Intermittent Window, 3rd Trip to Dealer

(Too long, didn't read at bottom.)

Problem

My passenger front window works intermittently when using the passenger switch. It always works if you use the driver side switch. All the other windows always work fine. The windows are not locked. It happens about 50% of the time after I turn the ignition on. It doesn't matter if the truck is running, as long as the key is in the "On" position. So, I can duplicate it reliably.

When the window is all the way up and you try to roll it up, you can hear the motor try to move the window up, but since it's already up of course the window doesn't move, you just hear the motor try to move the window. If you try to roll the window down, nothing. Not a sound. The motor does nothing. Completely dead. If you turn the truck off and back on there's a good chance it'll work normally.

Also worthy of mention, if you "kick start" the passenger side window using the driver side switch (i.e., tap the driver side switch down to just barely move the passenger side window) the passenger side switch will work, up and down, as it should, at least until the ignition is cycled.

Background

This has been a problem since I bought the truck new in Colorado in 2012. I live in New Mexico. I didn't notice it much in the beginning because I don't carry too many passengers but eventually it started becoming more obvious as passengers would say, "Hey, why can't I roll down my window?"

I finally got fed up with it and took it in to Larry H. Miller American Toyota in Albuquerque, NM. The Service Manager took note and was puzzled. They ordered a new window switch. They called me a few days later to install the switch. I tested the switch before leaving the dealer and it worked okay. Unfortunately on the drive home it failed again. It was too late to go back to the dealer.

I took the truck back a couple weeks later and the Service Manager was puzzled yet again. This time they kept the truck and I drove home in a rental.

The tech called me later that day and asked, "I've been going over this thing all day and found a switch near the drive side floor. What is it?" I told him it is the ABS kill switch from this thread: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...kill-switch-mod-05-offroad-easy-way-pics.html

He told me, "Well when I unplugged that switch the window started working. It's part of the same circuit as the window." Um. Okay. I can't argue because I'm not a Toyota Engineer. I mean, who knows. I had my doubts because the problem has always been intermittent, and it was a problem before I ever installed that ABS kill switch. The ABS kill mod always worked great for me, BTW. Anyway, okay. I picked up the truck and drove it for a few days. Guess what? Problem is still there. ABS kill switch is still disconnected.

So, I completely removed all traces of the ABS kill switch to eliminate any doubt and took it back to the dealer for the 3rd time. The Service Manager recognizes me and says, "Well, we'll take the truck but now that we have the switch mod on file I'm not sure what's going to happen."

I've been modding cars/trucks for many years. I completely understand customers and mods and warranty. I take full responsibility if my truck vibrates after installing a lift, etc., but I cannot believe that the Transfer Indicator Switch for the Rear Diff Lock has anything to do with the passenger window switch. Easy for them to blame, hard for me to dispute, but c'mon, let's be real here. How many people have installed that mod and had zero problems? Don't forget it was a problem before I ever installed that ABS kill switch.

So here I am today, truck is at the dealer again. I am fully expecting them to blame it on the ABS kill switch that is long gone. Anyone have any suggestions on my next action? They can blame it on me all day long, and I may or may not get a solution from them, but unless they fix it I am still left with an intermittent window. I can open a case with Toyota, argue with them, etc., but at the end of the day I'm not trying to argue with anyone, I just want the window to work normally.

Take it to an independent shop? I'm happy to pay someone if they know how to fix the problem. Don't wanna pay someone unless they know for sure they can fix it without guessing and throwing random parts at it, all the while charging me for their time. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions that would be awesome.

Note: I'm not looking for suggestions on how to argue with the dealer. They will either help me or not. I'm not bitching about the dealer. They've been nice, just haven't fixed the problem.

TL;DR: Passenger window works intermittent, dealer has no idea, blamed ABS kill switch, I'm just looking for a solution.

 

Wish I had an answer, but I came here searching for the same thing. Wife bought a '14 Tacoma and the same thing happens. Passenger sometimes can't roll down the window, child safety button isn't engaged, as soon as the driver rolls down the window, passenger can use their control just fine. As it's her wheels and not mine, I haven't had the chance to reliably duplicate the problem, but it happens often enough that I know it's "a thing." She took it by the dealer yesterday and they weren't able to replicate the problem at that time, and the wife hadn't done the legwork to make the problem repeatable.

