Same problem with my 2010 Mini Cooper clubman. My car battery died because it was old and very cold outside. After I got it started and new battery, the windows and signals will not work

260

Asked by Jackimn Jan 07, 2017 at 08:18 AM about the 2010 MINI Cooper S

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My Mini Cooper clubman 2010 would not start on a very cold below zero
morning here in Minnesota. I realized that I had never replaced it and it was 7
years old. I had it jumped and all seemed fine except a warning light was on
and I found out the signals and Windows and interior lights do not work after
driving it. I had the battery replaced with a high end battery at a shop near by
that works on minis. The car runs great and Luckily everything else is working
except the interior lights, Windows and turn signals. Seems like the arm that
controls the lights is not working at all, but luckily my lights are working. Also
along the dash where my heated seats and window controls are, the heated
seats and lock door control are working but not my Windows. The shop
checked all of my fuses and registered my battery and nothing helped. I know
it is not moisture because we are in a cold snap and the warning light ( red
car on a hoist) did not come on till after my battery died. My car and all parts
were working great till the battery failure. If anyone has any suggestions to
help I would be go grateful for some answers. Thank you! Jacki

32 Answers

158,955

So the Mini specialists you took the car to can't figure it out and you came here to get the advise from a bunch of knuckleheads that you know nothing about? Taking it to a competent mechanic would be my suggestion.

2 people found this helpful.
45,155

Jumping your car is a mistake- was the other car's engine running when you started your mini? I thought so- engaging in this old, tired, 20th Century automotive ritual is a good way to fry your fancy electric toy- the donor car, when running is putting out current and when your car starts, it also puts out current- the two currents collide- BOOM- get into the future here- using jumper cables is as wrong as siphoning gasoline with your mouth-

5 people found this helpful.
260

Seems like other people had problems like this just removing a battery terminal for a few minutes. Just thought if this happened to anyone else before like I have found in other blogs, what could be the problem before I take it in and I get a $600 bill from mini to look at it.

6 people found this helpful.
158,955

Totally understand and wish you the best of luck with it. Perhaps do some "Google" searching for similar problems would be helpful.

1 people found this helpful.
260

Hi Nadrah, Sorry you have the same problem. I did find the problem. I found a blog on the internet that also had the same problem after their Mini lost power. He said it was the Foot Well Module located on the drivers side just beyond the area where you pull the latch fir the hood. It was certain fuses in that box. In my case it was the whole module. It was not cheap to fix. The part was around $750-$800 to replace and then the car had to totally be reprogrammed by the computer. I luckily found an auto care place here in MN called Honest 1 and they did a wonderful job and everything is working perfectly I have my windows, signals etc. back. That module controls all of that. So try that. Foot Well Module or FRM Good Luck! Jacki

8 people found this helpful.
260

It was over $1000 with parts and tax etc. but so happy my 2010 Mini Clubman works again!

1 people found this helpful.
260

Sorry you had the same problem too. I hope this works for you too. It did for me. The Foot Well Module controls the windows and the signals, lights etc. Wishing you Good Luck! Jacki

2 people found this helpful.
260

Sorry you had the same problem too. I hope this works for you too. It did for me. The Foot Well Module controls the windows and the signals, lights etc. Wishing you Good Luck! Jacki

40

I'm having the same problem now .. what are they thinking ..this is crap !

4 people found this helpful.
80

As others have mentioned, it's the Footwell Module located behind the plastic panel near where your hood lever is located. (I think the technical name for the part is FRM3R PL3. At least, that's what is written on mine. Here is a link to a video that explains the problem and how to fix it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOl2lFLk8fI There are people on eBay who advertise a service where you remove the module from your car, mail it to them and they reprogram it and send it back to you. I haven't tried any of them, but the cost is somewhere in the $150 range, based on what I've seen so far.

5 people found this helpful.
260

It was the problem and replacing that part took care of the big problem. So check that if you run into the same problem. I found the info over a year ago on a Mini blog.

3 people found this helpful.
10

I had same problem, Mini has put out a letter saying this is now covered up to 100k miles I believe. They had a location on the document they sent me which provides cost reimbursement. I would try calling the Mini dealership to get confirmation, where I had it replaced, no charge (part and labor) they knew about issues.

1 people found this helpful.
80

Following up on my previous reply. I found someone on eBay who "reprogrammed" my footwell module for $89, plus shipping. All I had to do was extract it from my car, put it in a padded box and ship it. Two days later it was returned and I just plugged it in and everything worked again (turn signals, rear power windows, front headlights). While I would highly recommend the service I used, I won't do it here because I don't want people to think I'm selling for them. It doesn't take long to do your own research and even speak with those who advertise this service to make sure you're comfortable with sending an expensive part off to who knows where... Notes.... Extracting the module was difficult for 3 reasons. 1) interior panels are a pain in the butt to get back on just the way they came out of the factory, once you've removed them. 2) It's hard to see the two screws that need to be removed. 3) it's impossible to know that the three cables are held in place by clasps that have to be moved out of the way before the cables can be unplugged. I got lucky and figured it out.

