Windows automatically go down

That is very bizarre! Wish I could help, but I have no idea. Good luck with that one.

 

To me this would have to be an issue with the window control switches or the wiring harness on the driver's armrest since it happens to multiple windows. If your car is still under warranty I would take it to the dealer. If not take it any good mechanic, unless of course you have the ability to remove the control switches and check it out yourself.

 

Cool Feature.

The windows can't open unless the car is on, to the best of my knowledge.

It might not be related to the window switches if the ECU is being energized some how then tells the windows to open.

Did you add a remote start or aftermarket alarm or any changes since it happened?

 

Try resetting the auto window up/down system. Instructions are in the owners manual, but it involves rolling them down half way then up and hold the switch till it beeps, I think.
Otherwise it's a fault in either a switch (one is wet?) or the electronics.

 

I would just like to chime in and say this has happened to me at least once! Fortunately, the car was in the garage. Did you ever get this fixed? I don't have remote start or any after market mods. Prius IV

 

Do you have a moonroof? Here's my theory:

1. The rain sensor for the wipers was tripped.
2. This triggered the closure of windows and the moonroof.
3. The passenger side window was adjusted too high.
4. Even though it was closed, the window moved far enough to trigger anti-pinch function and dropped halfway.

This theory is based on a similar problem I had in my Citroën C5 whenever it rained.

To reset the window position:

1. Press and release the down window button. (If Auto is working, the window will be at the bottom.)
2. Press and hold the down window button. You may hear a few clicks.
3. Press and release the up window button. The window should automatically go to the top.

This is fixed an anti-pinch problem I had in my Prius.

 

I was listening to Car Talk this saturday and they were trying to figure out what caused this same thing on a nissan vehicle that a person called in about. Guess it is not vehicle specific ....

 

If the gearbox for the window is faulty, the window could fall down. The OP's problem seems more like a bad control board.

 

I love your theory, Braddles, but I don't have a moonroof (nor rain sensors that I'm aware of). So far, it has only happened that once... any other theories?

 

This is the new experimental system to make the solar powered moonroof redundant by replacing it with wind powered ventilation.

Either that, or I don't have a clue.

 

Was the window all of the way down? Was it near a source of massive electrical interference like a sub-station or transformer (big electrical thing, not the robots in disguise). The interference might not affect the car when it is running, but when it is asleep the interference could induce activity in its circuitry and memory banks or whatever.

You have a rain sensor that informs your wipers. Whether those sensor inform other systems in the car is the question.
If it was only partially open, I suspect the anti-pinch function. The window may have closed too high and something triggered it to either close further or to play anti-pinch.

For example, in my Citroën:

1. when the car is running, if the rain sensor detects rain, the wipers operate (if they are switched to AUTO).
2. Then, if the wipers operate continually, the headlights turn on.
3. Then, if the wipers are operating continually and the temperature is low and the A/C is running on AUTO, the air direction will change to clear the windscreen.

If the car is not running, when the rain sensor detects rain the moonroof and windows close.
And for good measure, if I slam on the brakes very hard, the hazard lights come on. I miss driving Amelié.

(I should put this on a wish list somewhere.)

 

Practical joker with a FOB for your car?

 

Yup, this happened on my 2010 while parked at a bus station for a week while we were on vacation. The right front window somehow went halfway down on its own. Fortunately someone put tape and plastic over the window. I speculated one of two things happened: 1) a close lightning strike energized the window (yeah, right), or 2) someone bumped into the car and that caused the window to activate (yeah, right #2). Upon our return, the window would auto return down (i.e. it would not stop in the up position) then it fixed itself after a couple of days. Any ideas?

 

A bit of undigested beef (to quote Scrooge) caught somewhere convinced the safety switch that something was in the opening and it would trigger the autodown so as to not squish little Junior's head. Then it jiggled loose and everything was fine.

 

Since all four windows have a jam protection function, I'm thinking that one or more of the auto-reverse sensors are overly sensitive. Why or how this would happen on multiple windows in the same car is baffling. In any case, there must be a way for the dealer, using Techstream, to adjust this. Hope this helps...

 

Check for OBDII codes.
my2cents