How to Keep A Car Window from Sliding Down?

You came here after you googled “how to keep a car window from sliding down?”

This means you can’t visit your nearby auto repair store for one reason or another and you need an emergency fix right now!

We’re here to help. No matter what car you drive, we’ve got your back with pro tips!

3 Different Types of Modern Cars Switches

1. Push switch

A push switch is a two-position device where you have to press and release a button to activate it. Most of them come with an internal spring mechanism that pushes the button to its “unpressed” or “out” position for temporary operation.

2. Rocker switch

A rocker switch works like a toggle switch but requires less pressure from your hand to operate. It is significantly wider and flatter than the traditional toggle type.

The switch may break off easily that in turn means frequent replacements. But trendy car owners always prefer them.

3. Toggle switch

A toggle switch makes a slightly louder “click” compared to a rocker switch while the spring gives it a snappy feel. You need to make a Shepherd’s hook or J hook to install this switch.

Why Your Car Windows Won’t Stay Up?

• Manual Windows

Manual car windows raise and lower the glass using a mechanical regulator that stays inside the door. They come with a hand crank to operate the regulator.

The different parts of the regulators may wear off and the regulators may be unable to move further if the lubricant is insufficient or dries out.

This can cause regulator deformation when you apply force for raising or lowering the windows so the regulator will fail to keep the window up.

• Power Windows

Power windows generally use a reversible electric motor that connects to a regulator to raise or lower the window glass.

Switch, wiring or motor – anything can go bad in a power window. The regulator can also fail temporarily or get stuck.

How to Fix a Manual Car Window?

1. Replace the Plastic Gears

Plastic crank gears usually don’t last compared to those made of steel. Repeated use makes them easily wear down so you have to replace them frequently.

You can use steel gears instead. But you need to go to your nearest car repair shop to get this mechanical job done.

2. Align the Regulator from Its Lower Track

Windows fail to operate when the regulator misaligns from its lower track. This hampers the functioning of the pivot point and limits the regulator’s movement in the arm. As a result, the window gets stuck in one position.

Do the following to fix this issue:

• Study the diagram of your car door. Read the owner’s manual or get a copy from online
• Unscrew and detach window cranks, cup holders and other attachments of the door
• Check the gear teeth
• Remove the door panel to examine the roller
• Align the window and the rollers in the track

3. Check The Regulator Track

Remove the door panel to check the regulator track if you find no problem with the teeth.

The regulator is probably stuck if the crank handle resists turning. The small wheels on the track cause this problem when they catch onto something.

You need to remove the door panel to work on this problem. Put the handle back and rotate it to see if the regulator experiences any hang-up on the track.

If you find any obstructions, remove them. You can take the car to your nearest repair shop if the problem seems too complex to get solved by yourself.

How to Fix a Power Car Window?

1. Press the Faulty Up/Down Button

You need to press the up/down button to find any whirring sound. If you can’t hear the sound then the motor should be the root of the problem.

Changing the switch is the easier task so check it first.

2. Check the Driver’s Lock-out Switch

It is possible that you have unnoticeably pressed the driver’s lock-out switch. This causes the rear windows to close automatically with no response to the door switches.

3. Check the Computer Module or a Fuse

Modern cars come with a computer module connected to the motor. It counts the gear revolution of the regulator to track the window’s position.

If the module disconnects or loses power, it can’t determine the window’s position anymore.

Check for the fuse or electrical wiring to solve this issue, or take help from a car dealer to fix it.

4. Dirty Window Guide

Fully-framed windows have dirty window guides on the right and left sides. They get dirty and often cause the windows to hesitate going up or down.

Spray some silicone-based lube on them to clean. Raise and lower the window a few times afterward to make sure that the problem is solved.

5. Take Your Car to a Repair Shop

Some fixes are beyond your DIY skill and knowledge and it’s always best to take your car to the repair shop and solve them with the help of the experts.

Temporary Fixes For Car Window That Won’t Stay Up

1. Use a Wedge

Find something that you can use like a wedge to hold up the window. Place it between the glass and the door’s window seal from inside. This should prevent the window from falling.

2. Keep the Window Up with a Vice Grip

The toolset of your car may have a vice grip that you can use to keep the faulty window up. Place it inside the car between the door frame and the window to hold up.

3. Tape the Window Edges with Duct Tape

Taping the window edges to the corresponding window frame is a great way to temporarily hold it in place.

Another way is to tape the entire edge of the frame when the window is rolled up. You can try adhesive tape for better support.

4. Hold The Window With Suction Cups

Grab some suction cups that have handles or metal hooks, and stick them to the lowest part of the car window.

Suction cups with handles help keep the window from falling.

5. Square Dowels

You can place square dowels between the door and the bottom of the window from inside. Once the dowels are set, apply silicone gel to the top and bottom edges of the window so as to keep it in the place.

6. Slam the Car Door

• Turn the ignition key to the accessory position. This will turn on the radio and allow the windows to go up. The faulty one will stay down
• Press the defective window’s button up and hold it that way. Make sure you have pressed the switch only for the up or close position and not the other way
• Open and slam the car door when you do the second step and check if the window can roll upward or downward. If it doesn’t, do the same thing a few times. You need to keep pressed the close button to allow the window work fine

7. Simple Paperclip Solution

The window acts strangely when the switch gets broken. A quick paper clip trick can solve this issue.

But you need to make sure you have a clear understanding of its mechanism before going a step because some risks are involved. You may burn down the fuse or controller if you accidentally connect the power to the ground pin.

The switch communicates with a motor through two metal pin connectors, and uses two more pins to communicate with a battery.

You can unplug the switch connectors and directly connect the battery to the motor with a paperclip.

You can control the switch with the one-to-one or cross-order technique using a paperclip. Turn on the ignition key and detach the top of the switchboard to do this.

This allows you to gain access to the back of the switch and control movement of the window. Disconnect the connector and place the paperclip in different places until the motor powers up.

8. Silicone Door Stopper

A silicone stopper works excellent as both a long term and short term solution. You can position it inside the glass surface between the door and the opening of the window.

You need to do it when the window is rolled up.

The trick works fine in most cases but make sure you have a firm stopper.

9. 3m Command Hooks

This is a great alternative to tape and works reliably through a long time.

The method is similar to many others we have mentioned above- just pull the window up and stick it to the bottom of the window from inside.

10. Open The Door Panel for Long-Term Fixes

Remove the screws and the plastic wrapper to open the door panel. Push up the window with a stick.

Lock the window with a hose clamp between the metal tracks. This helps avoid any appearing damage to the car.

FAQ

1. What tape is safe for car paint?

Ans. Some auto care tapes feature a specially made adhesive that bonds to different surfaces in an instant. They are perfect for use with solvent or water based automobile paint. The adhesive resists chemicals, water, lifting or edge curl.

2. What kind of tape do you use on car windows?

Ans. Masking tape is safe to cover the paint on your vehicle. You can use paper towels or shop towels to clean the area.

3. What Can Cause Electric Windows to Fail?

Ans. Your window mechanism can freeze if cold weather is no stranger to it. The electric motor can go bad after a long time of use. Sometimes the window wiring gets out of the place that causes it to get pinched by the door.

4. Is a window motor and regulator the same thing?

Ans. A window motor is an electric motor with a gear on the end that stays stationary inside the door. A regulator is attached to the window to move it down or up when driven by the motor. You can buy them assembled together for easy replacement.

5. Do I need to replace the window motor or regulator?

Ans. Each door of your car has either a cable type or gear-driven type regulator fit inside. They don’t require any maintenance or adjustment for regular use. But you need to replace the failed part or the whole unit if it doesn’t function.