3 people found this helpful.
20

All newer Cars (made after year 2000) this is a industry problem We as consumers we need to demand better batteries lead-acid batteries are not as good as other types that cost more also the manufactures should have 2 batteries so when 1 dies the other can still work.

2 people found this helpful.
50

I am having the same exact problem now. Funny enough, I had my battery replaced a month ago. I am sitting here at my mechanics telling them that this may be the issue and they weren't too happy. I think they called me a "youTuber" and mocked me. Needless to say, I am pissed off and I hope I don't have to pay a grand. I am hoping it's just a fuse...

1 people found this helpful.
260

Hi, It is your Footwell Module and I got a letter from Mini saying they had problems with the footwell module and if I had replaced it in the last couple years I could get reimbursed. After jumping thru a couple hoops I just received a check yesterday in the mail from Mini Cooper for the full $1300 it cost me in January 2017. That was great! I think you can take it or call a Mini dealer and see if it s covered. It was quite a big ordeal and the footwell module is on the drivers side up by your feet on the left side. (Another panel of fuses. ) It was expensive and after it was replaced the whole thing had to be re computerized which was a couple hundred dollars to do that. Luckily I had a great mechanic garage that had worked on Minis before. Wishing you good luck with it. Jacki

3 people found this helpful.
10

The same issue happened to my car yesterday. I took it into the dealer today and they said it was the Foot Well Module (FRM) causing the issues. It is being fixed as we speak and I was ecstatic when the Service Department told me Mini was aware of the problems related to the FRM and extended their warranty- thus my repairs are covered-at no cost to me.

1 people found this helpful.
90

The FRM is now covered under an extended warranty from mini/bmw for 10years/156,000 miles. if the FRM has been replaced, BMW/Mini will reimburse the cost of this. If you are beyond this limit, if the FRM was replaced within the timeframe indicated, you may still have recourse for reimbursement.

7 people found this helpful.
Best Answer Mark helpful
260

I did get a reimbursement check after jumping thru a few hoops. They had sent me a letter saying I did not qualify for it. But I called Mini right away and they said I had not sent my additional papers in time and they had closed my case. I told them I had mailed them immediately, like 3 weeks prior, and they reopened my case and got a check in the mail for the full amount about a week later. Jacki

2 people found this helpful.
50

Yesss!! I called BMW in Miami Florida and immediately they responded that the warranty had expired on 10/01 (I called 10/31). The guy was an ass... then I called BMW corporate (luckily) and they told me the dealership gave me the wrong information and that the warranty was extended to Dec 2019 or 156,000 miles. I took my mini right in and everything was covered. I am really glad I found this site! You all helped me investigate, thanks :)

4 people found this helpful.
10

Will Mini reimburse for the FRM if any of the failure is due to water damage from basic rain? By normal wear? Mine seems to be failing after a big rainstorm today. I’m noticing posts that water leaks (poor drainage engineering design by Mini) can also lead to water in tge FRM. Re: My 2012 Mini Base Coupe

1 people found this helpful.
260

They sent me a letter last Fall that the Footwell Module was faulty and. I could bring it down to Mini to be replaced or if. I replaced it and had paperwork that showed that and the cost they would reimburse me. They did Reimburse me after a bit of a hassle and it took a good 6 weeks. I would call Mini and tell them this yours has gone out too. I think your 2012 should qualify. They said it was a faulty Mini part. Good luck. Jacki

1 people found this helpful.

Erin - Did you find out the answer to this? (mini reimburse for FRM if failure is due to water damage?) mine just failed, and they said that it was due to the drain tubes for the sunroof being blocked, so water backed up and somehow got to the FRM. the mini dealership is quoting $2200 for replacing the module, and another $830 to replace the drain tubes. I about had a heart attack. they told me to claim for the FRM through my insurance.

And to Jacki - I am in Minnesota as well... you mentioned you had Honest 1 do the repair. Which one, if I may ask?

10

I had the same problem after disconnecting my battery to do a repair. There is a place in San Diego who will wake the module up for $180 and you plug it back in and it’s good to go. You just ship it to them and they turn it around in a day. This is the place. https://www.speedofix.com/

1 people found this helpful.
10

Thanks for everyone who shared; I was able to follow this thread and take 2012 MINI Cooper S to the dealership in Plano, TX and get the FRM module replaced under warrranty. While they were looking at my car, they found the fuel pump also was not functioning well and replaced it under warranty. Ecstatic!

1 people found this helpful.
10

@Mike can you please share a link to the people who reprogrammed your footwell module?

1 people found this helpful.
10

@TheJEN...I am at a Mini service center as I write this. The extended service bulletin covers this issue for 10 yrs/150,000. Mine is a 2010 Clubman that had been jumped and the failure ensued. Mini service center acknowledged the problem upon diagnosing it first and they are instAlling a new one now

1 people found this helpful.

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