Expert: Ben Menard - 5/31/2009

Question
I have a 2003 Toyota Camry. The rear driverside passenger window is in the up position and does not go down when using the front master control or the rear window control. I have never had any problem with the window before. All other windows operate fine. Any idea what the problem may be. Thank you.

Answer
Hi James,

Your problem is a little unusual.  Typically when a Toyota window motor starts to fail it goes down okay, but has trouble going back up.  It goes up part way and stops.  If you wait five or ten minutes and try again, if goes up a bit further.  Eventually you can get it all the way up.  If you have previously experienced this type of problem, then the motor could be ready for replacement.

If your window motor has been working normally up until now, I suspect a switch or wiring problem.  You will need a wiring diagram to determine which wires on the master window switch control the rear window, and which wires from the single switch on the rear door control the rear window.  Then you will need a test light or meter to check for power in and out of both switches.  If you don't have access to wiring information and the proper tools, any good mechanic should be able to handle it for you.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Ben ... The Power Window Guy