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Can I fool the rear ECU?

Discussion in '4th Gen 4Runners (2003-2009)' started by elrotundamundo, Nov 3, 2022.

  1. Nov 3, 2022 at 1:39 AM
    #1
    elrotundamundo

    elrotundamundo [OP] New Member

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    Several years ago I bought a 2007 SR5 and found rust in the tailgate. Eventually the metal brackets holding the rear window glass rusted and the glass dropped. Since I rarely opened the rear window, I just removed the tracks and window motor assembly and made some brackets to hold the window in the raised position.

    All is well, except the rear wiper, washer and defroster no longer work, because whatever signal the window motor sent to the ECU telling it the window is fully raised is no longer present.

    I have driven it several months without these items and can get by, but having them back this winter would be convenient. Can anyone tell me if it is possible to jumper across wires at the now unused window motor connector to "fool" the ECU into thinking the window is up?
     
  2. Nov 3, 2022 at 3:55 AM
    #2
    Daddykool

    Daddykool Photography enthusiast

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    Isn't it just a switch that isn't being held closed, possibly because the window isn't all the way up? It only needs to be a tiny bit low to not work. To test, are you able to manually raise the window up while someone activates the wiper or defrost?
     
  3. Nov 3, 2022 at 5:28 AM
    #3
    Ironguy

    Ironguy New Member

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    Welcome!
     
  4. Nov 4, 2022 at 1:52 AM
    #4
    elrotundamundo

    elrotundamundo [OP] New Member

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    The window is fully raised and held in place with some metal brackets I made for that purpose. I am unable to see a switch or any wiring that would serve such a purpose.
     
  5. Nov 4, 2022 at 3:30 AM
    #5
    Daddykool

    Daddykool Photography enthusiast

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    I've done some searching but it's difficult to locate a good drawing or parts breakdown online. But there is a switch somewhere. If the window is 1-2mm from fully closed, it won't make that switch, and none of those items will work. Maybe call the parts department at a dealership, where they should be able to tell you where that switch lives (it would be called a window sensor or something along those lines. A good parts guy should be able to identify where it is). Maybe it's in the liftgate and is actuated by the regulator (and not the glass itself).
     
  6. Nov 4, 2022 at 4:50 AM
    #6
    Daddykool

    Daddykool Photography enthusiast

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    Sorry, I may be wrong about this. My 1988 had a switch, I believe, so I assumed they still did it this way. But I called a local dealership parts guy, and he found no such switch for a 2007. So it must be that the window motor is a servo that senses when the window is fully down or up, as you were saying. I wonder if it would be fooled into thinking the window is up if you reconnect the motor?
     
  7. Nov 5, 2022 at 2:14 AM
    #7
    elrotundamundo

    elrotundamundo [OP] New Member

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    Sadly, the motor and tracks are no longer with me. Plan B is to run wires from the center console to the wiper and defroster, isolate them from the ECU and control them with added switches on the console. So far not having wiper, washer and defroster has not been inconvenient enough to go to the trouble.

    Thanks all for your comments
     
    Daddykool likes this.
  8. Feb 2, 2024 at 1:16 PM
    #8
    snyoung678

    snyoung678 New Member

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    Was this problem ever solved. If so, how? I am experiencing the same thing. Window is fully raised and braced. Wiper, defroster, and washer not working. Is it a sensor somewhere?
     
  9. Feb 2, 2024 at 1:52 PM
    #9
    RumHamRunner73

    RumHamRunner73 Dead on with a zero

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    Did not see any follow up from OP. Looks like he was last on here in December of 2022.

    Welcome to the forum, by the way!
     

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