I've had an a$$ full of the automatic window roll down feature

[gleonard]

It's been raing for a few hours here in LA. I need to go somewhere so when I walk up to the car both windows are completely rolled down. It's been pouring and now I have a completely soaked interior. I towled out as much water as I could for now (in the dark). There were puddles behind and underneath both seats.

My keys weren't even in my pant pockets, so I'm not sure how the windows rolled down. I'm not sure what could have pressed the button on the FOB. It's been raining of and on all day, so I didn't leave them unrolled earlier in the day either.

This happened once before when I was out of town, but luckily my girlfriend spotted it just before it began raining about 3 months ago. Is there some sort of "it's gonna rain so let me roll the windows down automatically to piss you off feature" I don't know about?

I have two questions...

1) can this feature be disabled on the FOB?

2) is my interior pretty much ruined? other than sopping up as much water as I can how do I dry up the foamy door panels? Will the water damage any of the other materials used in the interior (i.e. leather seats and suede/fabric inlays)?

[Trips]

Originally Posted by gleonard

It's been raing for a few hours here in LA. I need to go somewhere so when I walk up to the car both windows are completely rolled down. It's been pouring and now I have a completely soaked interior. I towled out as much water as I could for now (in the dark). There were puddles behind and underneath both seats.

My keys weren't even in my pant pockets, so I'm not sure how the windows rolled down. I'm not sure what could have pressed the button on the FOB. It's been raining all day, so I didn't leave them unrolled earlier in the day either.

This happened once before when I was out of town, but luckily my girlfriend spotted it just before it began raining about 3 months ago. Is there some sort of "it's gonna rain so let me roll the windows down automatically to piss you off feature" I don't know about?

I have two questions...

1) can this feature be disabled on the FOB?

2) is my interior pretty much ruined? other than sopping up as much water as I can how do I dry up the foamy door panels? Will the water damage any of the other materials used in the interior (i.e. leather seats and suede/fabric inlays)?

Sorry to hear that! I don't think theres a disable programming to the fob to disable this feature, if you can, use a blow dryer to dry it out .. may take some time though good luck

[cdawg410]

Aww man..... That sucks. I don't have any ideas regarding what might be causing your issue but I have dealt with water issues before. Dry the best you can, maybe a wet vac if you can get ur hands on one. The worst thing you can do is let water sit in there and get mildewy. The smell is unmistakable and you'll never get rid of it. I know it will be a pain but if you can get the carpet up and actually get a towel to the metal you'll be better off, you never actually know where that water will settle under the carpet. I think your faux suede should be alright and cows get rained on all the time so your leather should be alright also. Think your seats might actually be in better shape than had you had the cloth interior as drying the padding in the seat could be a serious issue.

Good luck, and definitely figure out a way to blame the girlfriend, it'll make you feel better.

[Slynky]

I think, though not sure, that someone posted about looking to defeat the window option and there was no way. Not sure if someone has figured it out, though.

[cruzmisl]

Get a dehumidifier ASAP.

Put it on the passengers seat, close the windows.

Dump out the water every hour or two. This WILL save your interior. My mom left the sunroof open all day once and it completely soaked the interior of her SUV. Couldn't even tell after the dehumidifier was done.

My friend tried to get through a submerged road thinking it wasn't that deep. It was deep enough to kill his motor and flood his interior. The dehumidifier saved the interior even days after this happened.

I wouldn't use a blow dryer. You're not going to get deep enough with that and you will end up with mildew smells.

A lot of people don't know about these, but they're staples in humid climates. Might be a little more difficult to track one down in LA but it will be worth it.

[Trips]

Originally Posted by cruzmisl

Get a dehumidifier ASAP.

Put it on the passengers seat, close the windows.

Dump out the water every hour or two. This WILL save your interior. My mom left the sunroof open all day once and it completely soaked the interior of her SUV. Couldn't even tell after the dehumidifier was done.

My friend tried to get through a submerged road thinking it wasn't that deep. It was deep enough to kill his motor and flood his interior. The dehumidifier saved the interior even days after this happened.

I wouldn't use a blow dryer. You're not going to get deep enough with that and you will end up with mildew smells.

A lot of people don't know about these, but they're staples in humid climates. Might be a little more difficult to track one down in LA but it will be worth it.

great idea! reped you for the help

[g96818]

u tried just pulling the fuse for the windows? that's if you don't mind inoperable windows.
what about a toggle switch inline with the power line for the window module? flip it off when u're not in the car and flip it on when u want the windows to work.

[rcm2525]

I think the only way you can prevent this is to pull the key from the fob and carry the key only. The down side is you lose all the remote features.

[M1K3]

i actually had this happen to me the other day...just mine was in my garage...i came out to and both windows were completely rolled down...really didnt know i could roll them all the way down with fob. Only thought partially...sux bout the interior though, would look into the dehumidifier idea for sure, sounds good. GL

[Cyberium]

Originally Posted by cdawg410

i think your faux suede should be alright and cows get rained on all the time so your leather should be alright also.

lol.

[Cyberium]

The automatic window roll down feature is one of the worst ideas ever. How did this not get scrapped in the design process. Not only could your interior be ruined from rain when the windows are rolled down accidently but it's also an open invitation for someone to walk by your car and steal whatever the hell they want when you think your stuff is secure.

[spearfish25]

Audi implemented the feature using the key only...probably to keep this from ever being an issue. The FOB button must be getting stuck in the depressed position as you walk away from the car.

If you can replicate the issue in a way that demonstrates the car does it with no input from the FOB, take this to the dealer and make them replace your interior and window control unit.

[KEVTEX]

The water will puddle on the floor behind the seats. Get your hands on a carpet cleaner that has a strong suction to pull as much moisture as possible from the carpet and other areas. Then do the dehumidifier followed by windows down out in the sun. Towels and a blow dryer aren't going to get the job done.
Let us know if you find a prevention method.

[OldGuy]

Originally Posted by cruzmisl

Get a dehumidifier ASAP.

Put it on the passengers seat, close the windows.

Dump out the water every hour or two. This WILL save your interior. My mom left the sunroof open all day once and it completely soaked the interior of her SUV. Couldn't even tell after the dehumidifier was done.

My friend tried to get through a submerged road thinking it wasn't that deep. It was deep enough to kill his motor and flood his interior. The dehumidifier saved the interior even days after this happened.

I wouldn't use a blow dryer. You're not going to get deep enough with that and you will end up with mildew smells.

A lot of people don't know about these, but they're staples in humid climates. Might be a little more difficult to track one down in LA but it will be worth it.

Gote one for out basement right out here at the Lowe's store. They are very effective.

[djward]

Perhaps you can rent one of those carpet cleaners from Ralph's. Just don't use the cleaner. This happened to me once as well in a different car. Took out all the seats. Sucked up all the water then left the windows open and let the car sit out in the sun for a while. Should be about the same as getting your home's carpet cleaned. It will be a little damp after sucking up all the water. Not sure if it's supposed to rain today though. Looks like it out of my window though. On the bright side you will have a really clean carpet. Let us know how you proceed.