Rear hatch won’t open unless engine is turned on.

I have a 2004 4wd v8 4runner, and there’s something screwy going in the rear hatch. I’ve seen posts here about rear hatch problems, but not this one in particular.

1. The rear hatch won’t open unless the engine is running

2. Rear window will roll up and down but you have to hold the button down the whole time (except when I’ve been driving for awhile, it will be good and auto-roll up and down)

3. Rear wiper and defroster won’t work (again, unless I’ve been driving for a while)

4. Using the rear lock doesn’t roll window up or down as it should.


In regards to the first problem, I’ve recently replaced the brain in the rear hatch and now the hatch will open if a.) the engine is running or b.) the engine is off but the ignition key is at “start”, which is an improvement.

Im baffled by all this weirdness. I gotta think that’s there is one fix that will restore regular function to the rear defrost, wiper and rear window.

could it be a relay?

 

Check the battery, even if you’re certain it’s okay. These are typical bad battery symptoms. Alternator too (actually Toyota calls it a generator). Sometimes the battery is good but not getting enough power to charge properly.

 

I just replaced the battery. No luck

 

Still might check the alternator. The charging system on 4th Gens can be a rabbit hole. My issues went away when I swapped out the alternator.