Anyhow, I guess that's something I'll tack on to my to do list to experiment with. Only problem the thing has shown so far.

 

Here's how to duplicate it: The truck does not need to be running to display the issue, the key only needs to be in the on position. So, turn the key to on, then test the passenger window. Window working? Turn key to off, back to on, then test again. Keep cycling through off/on/test and it'll happen sooner than later. Once it does happen (if you want to drive to the dealer to show it to them) you can start the truck and the window will not function until you either use the driver side button or turn the truck off/on.

So, if it happens don't let the dealer turn the truck off when you get there! Or, when you get to the dealer, turn the truck off and begin cycling the ignition until it happens. I promise the issue will confuse them. LOL

Happy to hear it's not just me, sad to hear it's you too. If, by chance, you find the solution please post back here; I'm out of my 3yr/36k warranty but I would happily pay someone if they knew how to fix it.

My dealer replaced the "junction box" since my original post. No difference. Who knows.

 

I'm not familiar with the wiring but I'd thought I'd through out a few thoughts..

If you are saying the window must be up when this happens??? I'm wondering two things. 1. The window has an "full up" switch which opens when the window is fully up. If hardwired, This "should" open the connection to the "up" direction of the motor.. I'd check this switch and adjustments if it is there .... (I realize this may make more sense if it failed to go up ... but I'd check the switch anyway ...)

2.) The ECU may be sensing that the window is closed and it's tight - tight enough for the window motor or ECU to think the window is stuck and shuts off the motor before it burns out.... Try lubing the window slides... I'd try some polish on the window glass at the edges ???

 

It's my understanding that the ECU has no control of the windows. Relays and voltage loads is what stops the window when at the end of it's travel.

 

OK. Let me reword the post-

2.) The window Relay(s)/ circuit and/or motor may be sensing that the window is closed and it's tight - tight enough for the window motor or ECU to think the window is stuck and shuts off the motor before it burns out.... Try lubing the window slides... I'd try some polish on the window glass at the edges ???

 

Windshield / Windowglass
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Power Window Control System: System Description, How To Proceed With Troubleshooting
Power Window Control System: Problem Symptoms Table, Terminals Of ECU, On-Vehicle Inspection
Power Window Control System: Remote Up / Down Function Does Not Operate
Power Window Control System: Driver Side Power Window Does Not Operate With Power Window Master Switch
Power Window Control System: Front Passenger Side Power Window Does Not Operate With Front Passenger Side Power Window Switch
Power Window Control System: Rear Power Window LH Does Not Operate With Rear Power Window Switch LH
Power Window Control System: Rear Power Window RH Does Not Operate With Rear Power Window Switch RH
Power Window Control System: Power Windows Do Not Operate AT All
Power Window Control System: Power Window Can Be Operated After Ignition Switch Is Turned Off Even If Operative Conditions Are Not Met
Windshield Glass: Components
Windshield Glass: Removal
Windshield Glass: Installation
Back Window Glass: Components
Back Window Glass: Removal
Back Window Glass: Installation
Quarter Window Glass (For Access Cab): Components, Removal, Installation




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Man, my search-fu is apparently weak. I'd be curious to see if this addresses the intermittent nature of the problem. Let the sciencing begin!

Anyhow, once I have an update over the success or failure, I shall report.

 

Well, my wife just returned from the dealer, where she was able to replicate the problem. According to this dealership, it's been an intermittent problem for model years dating back to 2004, and to quote my wife quoting them, the window position switch "gets confused and doesn't know whether the window is up or down when receiving the switch command." I assume that means something slightly different. Anyhow, their solution was as follows:

Starting with the passenger side window in a functional state, from the passenger side switch press the button to lower the window, and when it is all the way down, hold it in place for three seconds. Repeat the process with the other three windows, rear passenger, rear driver and finishing with the driver's window.

According to them, this "resets the position switches." Since doing so, my wife was able to pull off three on/off cycles with the window remaining functional, and I was able to do five. We'll see if it lasts through tomorrow. To me, though, it sounds more like a placating gesture, so I'm gonna test the *&)*&(^% out of it over the next several days.

 

2014 rear pasenger window. Same issue here. Hoping this reset position trick works.

 

update, reset did not work, replaced window motor entirely. problem solved.