in the 4Runner gets power, I measured 12V there.

Check the wires where they go from the liftgate to the body. They can split, break or short from a decade and a half of flexing.

I'd like to add that I checked the fuses and they're all good. I'm thinking there's an open somewhere.

 

[TheDurk]

I would check a wiring diagram and see what the key switch and dash switch have in common. For both switches to not be working, there has to be a connection/wire that they both share. You have already determined that the motor does work when 12 volts are applied so now just go backwards in the circuit. I would guess that both switches share a common ground. Check to see that both switches are getting power.

Actually, those switches are passing ground as a signal and not 12V+. The power circuit is controlled by the Back Door ECM, and we know that has power because the wiper works.

I'd concentrate on the black/white wires (the grounds) in that liftgate to body harness. The wiper uses different grounds, but gets 12V+ from the same place the back window does (30A Power fuse). Trouble is on the ground side of things.

http://tacoma.site40.net/4Runner_96-02_Repair&Wiring/techinfo.toyota.com/ileaf/ewdtmc2/ewdtmpdf/ewdsourc/2002/024runne/systemci/043pwrww.pdf

 

[Swimmerboy2112]

Actually, those switches are passing ground as a signal and not 12V+. The power circuit is controlled by the Back Door ECM, and we know that has power because the wiper works.

I'd concentrate on the black/white wires (the grounds) in that liftgate to body harness. The wiper uses different grounds, but gets 12V+ from the same place the back window does (30A Power fuse). Trouble is on the ground side of things.

http://tacoma.site40.net/4Runner_96-02_Repair&Wiring/techinfo.toyota.com/ileaf/ewdtmc2/ewdtmpdf/ewdsourc/2002/024runne/systemci/043pwrww.pdf

The 12V+ I was reading must have been to the illumination of the switch.

I will check the grounds tomorrow if I can muster up the energy to do so after work. (long days!)

Thank you very much!

 

[blueblur1984]

I was talking to a local shop that does a lot of toyotas and appearantly this is a fairly common problem. I've got he same problem but I have other issues higher on my to do list. I'd try hunting for a bad ground first, but if all else fails you can get a bypass switch.

4RUNNER REAR WINDOW BYPASS SWITCH

 

[Swimmerboy2112]

I was talking to a local shop that does a lot of toyotas and appearantly this is a fairly common problem. I've got he same problem but I have other issues higher on my to do list. I'd try hunting for a bad ground first, but if all else fails you can get a bypass switch.

4RUNNER REAR WINDOW BYPASS SWITCH

I'm hoping that it's not the computer. I will be hunting for a ground.

Thank you for that switch link. that is going to be a last resort though.