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Rear Window Cheap Tricks

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Rear Window Tips:

Here's a couple of tips I have used to improve the operation of the rear window wiper on my 1st generation 4Runner.

Tired of having to dig out your keys just to open the @*$%-ing rear window?
You either need to use the rear key switch or worse, turn on the ignition to use the front switch. Well after studying the wiring schematics, the key to this seems to be the rear window relay module, which is located inside the body panel right above the driver's side seatbelt retractor. You'll need to remove the interior panel to access the module. So, with module and schematic in hand, you'll notice that there is an up/down input from the key switch (that operates with the ignition off) and an up/down input from the front switch that operates with the ignition on. Simple fix is to just jumper the two sets of inputs together. As luck would have it, the two up inputs (pins 5 and 12) are just across the connector from each other, as are the two downs (pins 4 and 11). Two 1/4" pieces of wire soldered between the respective solder pads will do the job nicely.
One tip when re-installing the relay, be sure to use some adhesive/sealant on the mounting tabs. When I took mine out, I noticed it was loose and probably is the source of the rattle I was hearing in back.
Function Wire Pin #
Window Motor - 2 L/B 1
Window Limit Switch R/W 2
Window Motor - 1 L/Y 3
Blank pin n/c n/c
Dash/Window Down G/Y 4
Dash/Window Up R/Y 5
Battery/+12VDC L 6
To - Washer Switch L 7
Engine/+12VDC R 8
To - Wiper Relay L/R 9
Ground W/B 10
Back/Window Down L/W 11
Back/Window Up L/B 12
Wiper Retracted G/Y 13
Rear Window Relay
How do the rear wiper and window operate?
So how can they be made to work better?

Rear window connector

Cost:

  1  Thin brass nut               $0
  4 #10-25 threaded inserts        2
  4 #10 machine screws+washers     1
  ----------------------------------
  Total                           $3

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Last updated: 07.JUL.1999

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