Driver Window stuck in the up position

[Mini_me]

Quote: Originally Posted by Deadliner

This thing happened to me twice. It's a known thing and there's a post in the forum that gives the solution, tries searching for it. All you have to do is to perform a series of actions that I think goes as putting the key and turning it into the first position, push the button up and hold it for 15" or more then close the door and start the car, the window resets and operates. I don't remeber it very well so go ahead and find the proper thread.

This sounds like the solution to a different problem. I had already searched and seen a description similar to that for the problem of windows not dropping to open/close.
My problem is that the window wouldn't move at all.

I did a little more seraching and found one suggestion of hiting the door panel above the lower speaker !! : some say "If at first you don't suceed try, try again" ....other say " If it dont work, kick it". Much to my amusement the caveman approach worked a treat One solid thump between the 3 window regulator screws (already had the trim off) above the large speaker and Bob's yer uncle - it started working again.

Prime suspect is the motor since it now seems to be running at mildy varying speed. But at least I can get the window to wind down to where I can access the glass retaining screws better. Next job will be to call in at the dealers parts dept on the route to work to get a fresh motor (or motor + regulator if they don't come seperate). Would be nice to be able to get a better quality window motor since my search seemed to show that this is no isolated case.

I have to add I'm rather miffed that a few days after the 3rd birthday my Mini decided to break. Must be payback for all the time spent building a house instead of washing the car this year.

[jdc]

As mentioned earlier my window died on Saturday. Yesterday I organised a visit to Brisbane BMW and rearranged my day accordingly. I filled the mini up with petrol on the way in this morning and noticed the window drop wheni opened the door. "You're kidding" I said out loud. Sure enough got in and the window works perfectly.

Rang BMW and they said since the warranty doesn't expire for another year and a half, don't bring it in today but if it happens again let them know.

Oh well...

[Red Cooper]

To reset the door locks and window drop put the key in the lock and turn it for about 10 sec. This should reset it.
It worked for me...

[Klayre]

I've had the same problem since I got my little Cooper less than a month ago. Apparently it started when the previous owners took it in for a recall. It came back with the passengers window not working. Same thing - little relay noise but nothing else. They took it in to a local garage (I'd have taken it back to Mini, but hey ho), who fixed it, but then a couple of days later it stopped working again (after I'd picked Mini up and driven her 250 miles to my home).
So my boyfriend took the door panel off, had a look, nothing seemingly wrong. Took the fuses out, put them back in and it worked again. Then about a week later, I checked it again and it wasn't working again. Last night we tried taking out the fuses and putting them back in again and it didn't work this time.
Strange thing is that every time it's stopped working, it's been after heavy rainfall. And last night when we tried taking the fuses out and putting them back in again, it was raining.
The intermittent nature of the problem would suggest it wasn't something like a motor but something to do with the wiring. I don't want to take her to a dealer because the warranty has run out and Mini will charge me a fortune to fix it and who's to say it won't fail again a few days later!!!
Is there a definitive answer to this one?

[K9COOP]

I had this fixed the other day, Im sick of taking my car back considering selling the mini as its to be fair a bag of *****!

too many faults!

[matt21]

Quote: Originally Posted by K9COOP

I had this fixed the other day, Im sick of taking my car back considering selling the mini as its to be fair a bag of *****!

too many faults!

get another they aint all bad

[matt21]

i rang emergency services yesterday to try and get it sorted quickly without the dealer hassle but they wouldnt play ball even tho i put on a sob story about car park barriers and the danger of not getting out in the event of an accident

they said if its stuck down they'f fix it tho.

incidently mine only breaks when i have washed the car

[tenderidol]

Well... Passenger side window stopped working two days ago. Of course, the caveman method (I like the expression) worked (i.e., hitting the trim above the speaker). I am taking it in tomorrow. Hopefully, the motor will still be replaced although it works now. About a year ago, the "regulators" on both sides were replaced due to incurable window squek... Now it is the motors...
Mini_me, I would like to know if you find a way to replace it yourself. I have 7K more on warranty, but given the track record of my car, it is very likely that this problem will repeat a week after the warranty expires

[Mini_me]

Quote: Originally Posted by tenderidol

Mini_me, I would like to know if you find a way to replace it yourself. I have 7K more on warranty, but given the track record of my car, it is very likely that this problem will repeat a week after the warranty expires

Went to the dealers to ask about the motor and regulator. Had some difficulty understanding the parts guy, but as I understood it it is one peice that would cost me about 80 euros. However since they are so helpful they said they would have a look at it for me on a good will basis in a couple of weeks when I have some other stuff done (need new brake fluid since I'm still on the original w/ 3 years of use and will get them to fit my new brake pads while they are doing it) .

