I just bought a 98 SR5 (woo hoo, my first T4R) and the rear window on the hatch is dead. It doesn't work from the button on the console or with the key in back. I took it to a dealership and they said the diagnosis is $90 and will take 4 hours!!! If its the motor it will cost over $500 to replace!!!! I'm so disappointed because the rear window is one of my favorite features on the car.

Is there any way I can diagnose the problem myself? I'm not super car savvy but I'll try anything once.

(addl. info - all other windows work, the rear window button is lit when headlights are on, there is no noise coming from the back during tests)

 

You could remove the pannel and find the plug for the window motor and test it for power (have someone press it while you use a tester) If there is power there then the motor needs to be replaced. I'm not sure about yours, but on the second gens the motor is the same on the rear window as it is in some toyota cars with power windows (drivers side) Hope this helps....

 

here ya go

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...arWindow.shtml

 

First And Foremost:

check the power window lock button on your driver's door. do your other windows work? the driver's window will always work. the little lock switch will lock out all other power windows INCLUDING the rear window.

 

Everything else works fine, however I haven't tried using the rear wiper. I'll let you know what happens.

axon - thanks for the info, although it seems to be geared towards first and second gen, I'll try some of the tips anyway.

 

BREAKTHROUGH:

NOTHING on the hatch door works. Wiper, license plate lights and window all do not function. Could this be a simple issue with a plug not being connected with the main body? A fuse issue?
I happened to look at my rear wiper knob and it was turned to 'ON' when I opened my car, probably been that way since I got it. Since its never gone off I assume that means there's a missing connection somewhere.

EDIT: fuse is good, just checked it. could it be a connection somewhere between the hatch and the body?

 

could be... you have to pull the hatch cover to find out...

 

does anyone know where the connector is between the body and the hatch? I bought a Haynes manual today but its unclear where the connection is. First off, the picture in the manual is of the wiper fluid hose, not the electrical. I got both sides of the wiring exposed but don't see any connections. Is the connector on the body side or door side? How do I get to it?

 

I figured it out!!

Check out the answer here:
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/showthread.php?p=599528

Thanks for all the help guys