ayoung101

my rear window works with the button in the center console, but not the key switch on the tailgate. this is a pain. i always walk around back and then remember i have to open the window from up front FIRST, and have to go back inside, put the keys back in, open the window, go open the tailgate, close the tailgate, go back up front, roll the window up and remove the keys again. i REALLY want to get that key switch/lock working. i KNOW this is a VERY common problem on these vehicles. my question is: what is the best way to fix it?

oh, by the way, i have an 89 4runner DX, 22re, 5-speed

toy283

Mine has the same exact problem. Problem is that I tested the switch; good. I tested the relay pack; good. I tested continuity of the two wires running between them; bad. I've just been too damn lazy to tear the whole back end of the truck apart to run two new wires so I live with it.

ayoung101

this will sound kindof like a funny question, especially considering i'm an engineer. but for the record, i'm a MECHANICAL engineer! we don't understand all that electrical crap. here goes: how exactly do you test the relay pack and the switch? i know how to do the wires. just use my d.m.m. and touch both (known) ends of the wire and see if they show a reading.

toy283

You do the same with the switch and relay pack. For the switch, you turn it each way with the key and check continuity through it each way. If I recall, there are three wires; up, down, and a common. Same with the relay but it's a little more complex. It's been a few years since I did the troubleshoot but basically, you need to trip the relay and check output voltages. Mine had good voltage where it needed to be when it needed to be so I figured it was good. That's when I checked the wires running from the relay pack to the rear switch and found broken continuity in those. It kinda surprised me that both were bad but that's what I found.

SoCal4Running

Well, I'll trade you my working key switch for your working center console switch, LOL.

ayoung101

well, that'd be nice, but then i'd have to start another thread just like this one for the center console switch! hahaha