I have a Haynes manual which is very useful for this sort of thing. but heres a quick run down from memory.
If you want to have a go yourself -
1. First undo the four panel screws (one hidden behind the reflector)
2. Open the door and press the lock down.
3. Gently prise of the small speaker/door handle surround.
4. Then, using a flat tool , prise the panel away from the door ,off the clips (several around the outer edges of the panel). A couple of peices of card could help there to protect the panel and the door paint. The door lock button is on the end of a metal rod so will move with the panel a little (1-2 cms) but do the top clips last and take care not to pull the panel too far.
5. If necessary give the door a thump where the 3 screws for the regulator/motor are (above large speaker) to get the window working again.
6. remove seal on top of door
7. wind window so about 20cm is showing.
8. From the inside of the door remove the bolts holding the window glass in place and remove glass
9. remove 3 bolts for regulator and remove/replace.
10. If you got this far you should be able to manage reverse order refitting
hope this is useful.

[Billett]

The Problem is caused by the seal inside the door panel usually caused in the summer and you will notice a streek mark on the window. Check this before taking to the garage as they will alsways tell you that you need a new motor.

First check to see if you can hear the motor click when you try to make the wondow go down. If this is there then the motor is fine! If not you may have either a loose connection (this is another common problem) or a dead motor.

If the motor does click you have 2 options. the first is banging the door panel just above the speaker (this may not always work but 50% of the time it will)

The 2nd option to try is taking the door panel off and replacing the new seal inside. Then if this fdoesn't work consult your local dealer

[William Courant]

This just happened today on my 03 Cooper. Window will not budge with either the toggle, key, or opening and closing the door. This seems to be a common problem on these cars. Where did BMW get these d**m motors anyway? Zambia?

[William Courant]

Just had both window motors replaced today. Drivers side was completely inoperable, passengers side was intermittant. The dealer, East Bay Mini, was very good. Even though they couldn't duplicate the problem on the passenger side, they checked and found it was faulty, although not completely gone, and replaced both under warrenty Am I happy? Now I just hope these new parts are better than the old ones

[Sarah Takasugi]

1. IF YOU HEAR A CLICKING NOISE when you try the window: then it is NOT the fuses.

2. IF YOU DON'T HEAR A CLICKING NOISE, then it is most likely the fuses.

IF #1 APPLIES TO YOU:
There are other threads about faulty power window motor and regulators. I tried the banging from the outside (didn't work), I opened up the door panel and pushed the black connecting wires in (worked once) and now I am taking the motor assembly and regulator out completely and reconditioning the motor (rather than spending $140 for the motor and who knows how much for the labor since I am out of warranty). Khurrum has a post about how to recondition that is great (and includes large pictures to assist in the process). He also includes a link for those who just want to buy a new motor and put it in themselves (Clarke's page).
NOTE: this job is not difficult but removing the window is. So not for the faint of heart.

[humanfly]

I`ve had a passenger window stuck this morning, wouldnt go down but the 'click' was heard when pressing the button. I`ve also had the A/C compressor failure 2 months ago and really hated to think of having another pricey visit to the dealers.
I came here of course immediately, and the banging the door caveman method worked. Its just, I dont know should I be happy because of it or just think how crazy this little car is..
I'm getting afraid that this first gen mini will only be more and more expensive to hang with, so its either to save money for repairs or save money for a newer one..

[Pilla33157]

I have the drver side no working, then the passenger side did not work, I thoght it was a relay problem but I visit this web-site and I foun a post from Bajanmini saying that if you give a walop on above the speaker it will fix it, did not believe it, I try it and my two windows are working fine now. Thanks Bajanmini