tailgate window jammed

[devilboy]

so I've searched around on here a bunch, but can't seem to find a post with quite the same symptoms...

my rear window was becoming more and more slow opening and closing, then finally one day it gave up a few inches from the top.

the window moved freely in hand (up and down through a range of perhaps 6" or so), then eventually jammed just below the top, leaving a gap of about 1".

opening the interior panel of the tailgate, it appears that the glass itself is seated in the guides and the regulator assembly appears intact. the motor sounds like it's working with the switch, but does not engage the linkage of the regulator.

what to do?

-thanks in advance

 

[shuly]

so I've searched around on here a bunch, but can't seem to find a post with quite the same symptoms...

my rear window was becoming more and more slow opening and closing, then finally one day it gave up a few inches from the top.

the window moved freely in hand (up and down through a range of perhaps 6" or so), then eventually jammed just below the top, leaving a gap of about 1".

opening the interior panel of the tailgate, it appears that the glass itself is seated in the guides and the regulator assembly appears intact. the motor sounds like it's working with the switch, but does not engage the linkage of the regulator.

what to do?

-thanks in advance

Don't know for sure if this is your fix, but we recently had a similar issue with our 1996 4runner. Ripped everything apart and it worked fine w/o the glass. Turns out the lip on the glass was hitting a piece of plastic that had either shifted or broken and warped over time. The plastic part was just a guard to keep oil grease from dripping on the window. Figured it didn't really matter so we ripped it off and it

 

[DaemonFTW]

Most likely it's the motor that has died.

i have a '92 4runner and experienced the same issues as you.

what happens is there is a plastic gear that is driven by the metal shaft of the motor. over time the gear becomes threaded and the window eventually stops moving the worse the threading gets.

Don't bother trying to obtain a replacement one from toyota, it will cost an arm and a leg (AU$650).

Best and most common place to find them in top cond is in the rear left door of an 80 Series Camry or aparently a celica. (I got mine from a camry for $45)
Take the tailgate motor to the wrecker to ensure the bolt holes match up.

When removing the motor find a way to lock the spring loaded arms into place as the motor holds them firm in normal operation. i learned this the hard way and had to realign everything .

you will also need to use the plug on the dead motor as they are different.

then it should be as easy as swapping them out and screwing the replacement one in. after that it should be nearly as good as new (for a fraction of the cost)

Also get some silicon lubrcant spray and spray down all the window guides to reduce friction and stress on the motor.

All up cost ~AU$50

Good luck