4Runner Rear Window Problems
One of the biggest problems has been the power rear window of the 4Runner.The first motor died after about 7 years following a very dusty trip to Central Australia.It cost me about $500.00 to get it replaced at an Auto Electricians.
About 18 months ago I started to have trouble with the window not closing properly,it would stop about 20mm from the top. After reading various articles on the internet ,I decided to try and fix it myself.
Firstly I removed the cover plate on the tailgate and working from inside the car I jumpered 12 V directly to the motor (using a 2 way switch).The Window operated and slowly got to the closed position.
From various 4Runner forums I discovered that the "Up Relay" in the control box which operates the power window often burns its contacts.Some web sites recommend cleaning the contacts,others swapping this relay with the windscreen rear window washer relay,I decided to replace them with some similar ones bought from a local electronics shop. Unfortunately this did not make any difference.
The next step was to replace the motor which I found are common to most Toyotas (rear L/H door motor from a Camery or Corolla).I got one of Ebay for about $60.00 (a lot cheaper than from Toyota) On removing the old motor I found that the gear cog was very badly worn and that the mating gear in the window regulator was also worn in one spot causing the window to stop .
I needed a new regulator mechanism which I obtained after much searching on Ebay for about $70.00 complete with motor (wreckers wanted to sell the whole tailgate).Not being confident on removing the rear window to replace the regulator I got a local Auto Electrician to do the job (cost $85.00 which I thought was OK as he said "it was a brute of a job").
On examining the old regulator I found the reason of why the gear was worn.It was due to the small nylon rollers at the end of the regulator arm which run in the steel channel inside the tailgate.One was worn oval and the other was missing causing the regulator arm to jam in the upper position.
I now lubricated the regulator mechanism and steel channel with Spray grease, and the rubber seals with silicon spray.It now works better than it has for years.
Old relays in control box New relays in control box Rear Window repair links which I found useful
Rear window cheap tricks ---- a very detailed fault finding site
