So I have wanted to be able to open the rear glass without always having to use my key. There is a thread in the Blue Room here that talks about it but this person disabled the locking functionality of the key cylinder. I didn't want to do that and think it is probably unnecessary anyway.
Then I saw that the guy from Virginia that came to the show had a button on his MPAC that fed into the rear door. I didn't get a chance to ask him about it but I assume this is what it was for. Seeing this reminded me of this feature and pushed me to research it and get it done. Since I am an electrician/electronics tech and I look at wiring diagrams for helicopters on almost a regular basis I figure how hard can this be?
Here is the answer.
I started with the obvious, removing the rear door cover and pulling the plastic back on the left side.
After this you need to locate the connector that feeds the rear door key cylinder. Item A
The male end that is disconnected has three wires that are Red, Blue and Purple. According to the wiring diagram here:
Purple is the common wire, red is unlock and blue is lock. The rear window is released by turning the key and holding it in the lock position (right) for approximately 5 seconds. Doing this connects the purple and blue wires momentarily which locks the door then releases the rear window. What you need to do is splice in a push button or a momentary switch between these two wires (purple and blue). I used a push button switch from work.
NOTE: I am a little pickier than some may be on installs because I am used to such high standards at work. The route I chose to splice and make the connections is a little more difficult than it needs to be.
The male connector has a little cap that has to be removed before pulling the pins out.
After pulling the pins I stripped a middle section of wire where I would place the splice. I then placed a piece of heat shrink over so the splice could be covered.
This is with the splices crimped on and the environmental heat shrink covering one end.
Next I had to drill my hole for the switch. Mine is in the far left front top corner of the door cover. I used a friction switch so the hole had to be a tight fit.
After this I used two short sections of wire at the splices with standard blade and socket connections. I fed them through the plastic so it could be re-attached to the door and the blades would stick through.
I put the same blade and socket connections on the switch and made the connections.
Then I reinstalled the read door panel.
Ops check good.
For a short answer, yes, it is easy.
Note: When using the key in the rear door to lock or unlock the door, it only operates the rear door. I didn't know that.
Last edited by totald on Wed Apr 25, 2012 8:40 pm; edited 1 time in total
bigdogdewey2 ADMINISTRATOR
Posts : 3697 Points : 8463 Join date : 2011-08-30 Age : 55 Location : High Point, NC
Thanks, that's a much better way to do that than the blueroom. I also saw a thread on the blue room where someone installed an actuator so they can raise the rear window from the front. I'm hoping to do that at some point and this is a good start to it.
sweet...nice write up...so now you have to open the door to open the window correct?
No, this way yo can still do it with the key.
My scenario is that I am either outside at home while my keys are inside, or the car is running when I decide to open it so I have to get the keys or shut the FJ off to get the keys.
Hope you don't mind... I posted a link to this on the FB page. You did a great job. I can unlock the back door without shutting of the truck... I can't open the window though. I appreciate you posting this.
bluejack13 Trail Scout
Posts : 108 Points : 4771 Join date : 2011-08-03 Location : Winston Salem
Mike, I believe he's saying there's two options. Open it with the key from outside (door closed) just like before, OR you can open the door and hit the little button.
I just WISH the rear window would pop open on it's own. If it would, I would do this and run the button up front. You know, so I could just open the rear window going down the road. I love having the windows down in a car, but without anything other than the two front windows you get beat to death by the wind in the FJ. I've read the actuator thread on the blue room, but that seems a bit complicated and not perfected (a bit hacky looking). ARGH!
This is a nice and clean looking. Excellent job!
totald SUPPORTING MEMBER
Posts : 1293 Points : 6086 Join date : 2011-05-09 Age : 47 Location : Moyock, NC
yes answered...absolutely...thank you so much...i appreciate it..yeah i like the windows open too even winter time...but the wind is too much sometimes...
bigdogdewey2 ADMINISTRATOR
Posts : 3697 Points : 8463 Join date : 2011-08-30 Age : 55 Location : High Point, NC
Mike, I believe he's saying there's two options. Open it with the key from outside (door closed) just like before, OR you can open the door and hit the little button.
I just WISH the rear window would pop open on it's own. If it would, I would do this and run the button up front. You know, so I could just open the rear window going down the road. I love having the windows down in a car, but without anything other than the two front windows you get beat to death by the wind in the FJ. I've read the actuator thread on the blue room, but that seems a bit complicated and not perfected (a bit hacky looking). ARGH!
This is a nice and clean looking. Excellent job!
i agree about the linear actuator thread in the blue room...it is hacky looking...way too big for what it is... definitely needs perfecting...
totald SUPPORTING MEMBER
Posts : 1293 Points : 6086 Join date : 2011-05-09 Age : 47 Location : Moyock, NC
For anyone that knows anything about it, I am an E-7 in the Coast Guard so I am a Chief. When you are advanced to E-7/Chief you go through an indoctrination, part of which is building a hat box.
This was my Chief Hat box with a remote actuator.
bigdogdewey2 ADMINISTRATOR
Posts : 3697 Points : 8463 Join date : 2011-08-30 Age : 55 Location : High Point, NC
Now I can't find the original so I guess some can see it and some can't.
Guest Guest
Subject: Re: Rear Glass Release Button - Pic Heavy Thu Apr 26, 2012 12:44 am
Looks like you answered the PM?
NC FJ Driver Gunner
Posts : 1551 Points : 6278 Join date : 2011-05-09 Age : 61 Location : Raeford, NC
Subject: Re: Rear Glass Release Button - Pic Heavy Thu Apr 26, 2012 6:53 am
Really nice job! thanks for sharing...but no Hat Box for me!
dsbike Trail Scout
Posts : 233 Points : 4827 Join date : 2011-10-21 Age : 65 Location : Concord, NC
Subject: Re: Rear Glass Release Button - Pic Heavy Thu Apr 26, 2012 9:52 am
Nice job & write-up. I did this same mod 3 years ago. I used a door lock switch from a junk yard. Mine locks & unlocks the door also from the inside. I think the only time you may need that function is if you are sleeping in the back. I never used it in the last 3 years. But I use the window switch all the time. When filling out the window sheets for the show Saturday, my wife reminded me that I even did that install. It has been so long I couldn't even remember how it used to be.
idlike to be able to unlock the window from the front...the install would be the same as what you have done here right ? except that the wires would go to the front??
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Subject: Re: Rear Glass Release Button - Pic Heavy
Wed Apr 25, 2012 8:07 pm
