2019 model having issues with rear gate sensor, rear defrost and windshield wiper not working

I purchased a 2019 in July on a hot sunny day! Well, the first time I drove it in the rain, the door open alert stayed on flashing and beeping until it dried. I figured out that ithe rear gate that was setting the door open alert off. Recently, I noticed that my rear windshield wiper does not work, but when the area around it is wet and I dry it off, the door open alert will go off (sometimes, depending on how wet the rear gate area is). Today, I am traveling and needed the rear defrost and learned that it does not work. Has anyone experienced any, or all, of these issues? If so, pls share with me how to fix the issue(s). Thanks, Tara

 

Hi, and welcome.

I think all the issues are related to the “door open” indicator. The defroster and wiper will likely not work if the 4Runner thinks the gate is open. I would have to verify that with mine later. Did you try to see if the wiper/defroster works when it’s dried out?

 

I know for certain I have not tried the rear defrost when dry, I cannot recall if I tried the rear windshield wiper while dry. I will try both the next time we have a dry day, it seems like it has been raining non-stop forever because of the loud beeping. I also forgot to mention that I cannot lock my doors without the alarm going off when wet because the door open indicator is on even when the vehicle is off…thank you for the response! I appreciate it…

 

Ahh, more of the story is revealed! I bet you have a wiring issue or one (or a few) sensors that are bad.

P.S. I live in Texas too, DFW to be exact. WHY do you need to run your rear defroster? It ain't even cold yet! We don't need to use our defrosters until late December!

 

My husband and I left very early this morning for a road trip to PA from Fredericksburg, VA and he tried turning it on. It has been raining for days and we have a ton of humidity and I use , but we realized it did not work. I know more abt vehicles than him, I was afraid it may be a wiring issue which can be very expensive to a) find the main issue, 2) then repairing it. I hate electrical stuff, my friend and I replaced the entire harness on her Ford truck and it was tedious to say the least. Most people are not even aware that the two cables that connect to the battery (making it direct current) are one end of the entire wiring harness that runs through the entire vehicle and that each sensor, bulb, etc connect to the harness. I hope it is a sensor (or two) and the problem is resolved quickly, cheaply, and easily. Maybe I should check fuses first??? I have to find where the door sensor is, I’m not sure how to determine if it is good or not without replacing it. Aye, aye, aye…ugh

 

Fuses first. Always. Then check battery cables.

 

Maybe a dumb question, but is the rear window all the way up? I'm not sure about the rear defroster, but the rear wiper will not work if the window is not completely shut.

Wish I could help with the alarm beeping, but my 2019 has no issues...

 

I still think it’s all related to the “door open” issue. The reason you can’t lock it, and it beeps, is that the 4 runner thinks the back door is still open (even though it’s not). I’m just not sure what/where the “door open” signal comes from. Once you figure out the door open issue, the wiper and defogger will probably start working again now the the 4Runner sees that the door is closed.

 

start it up make sure back window is all the way up and hatch is securely shut, then go from there.

 

I’m not sure where the door closed signal comes from either, but I agree that it likely is related to the window and defrost not working.

If I had to guess, the open/closed signal comes from the electronic latch mechanism itself. @tyonnakins , does the latch look dirty, or rusty?

 

This is a great point. If the door (rear hatch) isn't closed or if the 4Runner doesn't think it's closed then the other problems make sense. The wiper/defroster won't work if it's open. There's a relay that stops it from working. The alarm will beep a lot because, again, it thinks a door is open/ajar.

Hop in the cargo area and try to hold the door closed. Then try to lock it or have someone start the truck and try to use the wiper.

 

I just checked where the signal comes from since I’m outside anyways…

it’s from the latching mechanism. I used a flathead screwdriver to push the latch into the closed position.

It’s got a half-closed, and closed position. I used a screwdriver to get it to click over to the closed position, the “door open” light on the dash disappears.

I bet the latch is all sorts of dirty and corroded. If the light won’t turn off in the closed position, then you found your problem. To fix it, you could try disconnecting battery and cleaning it out with electrical contact cleaner spray. Otherwise, it might be easier to replace the entire electric latch actuator.

***Make sure you press the OPEN button on the door before closing it!!!!! Otherwise you might break all sorts of stuff


this is the open poisition




This is half closed






this is fully closed

 

OK, so I went out and checked mine.

The rear wiper and defogger DOES work with the door open. So maybe not the latch?

 

OP, hose that latch down with lube to see if it frees up some movement.

 

Lotta rust on that mechanism. You should ditch that 4Runner while you still can. Maybe even part it out?

 

Thanks for all the responses and help with trying to identify/resolve this super annoying issue! I have been recovering from a virus but will try each of these suggestions out within the next few days and hopefully have good news to report! I appreciate all of your time, thank you so much!

 

Has the vehicle ever been in a reported accident?

 

No accidents reported or that I am aware of!