rear wiper not working
- Thread starter mtbnole
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Blacksunshyne
New member
Mine did this, it stopped working just all of a sudden, and then about a week later just started working again. I had planned to check fuses etc...but didnt get around to it. One day it just worked again. The window was up all the way. My older ('70) FJ40 had some quirky wiring issues from time to time, I guess it is a family tradition...
nw_4Runner
New member
You may also check the window lock/unlock button. I had mine set and thought it only controlled the driver/passenger side windows. Then one day was trying to roll down rear window and thought it was malfunctioning. Turned out the window lock/unlock button controls the rear hatch window too.
BigredTEX
New member
I had this happen to me two weeks ago on my trip to Ouray. The rear window was down about 1/4". Nothing worked with the rear wiper or washer. Apparently I had hit the rear window switch and didn't know it. There was no wind noise or anything else to let me know it was slightly open. I was about to call the dealer when I though, maybe, the window was down. It moved slightly upward and everything came back to life.
I had the same thing happen to me on my 4th gen. Felt like a fool when the service writer told me that the rear window hadn't been all the way up.
whodat
New member
I have nothing of value to add, but same thing here
If the above doesn't solve the problem, take it to the dealer.
There is a TSB on the wiring harness on the control unit in the rear door. It is too short and will eventually stretch and break a wire or two, rendering the rear door inoperative, including wiper, defrost, window, and locking mechanism.
They will replace it with a harness with longer wires.
My harness was replaced twice with broken wires before the TSB and improved harness was released.
There is a TSB on the wiring harness on the control unit in the rear door. It is too short and will eventually stretch and break a wire or two, rendering the rear door inoperative, including wiper, defrost, window, and locking mechanism.
They will replace it with a harness with longer wires.
My harness was replaced twice with broken wires before the TSB and improved harness was released.
TRDProGirl
New member
Saved a trip to the dealer
I just got back from a 10 day trip to Sedona with lots of snow and rain and my rear wiper system wouldn't work the whole time. When I got back, I read this thread and went out, rolled down/up my rear window, and it works perfect now! Thanks!
I just got back from a 10 day trip to Sedona with lots of snow and rain and my rear wiper system wouldn't work the whole time. When I got back, I read this thread and went out, rolled down/up my rear window, and it works perfect now! Thanks!
JSparky
New member
Never mind, the window was slightly down.. wouldn't have figured it out that fast without this thread though!
I have done both the window lock and slightly lowered rear window... however I'm having a different problem. The rear wiper blade works but no fluid is coming out... fluid still sprays on the windshield.
I'm wondering if the pump for the rear window is situated higher in order to make sure you run out of fluid for the front window last. I'm going to buy a new bottle as I'm likely running low anyways.
I'm wondering if the pump for the rear window is situated higher in order to make sure you run out of fluid for the front window last. I'm going to buy a new bottle as I'm likely running low anyways.
salong53
New member
Is there a chance it's frozen? If the dealer puts over-diluted washer fluid in the reservoir, it will raise the freezing point and the lines that run through the roof could freeze.
My understanding was that a majority of the line doesn't run through the roof but rather along the passenger foot well. The day it stopped working it wasn't that cold either... I do know that I have been using a bunch of fluid in the past month as we have had quite a bit of snow and wet road conditions. It seems to makes sense that the engineers designing the system would see forward visibility as paramount over rear visibility especially when you have side mirrors. My gut instinct is that just like a backup sump pump, the pump for the rear washer is situated higher up in the reservoir so that the last pump to run out of fluid is the one for your front windshield. I guess we will find out on my lunch break if the rear sprayer starts working again after being filled back up?
Jhalko
New member
Yes, fill it up and it'll probably work, there is some time before you run out when the back won't get any fluid, happens to me.
Oh and I've also left the back window open slightly and thought it was broken for a few hours before realizing it. Haha.
That's part of the initiation to the 4Runner cult... the first time window lock is on and you think the rear window motor is broken and the first time you didn't roll it up all the way and think the rear window motor is broken lol.
Thanks for the confirmation that when low the rear pump stops first, I'll throw some fluid in today but feel better knowing it's normal.
