Rear hatch window push button switches, driver door interlock?

The use of the push-button switches on the rear hatch is a little weird. The manual says you can only use them when the ignition is off and the rear hatch is closed. If I also have my driver door open, the switch will allow me to lower (open) the rear window. But if I attempt to close the window, with the driver door open, it won’t. I get a buzzer and a red icon on the display telling me a door is open. If I close the driver door then the rear window will raise (close) using the rear push-buttons. The manual doesn’t describe this interlock. It makes sense you might turn off the vehicle, then go to the rear to remove something thru the window. So it lets you open the window with the driver door open. Why does it prohibit closing the window with the driver door open? I assume it’s just a reminder that the door is open since if you’re closing the rear window with the ignition off, you’re probably walking away from the vehicle. I confirmed with my 4R if ANY door is open the rear hatch window won’t close (move up) until you close the open doors. Also any open door gives the same buzzer and red “door ajar” icon on instrument cluster. So it’s not just the driver door.

 

I had the same issue with mine.

It was explained to me that the “interlock” is related to the door locks. When the rear window switch is activated in the up position, the doors lock. Once the doors lock, the window goes up. If a door is open, the doors can’t lock which in turn keeps window from going up. That’s why you hear the long beep when try to move the window with the door open.

Hope this sheds some light on it.

 

That makes perfect sense. The “Up” switch even says “lock” on it. They can’t lock with a door open. Thanks for the explanation. You can use that up switch to lock the vehicle from the rear hatch , outside the vehicle. I have used it and you can hear them lock and see the rear tail lights flicker when locking.

 

Have the same problem. All doors are closed, ignition is off, window lock button is not activated, keyfob in my pocket. The hatch window goes down but I WILL NOT close (go up) using the arrow push buttons.

 

That sounds abnormal. Mine wouldn’t close with ANY door open because the 4 R is not able to lock all the doors. After getting the buzzer and closing the open door(s), the rear hatch window will close (go up). The owners manual has some steps to go thru to reset the control circuitry, maybe related to the jam
Protection? I would try those steps. I assume the driver center console rear hatch window switch will close the rear window? If so it verifies the closing function of the drive motor. That implies it’s just some kind of interlock? Of course the key fob must be within the detection range.

 

SOLVED.

It turns out that I forgot that the spare key (second copy) was inside the console compartment. Thats why it was not closing window because it detected key inside.

Stupid me Error.

 

Nice!

 

Yup, I have a friend who is a Toyota tech tell me early on that he had a Prius burn him with that. The owner had a “hidden key” in it.