So I recently got my whole rear window working great, but now the key switch to put the window down doesn't work. I have no idea what's causing it, because the key switch to put the window up works perfectly fine. Also, the interior switch still works fine to put the window down. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

P.S. I opened up the tailgate and found two random cut wires that were disconnected... anyone know is this is the cause of my problem?

http://s1224.photobucket.com/albums/...t=IMAG0170.jpg

 

I believe the wires in your picture are either
a) Rear Defrost leads. I don't knowwhy, but for some reason a LOT of these I found disconnected on 4Runners.
b) Leads for either the "UNLOCK" warning light or "WIPER CONTROL SWITCH" or both.

There is a large plug on the passenger side of the tailgate's interior that powers both the key switch AND your license plate lights. Check that it is fully plugged in and the contacts are not corroded. Purchase "CRC ELECTRICAL CONTACT CLEANER" in the fluids section at a nearby autoparts store. FLOOD the key switch. This chemical is pretty much teh saem thing as carburetor cleaner, but safe for plastics. (Yes, I have melted plastics using the WRONG solvent before).

If the above does not solve your dilemma, inspect the wiring for that switch in the conduit between tailgate and body (the tailgate jam area). In some cases, I could see damage occuring there.

I don't see this being relay damage, the key switch and rocker switch share the same relay.

Let us know how it goes... I'm pretty familiar with this system. Despite what others may say, the rear window circuit was beautifully designed, but often left un maintained.

 

Check if the window lock button (middle button) in your console is pushed down. I believe the button prevents the key switch from operating the window.

 

This switch prevents the rear window from doing anything at all in my 1995 4Runner, if it is pressed the window will not go up OR down using any controls. It has faked my wife into thinking the back window motor was broken a couple of times...

The window lock button affects the operation of every window except the driver's one, if I remember correctly.

 

I hate links...

 

There is also a micro switch in the driverside tailgate latch....

 

Well, it's not the obvious window lock, or anything like that...I wish. I still need to pick up some contact cleaner and try that. As of that I've just opened up the back and looked all I there. It's so cramped in that tailgate that it's hard to see around in there, but everything looks pretty good. So when I roll the window all the way up, using the key hole, I hear a click like it's getting power, but I don't hear it at all when trying to roll the window down woth the keyhole. Btw thanks for all the help so far. And bigbluepile what does this "microswitch" look like? Thanks

 

lol, it's itty bitty.

I'm trying to remember the problem I had with my rear window. I wanna say I couldn't get it to roll down...I remember hot wiring the motor to bring the window down so I could get the damn tailgate down. That micro switch, IIRC, tells the system if the tailgate is shut all the way. It's located in the drivers side latch. You'll have to unbolt the latch to get to it and you should see it. Just follow the wires. Mine had actually come apart and I just put it back together. Havent had a problem since.