Here is a good one for you troubleshooters.

When I start my 4Runner, the back window opens by itself! This problem seems to be related to the parking brake. If I remember take the parking brake off before starting the engine, the window stays up. The switch works sporatically to close the window. Sometimes it will work if I put the vehicle in gear and move a little. The switch for the window is located near the brake lever so I am assuming there is a short. Someone at work told me that it may be a negative ground and so instead the switch not working when it is shorted out, it causes the window to open without touching the switch. So far I've always been able to get the window closed but I really would like to resolve this before it gets worse!

Any advice on how to go about tracking down the problem? I found a good mechanic lately but he doesn't get into electrical stuff and the dealer will be expensive.

Thanks to anyone with an idea! Janis

 

mmmmmmm electrical gremlins.... those are fun... good luck!

 

I would start by checking the wiring under the window switch and around the parking brake lever. Look for any bare wires or missing insulation. The window switch does ground one wire for up and one for down. Could be one of the wires has got caught in the parking brake mech and is getting grounded.

 

my thinking too. disconnect the switch and see what happens.

 

You can get a pretty good look in there without even taking it apart, just grab a flashlight & push back the rubber on each side of the parking brake. Bet theres a wire misrouted in there.

 

Thanks for the help!