Not your average rear window problem
 

Hey guys,
I am new to the forum. I just bought a 1988 4runner sr5 4cyl 5spd.
I was having an issue with my rear window so I thought to use the search function and see if anyone has had similar problems and I have found no answer to my problem.

My issue is: My rear window rolls up and down just fine using either the key or the button. The only issue is: it does not roll up all the way. It goes till about 1 inch from being fully closed and stops. I can still hear the motor trying to go (there is a ticking sound). I opened it up and checked the gears and everything seems to be fine.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks in advance

Did you check the motor gears?? I know when i replaced mine, there was a groove right down the middle of the gear so that it just slid through the teeth of the larger gears attached to the actuator.

I'm thinking there is a sensor that activates when the window reaches near the top. Tells it when to stop so to speak. So your sensor has slid down an inch or whatever.

Google-ing is frequently a better search tool than through these actual forums.

I am simply guessing-I am no mechanic and not pretending to be-but I believe I have read about this either on this fine forum or T4R.org. 2nd gen mechanism would be similar if not identical to a first gens in most respects.

Congrats soccer nut on your new to you ride, welcome aboard, and the crowd is clamoring for pics pics pics.

Could there be a physical obstruction?

Hard to say without seeing, but if you're hearing the motor click then it's still trying to roll the rest of the way up. There are no sensors saying 'i'm all the way up, shut off now' like on the newer vehicles with the auto up feature, and this is pinch protection so you can't accidently roll someone's head up in it.

I'd say your regulator is either jammed, or busted.

Thanks guys,
I dont think there is any obstructions cause I can push the window all the way up with my hand.
I checked the gears and they seem to be fine.
I will check for that sensor. I tried taking everything apart but I can't seem to be able to figure out how to pull the whole thing out. Any tutorials out there?

As requested, here are some pictures of the latest edition to the family (My FJ got a little brother)....lol

Try this. Roll the rear window up as far as it will go on its own (so it stops with that inch or wahtever is left that it won't do by itself. Then try to operate the rear windshield wiper. It should not work unless the window is all the way up. If the rear wiper works with the back window rolled down a little bit, then your problem is probably with that limit switch. If the rear wiper won't work, then the system is operating as designed and you have a mechanical problem (regulator).

The rear wiper doesn't work when I do that. But it will work if I push the window up the rest of the way.

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...arWindow03.jpg

this may help with the location of some of those switches, and sensors, hope it helps

my window dont go up all the way, but it closes enough to keep rain out, teeth missing on gears as well.

is the key switch in the tail gate supposed to roll the window up as well?

Could be the limit switch or possibly just too much resistance. Take it apart, clean the tracks, regulator and weatherstripping, grease the tracks/regulator and wipe the weatherstripping with silicone. Clean the glass edges really well.

IF the wiper will not work like that, but will work when you push it up the rest of the way by hand, then the limit switch is working fine. There's nothing wrong with that. I do wish people would stop saying the limit switch. You have a mechanical problem in either the motor, or the regulator. I would say regulator just because I've seen many of them corrode, rust, and/or break. Take the trim panel itself off of the tailgate and watch it when you roll the window up (sit in the back with a flashlight while someone else works the switch). You will see something either bind, jump, or something will change out of the ordinary. This should point you in the direction of what has failed.

So, upon further checking, I found that one of the gears that drive the window up is work right near the end and the two driving gears start slipping at that point.
I am wondering if you can get the gears by themselves instead of buying the whole assembly?

I would say, that is not possible. The gears are rivetted on as far as i can remember. Look in a junkyard for parts from the similar generation

;) d

You need a new rear window regulator. Shouldn't be too expensive. I bought a DS regulator on ebay recently for about $25. Make sure you clean and lube everything up and you should be good for another 20 years.