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Rear window problem

Discussion in '3rd Gen 4Runners (1996-2002)' started by Doubleduty, Feb 12, 2024.

  1. Feb 12, 2024 at 9:35 AM
    #1
    Doubleduty

    Doubleduty [OP] Life is better on the mountain

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    I have a '98 LTD. my rear window suddenly stopped going down. I know it is a fairly common problem for wires to break inside that rear harness, however, I can hear a very faint click when I press the switch on my console. Seems the power is getting back there but no go. Any ideas would be appreciated.
    I DID do a search for this, but nothing addresses this particular issue.
     
  2. Feb 12, 2024 at 10:58 AM
    #2
    negusm

    negusm New Member

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    Make sure your window lockout isn't on. People forget it affects not just the side windows but the rear one too.

    I'm assuming the click you hear is coming from the back? Not had to chase this issue but I'd probably just pull the rear cover and check the power back there with a multimeter and hit the motor with 12v just to verify it works.
     
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  3. Feb 12, 2024 at 12:10 PM
    #3
    Daddykool

    Daddykool Photography enthusiast

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    Also make sure that your rear wiper made it fully to the home position last time you used it (a twig getting caught, for example, could prevent this, as could a sticky wiper parking ramp), or that the rear wiper switch isn't on. Does the wiper work? Does the key move the window as it should?

    One way to know if the rear wiper is home is to turn on the defrost. If it doesn't come on, rear window might not be all the way home.

    Hatch may not be fully closed (not sure if this impedes the window in your case).

    You may need to re-home it. This is done by fully bottoming the window in both directions, up and down. I'm not certain, but I think one way is to turn off the 4R, then while holding the rear window down button, turn the key to on and keep holding until it runs all the way down and bottoms out for a couple seconds. Once all the way bottomed, just hold the switch up until it bottoms again for a couple of seconds. I think this can be done with the key in the tailgate too.
     
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2024
    Doubleduty[OP] likes this.
  4. Feb 12, 2024 at 1:46 PM
    #4
    Doubleduty

    Doubleduty [OP] Life is better on the mountain

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    Thanks guys! been pouring rain all day and I don't have a garage but I'm going to check the things mentioned as soon as weather permits.
    Also, yes, the click noise is very faint but is coming from the rear hatch. The key does not work the window either.
     
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  5. Feb 14, 2024 at 1:00 PM
    #5
    Doubleduty

    Doubleduty [OP] Life is better on the mountain

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    Well, I have discovered a couple things. My window will go up and down with the key. I lowered it with the key and then got in the Runner and turned on the ignition. The switch worked to run the window back up, but not down. While the window is up, I can hear a click when I press the switch up but hear nothing when I press the switch down. I think this would suggest a bad switch. I called Toyota only to find that the switch is discontinued...(no surprise). He suggested that I try EBAY, which I did but had no luck.
    Does anyone know where I might find a replacement switch? I think we all know; you don't see many, (if any) 3rd gen Runners at a junkyard.
     
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  6. Feb 14, 2024 at 1:19 PM
    #6
    negusm

    negusm New Member

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    I looked and I think it is discontinued too.

    I found this part number: 8481135010

    So...junkyard or ebay is your best bet. Look for people parting cars online or on ebay and see if they can send you the switch.

    Otherwise...probably best bet is to pull the switch and test it and test the circuit to the rear. It may still not be the switch. The switches are so little used, I'd be surprised that they'd ever wear out.
     
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    #6
    Doubleduty[OP] likes this.
  7. Feb 14, 2024 at 1:25 PM
    #7
    Daddykool

    Daddykool Photography enthusiast

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    If you're able to remove the switch without damaging it, you may be able to clear out some gunk by getting a spray bottle of alcohol and spending some time cleaning it. Might just be that. Actuate it a bunch of times while cleaning it (disconnected, of course!) and then make sure to let it dry inside thoroughly before reconnecting. Contact cleaner can work, too.
     
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  8. Feb 14, 2024 at 2:33 PM
    #8
    Doubleduty

    Doubleduty [OP] Life is better on the mountain

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    Thank you...
    The guy at To
    Toyota parts dept. gave me a very similar number (84810-35030). 7 pages of EBAY and no results though.
     
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    #8
  9. Feb 14, 2024 at 2:35 PM
    #9
    Doubleduty

    Doubleduty [OP] Life is better on the mountain

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    I did remove the sw
    I did remove the switch and it appears to be very clean. Might try a little spray anyway. Thanks!
     
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  10. Feb 14, 2024 at 2:47 PM
    #10
    Doubleduty

    Doubleduty [OP] Life is better on the mountain

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    BTW, I had not been on this forum for quite a while because it became almost impossible to navigate. VERY, VERY slow. Slow logging on and slow even when logging off. Also, you can see by the above posts the weird things that are happening. Text above and below quoted text box. I used to visit the forum almost every day. Don't know what happened, but it started all the sudden a while back. I don't have any problems with ANY other forums or web surfing...strange.
     
  11. Feb 14, 2024 at 3:44 PM
    #11
    negusm

    negusm New Member

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    It's fine for me. Snappy and quick and no glitches. Clear your browser cache or try a different browser.
     
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  12. Feb 14, 2024 at 3:45 PM
    #12
    negusm

    negusm New Member

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    Sorry, I looked up one for a 2001-2002. But your number probably is correct for your 1998.
     
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    #12
  13. Feb 14, 2024 at 6:13 PM
    #13
    Doubleduty

    Doubleduty [OP] Life is better on the mountain

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    Three different devices and the same problem...laptop, tablet and phone.
    Three different browsers.
     
  14. Feb 14, 2024 at 7:01 PM
    #14
    Daddykool

    Daddykool Photography enthusiast

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    Same here. There's another forum that fits your description, in my view. It's very slow and clogged with ads.
     

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