Owning a car provides you with freedom and a convenient form of travel. However, cars are prone to several issues that can be pretty annoying if you don’t know how to solve them. One such issue is car windows falling down and not remaining closed when driving — but what causes a car window not to stay up?
Your car window won’t stay up when the car’s window regulators fall or move out of position. The window regulators hold the window in place, but with age, they’re prone to wear and tear, resulting in the regulators falling into the door. When the regulators fall, the car windows will also fall.
This article explores more about why car windows don’t close properly. I’ll also discuss common fixes for car windows and what you can expect to pay to repair your window professionally. Also, I’ll delve into other common issues people have with their car windows, so keep reading.
What Causes Car Windows To Stay Open?
Typically when a car window doesn’t stay up, it’s due to an issue with the window regulator. However, sometimes car windows may malfunction due to mechanical or electrical issues. So what are the most common causes for car windows failing to remain open?
Here are the common causes for car windows to stay open:
- Child lock is activated
- Damaged window regulators
- Blown fuse
- Key not in the ignition
- Damaged window motor/switch
See below for more information about each of the causes listed above.
Child Lock Is Activated
Child locks are a feature in most modern cars. The child lock prevents passenger windows from opening and closing as the driver controls all windows.
If the child lock is on and the window is open, you won’t be able to close the window without disabling the child lock or controlling the windows from the driver’s seat.
Damaged Window Regulators
Damaged window regulators will cause the windows to sink into the door frame below. When this occurs, the window must be wedged shut, or window regulators will need replacing. Typically, a new window regulator will cost around a few hundred dollars. Note that the price you can expect to pay will depend on the car’s make and model.
Blown Fuse
The electrical systems in your car will have fuses included as a safety feature. Fuses blow when too much current passes through an electrical circuit. High current is dangerous to people and can cause harm to electrical complements.
Fuses blow when too much current passes through, preventing electricity from flowing through. When the electricity stops, electric windows will stop opening and closing.
Keys Not in Ignition
The car engine doesn’t need to be running to allow the electrical windows to open and close. However, the keys will likely need to be in the ignition and turned slightly to engage the electrical systems in the car. If your window isn’t closing, you may want to try again with the keys in the ignition.
Damaged Window Motor/Switch
Electric windows are controlled by a switch that enables people to open and close the windows. The switch is connected to a motor that pushes the window up and pulls the window down. If either of these electrical components is damaged, the window may be stuck in position.
How To Keep Your Car Window From Sliding Down
Now that you know the most common causes of your car windows not staying up, it’s time to look at how you can fix this issue without paying a fortune at a garage. So how can you keep your car window from sliding down without professional assistance?
You can keep your car window from sliding down without bringing your car to a garage by attaching an item to the window that’ll wedge it shut. Items with a suction cup or adhesive side can be added to the bottom of the window when it’s closed, holding it in position.
To hold the window in place without causing any damage, you should use an item with a strong suction cup. Attach the suction cup at the bottom of the window where it meets the door. This suction cup will prevent the window from sliding down into the door as it holds it in place.
You can also use tape to hold your car windows in place. To do this, you must push the window up into place and apply a generous amount of taking to ensure it can hold the weight of the window. It’s also best to use robust, weather-resistant tape for the best results.
While you can wedge your car window shut with relative ease, this doesn’t resolve the issue as you won’t be capable of opening and closing the window. If you wish to find a solution that allows you to use your car windows again, you’ll need expert help.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix a Car Window That Won’t Stay Up?
Whenever your car needs repair, it can lead to expensive bills from your mechanic. Depending on the make and model of your car and the repair work needed, the costs can quickly climb into the thousands. But how much should you expect to pay to repair a car window that won’t stay up?
It costs between $20 and $400+ to repair a car window that won’t stay up. The cost of the repair depends on the cause of the issue. If the mechanic needs to remove the door to repair damages to the window motor, repairs will be more expensive, whereas a damaged fuse may be replaced for $20.
The costs of repairing your car window that won’t stay up will vary significantly depending on where you live, the route of the issue, and the make and model of your car. If you own a luxurious or expensive car, the windows will likely cost more repair.
At the same time, repair work that doesn’t require replacing major components or removing door panels will be completed in less time. This saves you a fortune on labor expenses as the longer the repair takes, the more you’ll have to pay.
Why Won’t Your Car Window Go Down?
Now that you know what to do if you can’t get your car windows to stay up, it’s time to have a quick look at other common issues in car windows. Car windows can also get stuck in a closed position. What should you do if your car window is stuck in a closed position and you can’t open it?
Your car window won’t go down likely because there’s a fuse that’s blown, and the switch and motos are damaged, resulting in your car window getting wedged shut. Mechanical components included in the window may also be damaged, causing the windows to remain shut.
Blown fuses are a common issue in car windows. The fuse in the car may blow due to age or when windows are clogged up with dirt and become stiff. Blown fuses are simple to replace; however, locating the correct fuse can be problematic. Check your owner’s manual to see which fuse is used for the window system. If you can figure out which fuse belongs to the windows, consult expert help.
If you press the switch to open your car window and there’s no sound from the motor or no movement in the window, the issue is likely a damaged fuse. Suppose the window does move slightly, and you can hear the window motor activate; that means the issue isn’t a damaged fuse.
Final Thoughts
Car windows can be prone to falling down and not staying in place when the window is closed. They fall due to several issues, but the primary cause is damaged window regulators. Window regulators hold car windows in place, but as they age, they may fall out of place, resulting in the window falling.
Damaged fuses or electrical components used to operate the windows are common problems. Repairing damages in a car window can vary significantly in price from a few dollars up to hundreds of dollars.
