Symptoms
The rear glass bounces back down as if it found an obstruction, or stays down. Common after a battery disconnect or an obstruction event.
The fix, step by step
- Initialise it: hold the switch down until the glass is fully open, then hold it up until it closes and keep holding about a second longer (Toyota TSB T-SB-0279-09 covers back-door window initialisation for early trucks).
- If it still balks, blow out the tracks with compressed air and wipe inside them with rubber cleaner on a doubled rag over a screwdriver.
- Check the hatch switch isn't physically stuck.
Tools & part numbers
- Compressed air
- rubber cleaner
- rags
- flat screwdriver
Where to buy the parts
Power window switches (if the hatch switch is bad)RockAuto ↗Amazon ↗
Liftgate sealsRockAuto ↗Amazon ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Toyota 4Runner 5th Gen parts →
Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.