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Rear Wiper and Defrost not working- frozen?

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by donnermel, Dec 26, 2021.

  1. Dec 26, 2021 at 6:36 PM
    #1
    donnermel

    donnermel [OP] New Member

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    Hi guys…
    So we are in the middle of getting hammered by snow in Tahoe right now. The 4Runner with new Blizzaks is a beast and so fun to drive. But today after I had been out, had used the back, everything stopped working. My rear defrost doesn’t come on, the back wiper doesn’t work too. These are both things I really need right now. Could they be frozen? Blown fuse? I tried to check the forum to see if this had happened to others. But it seemed like most people had disconnected their batteries when this happened, not my case.
    Any help is much appreciated!!
     
  2. Dec 26, 2021 at 6:41 PM
    #2
    LandCruiser

    LandCruiser I have Toyotas

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    Is your rear window all the way up?
     
  3. Dec 26, 2021 at 6:53 PM
    #3
    donnermel

    donnermel [OP] New Member

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    Yes! I definitely haven’t touched it, because it’s crazy amounts of wind and snow outside. But I guess that’s something I haven’t actually checked. Will do. Thank you!
     
  4. Dec 26, 2021 at 7:24 PM
    #4
    Beachguy

    Beachguy Normal turned up too loud

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    Absolutely check that. Mine quit working a couple of weeks ago and I did a search here and found the same advice. No idea how it came down just a little but it had and that fixed the problems.
     
  5. Dec 26, 2021 at 7:39 PM
    #5
    CJT4Runner

    CJT4Runner Frosty

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    But something might have. Only has to be a little down for both to not work. Worth the check.
     
    K-Paul, a47chuck, Slopemaster and 2 others like this.
  6. Dec 26, 2021 at 11:16 PM
    #6
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

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    Definitely the window. The switch is in a bad spot.
     
    Toy4X4 likes this.
  7. Dec 27, 2021 at 11:39 PM
    #7
    donnermel

    donnermel [OP] New Member

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    Yes!! It was the rear window, was cracked about an inch. Must have accidentally bumped the switch. Thanks guys!! Won’t make that newb mistake again.
     
    McSpazatron, K-Paul, a47chuck and 6 others like this.
  8. Dec 28, 2021 at 12:49 AM
    #8
    Slopemaster

    Slopemaster Slope Survivalist

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    These kind of threads make me happy, to hear that it wasn’t a serious malfunction. :)
     
  9. Dec 28, 2021 at 3:32 AM
    #9
    Beachguy

    Beachguy Normal turned up too loud

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    Excellent. Glad I was given that advice and could pass it on.
     
    McSpazatron and Toy4X4 like this.
  10. Jan 5, 2022 at 9:10 AM
    #10
    nonuniform

    nonuniform New Member

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    I have to give a big thanks to this forum, I had the exact same problem as the OP. Mine only has 4k miles, so, was thinking it was some factory wiring snafu, but...did a quick search and found this thread. Problem solved, window was a tiny bit down, caused all rear hatch accessories to be dead.

    Again, thank you to everyone for sharing!
     
  11. Jan 5, 2022 at 9:25 AM
    #11
    K-Paul

    K-Paul Looking for a water crossing

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    Out of sheer paranoia, I check it weekly to make sure its rolled up lol
     
  12. Jan 5, 2022 at 9:41 AM
    #12
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

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    I think an overhead switch would have been a better idea.
     
  13. Jan 7, 2022 at 6:16 AM
    #13
    AZ_Trails

    AZ_Trails New Member

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    The rear window switch on my 3rd Gen was on the dash - I definitely prefer the location on the 5th Gen. Much more convenient than on the dash, or up overhead where the sunroof controls are.
     
  14. Jan 11, 2022 at 6:24 AM
    #14
    timkins42

    timkins42 New Member

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    The suggestion to check the switch worked for me. Cleaning the interior I did not realize I had hit the switch. Wiper would not work and I was getting ready to take to dealer, then read this post. Thank you, it works after I put the window ALL the way up.
     
  15. Jan 11, 2022 at 6:34 AM
    #15
    banjos-n-beer

    banjos-n-beer New Member

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    this happened to me with my 3rd gen, so i know what to look for if the defroster doesn't seem to be working.

    i wonder why the switch isn't illuminated when almost all others are?
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2022
  16. Jan 11, 2022 at 7:16 AM
    #16
    rickystl

    rickystl New Member

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    Has not happened to me - yet. But good to know this for a future instance. Yes, thanks for the responses for this Thread. This Forum has been super helpful.
     
  17. Sep 13, 2022 at 6:56 AM
    #17
    bduvall

    bduvall New Member

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    My rear window and side mirrors were extremely fogged up this morning, and when I went to turn on the defrost button, it never turned on. Of course, sheer panic set in because it's brand-new, and I've only had it for about five months. When I was able to do some investigating, I found this thread and went to check if my window was cracked. And what do you know, it was a tiny bit rolled down. Thank you so much for the advice and for supporting the 4Runner community.

    I created an account for this forum based on the support provided here.
     
    donnermel[OP], 2Toys and rickystl like this.
  18. Mar 27, 2023 at 6:38 AM
    #18
    Nat87

    Nat87 New Member

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    This!!! It worked!
    However, the air circulation light is still not coming on(just like the rear defrost wouldnt)
    Could this be a fuse?
     
  19. Mar 27, 2023 at 7:06 AM
    #19
    UncleShorty

    UncleShorty New Member

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    Happened to me once. Wind the back window down then fully close it.

    The wiper & defroster won't work if the back window is not tightly closed.

    Just passing on what happened to me...
     
    rickystl and Captain Spalding like this.
  20. Mar 27, 2023 at 12:25 PM
    #20
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

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    Dobinson IMS Warn Bumper CaliRaised Sliders 285/70 K02s
    Overhead switches are always a better idea. Even better if they’re toggle switches lol
     

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