Cebby

My rear window defroster quit for some reason. I had taken the window out for cleaning the mechanism and track this past summer. I hooked up the defroster wired the way I thought they had been on there. The weird thing was, the connectors weren't keyed (ie. idiot proof) like the other connectors in the Runner. Before I rip this thing apart, I wondered if this had happened to anyone else. I saw a diode in the circuit in the electrical manual and wondered if I just need to switch the wires. The fuse is good.

Bundubasher

Hi
Don't know if UK and US vehicles have the same rear window design, but on the UK 4Runners the rear window slides up and down into the rear door which will then fold down like a pick-up trucks.

The demisting element is "painted" (dry transfer process I suppose) onto the inside of the window. With this window going up and down each time you open the back - wear and tear occurs on this element. If you look at it hard (close-up) you might see lots of hairline cracks etc - these eventually "break" the demisting circuit and so the thing stops working.

You can buy this "electrically conducting " paint and then it's just the arduous process of touching it up by hand!

Hope this is some help.
Rgds

enzo

Cebby

I checked it out and it looks OK still. BTW, the US and UK tailgate/rear window are the same in this regard. I'm going to try to switch the wires and see what that does. Finally have some mid 40's weather coming. It's been 10 deg F at night when I can work on the truck. BRRRRRRRR

Cebby

Jeremy,

Could you post a pic of your rear tails. I think they are different than US spec in that they contain an integral reverse light. I'd like to see these if possible.

Thanks!

Bundubasher

Hi Cebby
Look I was just offering an opinion based on what happend to me and what Toyota UK said, and if all else fails, it might just be worth looking over your rear window demister wires with a magnifying glass to rule it out.

As to the pic, you mean my tail lights? It is bloody cold and dark when I leave work and I only have a piss-poor "Jam-Cam" at home, but I'll give it a shot.

In the UK we have to have a white reversing light as well as one rear, red, foglight. If I don't get a shot maybe UKMeyers or someone might be able to help.

ciao

Cebby

Enzo,

Hey, thanks for your help. BTW, I had a Celica that had the problem you described with the "wires". I had forgotten all about it. I thought once they quit, you had to get a new window. Glad they can be fixed...

Re: the tails, thanks. I'm sure Joey can help us. I think the true Euro tails would be a cool mod for the US 4R.