Just recently I encountered a problem with my tailgate on my 1st gen. Using the key it will roll down just fine, but not up. From the inside switch it goes both directions with no problems. I'm assuming there is a bad relay or something liek that, but I was wondering if anyone has encountered this exact problem before and if you guys know which part is not working specifically or how I could go about diagnosing/fixing the problem.
Thanks
Jake

 

i have encountered a similar problem, but i have to jiggle the key in there a good bit, about 5 to 10 times, to get it to work, lucky for me, it hasn't gone out completely, but try this if you haven't.

 

sounds like the actual lock cylinder, or the electric contacts for it. In order to fix it, you will have to remove it from the gate. Alas that requires a bit of work, such as getting the glass up with the gate open, and unscrewing both back cover panels, etc.

 

i dont have a key hole in my tailgate

 

how do you not have a keyhole in your tailgate? All 4Runners came equipped with a rolldown rear window.

 

I had the same problem and my friend is a 15 year toyota mechinic told me to go to dealer and get them to find key code recut a new key and now mine works fine not to mention it made the locks all unlock after getting it replaced as well