1998 Prerunner - Power Rear Slider (aftermarket?)

Greeting all, I've got a new-to-me 98 Tacoma Prerunner extended cab I'm fixing up. It's really in great shape, but has a few minor irritants going on.

One is my rear power sliding window, which I assume is aftermarket. Motor is mounted in the rear passenger side storage area.



Cable runs up the side behind the trim and then enters the lower corner of the rear window assembly.




The switch is located to the left of the steering column.





Problem is, even though the motor runs, nothing happens. As a matter of fact I can push the sliding part of the window back and forth with my hand. It's not attached to anything. it seems like the window has detached from the cable somehow. Anyone seen this set-up before? Any tips on how to disassemble or repair?

 

Boy, I haven’t seen aftermarket sliders like that since ths 90’s they are way cool. Does the motor to it make any sound, and did it break when you were using it I can help somewhat as Im not right there.

 

had a whole debate on that a while back.

 

How these work is a worm gear system I believe. The motor spins a cable that spins a worm gear on the track of the sliding window. Check to see if the window has engagement with it.

 

Wow, thanks for quick responses!

Answers:

• Yes, the motor runs when I engage the rocker switch in either direction. I can hear it, and I can feel it if I put my hand on the motor while pressing the button.

• I can't quite reach the cable where it runs into the window assembly to see if i can feel the cable vibrating inside, so I'm not 100% sure the cable is moving.

I really think the issue may be inside the track at the bottom of the window itself. As i said earlier, the middle section of glass slides freely. I think it has become detached from whatever is supposed to anchor it to the cable. And the entire assembly looks to be riveted and bonded together.

Curious what the "whole debate a while back" was about? Didn't realize I was bringing up a controversial topic.

 

Gotcha.

Yeah, this thing is for sure not a factory part. The motor assembly was mounted in a way that wastes almost half the storage space in the hidden compartment. If I can get it working, i will re-do the install of that part so it's better integrated.