Another rear window problem

[oldforester]

I need some help. my rear window doesn't do anything. I have read some of the threads but am still confused as to what my problem is. Number one how do I find the tailgate safety switch? There are the three blue wires and one black coming out of the wiring harness at the bottom of the tailgate and then they disappear behind the regulator. Should there be power to those wires? When I try the switch on the dash nothing happens and the same for the key switch in the tailgate. I tried to remove the regulator by taking out the four bolts so I could see behind it but no luck. Any help would be appreciated. I found the relay under the dash and it clicks when I plug or unplug it. Does that mean it is working?I hate to sound so dumb but I just don't know where to turn to, getting frustrated.

 

[Pighead]

Number one how do I find the tailgate safety switch?

It is traditionally mounted on the body, on the Driver's side (USA) on the rear-most pillar...about the size of a deck of cards with a plunger that is depressed when the tailgate is closed.

 

[oldforester]

I checked that out and can't see anything like a switch or something with wires. I even took off the little square panels on the rear that give access to the tailights from the inside and reached up along the inside next to the tailgate and could feel nothing. Did that to both sides. Is it possible that I don't have a switch? My pig is a 1978 US model. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Gonzo55]

My 78 has this safety switch is in the tailgate jamb drivers side . It had 2 wires that should be connected 1 is a white with black stripe and goes down to harness the other one is black and is directly grounded to body ( see pic). Of you want to rule out a bad safety switch connect the 2 wires and that will by pass it .Also everything runs through the key switch in tailgate mine window wouldnt work either and I took off the plate on the back of the key switch and found the brass contacts dirty. I cleaned the contacts with a little sand paper and it worked. There is also a relay for the back window located under dash that you might want to make sure it has power. It is located under dash directly above the hand brake .see pic as well.

 

[oldforester]

Gonzo, Thank you, thank you. Your pics were very helpful. Went out to Mr. Pig and found the wires with plug in connectors and just put them together and what do you know it worked! Problem is the regulator came down without the window as the channel that holds the window is all rusted and shot, but after i pulled the window down I could open the tailgate and see the safety switch. The tailgate key switch still doesn't work but I will get to it after I get the regulator out. any tips on that? Where do you think I can find a window channel, SORs perhaps?

Again thanks.

 

[Gonzo55]

I have the channel and regulator PM me

 

[PabloCruise]

My 78 has this safety switch is in the tailgate jamb drivers side . It had 2 wires that should be connected 1 is a white with black stripe and goes down to harness the other one is black and is directly grounded to body ( see pic). Of you want to rule out a bad safety switch connect the 2 wires and that will by pass it .Also everything runs through the key switch in tailgate mine window wouldnt work either and I took off the plate on the back of the key switch and found the brass contacts dirty. I cleaned the contacts with a little sand paper and it worked. There is also a relay for the back window located under dash that you might want to make sure it has power. It is located under dash directly above the hand brake .see pic as well.

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Great pics Gonzo!

There is a circuit breaker under the dash as well, correct?

 

[Gonzo55]

Yes above hand brake

 

[bigsal]

Gonzo, Thank you, thank you. Your pics were very helpful. Went out to Mr. Pig and found the wires with plug in connectors and just put them together and what do you know it worked! Problem is the regulator came down without the window as the channel that holds the window is all rusted and shot, but after i pulled the window down I could open the tailgate and see the safety switch. The tailgate key switch still doesn't work but I will get to it after I get the regulator out. any tips on that? Where do you think I can find a window channel, SORs perhaps?

Again thanks.

You can take that rear key switch apart and fix it most likely. I've fixed two that were 'dead'. They're very simple inside.

 

[oldforester]

Thanks bigsal. Will do, I plan to look at the switch this weekend. Anyone out there have a good spare window channel that they would be willing to part with? Mine is shot.

 

[zJohnQ]

Hi,

Sorry but no idea how to start a new post or thread. The problem that I have might not have much to do with the topic.

I got a 1996 Land Cruiser. The window on the back door has some tear track, and it's getting worse and worse. I sanded it and patched up with filler a few times but it won't solve the problem. Now I have a big hole in it. I'm thinking cut off the piece of metal (I know it's High Tensile Steel) and weld it up with stainless steel or aluminum. Then apply filler and paint it. Would you think it's going to work?

Thanks in advance.

zjohnq

 

[PabloCruise]

Hi,

Sorry but no idea how to start a new post or thread. The problem that I have might not have much to do with the topic.

I got a 1996 Land Cruiser. The window on the back door has some tear track, and it's getting worse and worse. I sanded it and patched up with filler a few times but it won't solve the problem. Now I have a big hole in it. I'm thinking cut off the piece of metal (I know it's High Tensile Steel) and weld it up with stainless steel or aluminum. Then apply filler and paint it. Would you think it's going to work?

Thanks in advance.

zjohnq

You might be better off asking in the 80 section, where there are more of the 1996 Land Cruisers. Good luck!