Possible power window issue... hasn't this been fixed?

[Humourl3ss]

The phantom "windows rolling down" effect seems to be pretty well catalogued on this site. However, most of the complaints seemed to taper off a few months back as the BC1 units were swapped/modified.

Is anyone with a newer build MCS experiencing this problem? Here's what happened to me tonight:

Went for a wash around 8:00PM (high pressure touchless). Got home around 8:30. Got out of car. Locked car via remote. While standing crouching beside the car to inspect the quality of the wash, the windows spontaneously descended.

Now right away, I'm thinking that perhaps I have the smoking gun: water in the electrics. But on further reflection, I did have the key in my pocket and I might have accidentally triggered it against some loose coins/other keys whilst crouching down. I've been back down twice to check on the car in the past hour; no recurrance of the windows opening on their own.

Am I too paranoid for my own good? Or is the "Christine Effect" still a very real likelihood. Bear in mind I only took delivery a week ago of my MCS; it's hardly an early-build example.

Comments?

-CW

[Paul]

It's unlikely, but I would keep a close eye on it, or if you're near take it to the dealership and ask if they can tell you if you have the 'fixed' BC1 unit.

In fact, why doesn't someone who's had the recall/fix post a picture and you can compare.... now you've just go tto find someone to volunteer to do that for you!

[Humourl3ss]

Looking for volunteers then!

Needless to say, I get a little paranoid about these things, since I don't exactly work in the greatest of neighbourhoods. Someone actually broke in and stole a towel and a sweater from a coworker's Civic. Not the stereo. Not camera equipment. A towel (used to wipe off condensation in the morning) and a sweater.

Like I said, not the best of neighbourhoods.

-CW

[Hapo]

...mmm...???...I found the window on my MINI open about 1/2"...I had though that I had just forgotten to fully close it...???...

[Humourl3ss]

Hmm. but in my case it was both windows. Fully down.

It's rather disconcerting, but at least it didn't happen again overnight or while at work today. I'm crossing my fingers.

-CW

[StevePSB]

My month old Cooper did much the same thing last week.

I drove to work, it was cold and raining so I didn't touch the windows at all. Locked the car with the remote.
About an hour later someone from the other side of our building told me my alarm was going off.
Thought the worst (vandals, break in etc...) but got to the car to see both windows fully down and a totally sodden interior.
I'd left the car a good hour or more previous and it continued to rain throughout. Needless to say it took a long time to dry.
Fortunately there was no interior electrical damage caused.


StevePSB

[Humourl3ss]

Quote:

Did you look to see if there was water in the electronics?

Honestly, I wouldn't know where to start. I'm not the most technically inclined of owners. I can spout theory 'til the bovines come home, but don't ask me to actually fix anything. Any pointers on what to look for?

-CW

[mr.bill]

The MINI uses a complex electrical system that is controlled by a computer. When you shut everything off, the BC1 goes into "standby mode" and waits for input from a sensor to "wake it up." Some early builds had a poorly designed seal where the wiring enters the computer unit and water could get in and create the infamous "Christine" effects. Supposedly that has been fixed now. The plastic piece (A pillar) between the windshield and the side window snaps in place. If it is not fitted properly, water can leak through the mounting holes and into the BC1 and onto the floorboards. Some early builds had a poor water seal in the door locking mechanism. Water could drip past the lower window seal and inside the door. If it got into a sensor, it would wake up the system and the car would sit there with the windows going up and down and the doors locking and unlocking themselves. This was supposedly fixed too. These problems are well known to BMW, even if the dealer won't readily admit it. Document everything, then go to the dealer and let them fix it.

[oldnell]

Quote:

Originally posted by mr.bill
water could get in and create the infamous "Christine" effects.

What's a "Christine effect"?

[tip]

Has any of you had this problem. The windows do not dip when you open the door. To close the door then you have to lower the window, close the door, then raise the window. This only happens periodically.

[mr.bill]

Oldnell, I was one of the first to coin that here over a year ago. It refers to the Stephen King movie about a car named "Christine" that had a mind of its own. If you use the search engine for "Christine," you will find plenty of posts on it. Some examples are the door locks going up and down and windows and sunroof opening and closing while the driver was on the highway. Others have reported parking and locking their car, only to come back a few minutes later to find the windows going up and down on their own. Some cars have experienced a total failure of the electrical system, only to have it start working again. The probable culprit is water in a sensor. Later builds have an improved seal on the BC1 computer and better seals on the door locks. There are fewer complaints about it, but they still pop up from time to time.

[Paul]

Quote:

Originally posted by tip
Has any of you had this problem. The windows do not dip when you open the door. To close the door then you have to lower the window, close the door, then raise the window. This only happens periodically.

Many people, search this forum to read up on the problem, and the solution.

Search for 'windows' and 'dropping' or 'window' 'drop' etc. in the faults and fixes, you will turn up plenty of information.

[Basil]

Quote:

Originally posted by oldnell

What's a "Christine effect"?

It's a book about a car affectionately named "Christine". Written by Stephen King, and later made into a movie. It had (has) a life of it's own. It's worth a watch, and is now available on DVD.