water leak

[geonot]

The drivers foot well and floor are soaking wet.Is this an easy fix? Experience with other cars I have had proved water leaks difficult to cure.

I am going to insist that the deafening material is replaced as the carpet is "squelching".I don't think that is unreasonable?

Any thoughts from people who have experienced a similar problems would be welcome.

[here2help]

It sounds like youre car may need the BC1 water ingress protection repair carrying out on it if it has not already being done?.
Do a search for water leaks...theres plenty to read about such an issue.

Cheers and keep us upto date with what you find please if you would be so kind.

Cheers

[mr.bill]

Have the dealer check the fitting of the plastic cover on the A pillar (next to the windshield.) It snaps in place and if it was not installed properly, water runs behind it, through the mounting holes and into the car. Depending upon which side leaks, water can also get into the BC1 module and cause the infamous "Christine" effects with the electrical system. Don't try to fix it yourself as you will probably break the plastic piece if you try to remove it. This is a known fault, even if the dealer tries to deny it.

[geonot]

Took the car in today(30/01/03). Addressed a polite but firm letter to the service manager asking that all the floor deafening material, carpets and floor mats be replaced when leak found. Also that the electrical system should be checked for water ingress.

Service manager agreed to my request. I also pointed out that I would not accept the car back with squeeks and rattles after the interior had been stripped out to replace the carpets.

The water leak is from the drivers door seal by the way!

You may wonder why I want all the absorbent material replaced rather than dried out? Once the material has been soaked and develops a smell you can dry it out and freshin the carpets,but the smell will reocur if the carpet gets wet again -wet feet in the winter etc.

Lets see how it goes!

[geonot]

Got the car back 8/02/03. All seems fine. Lets see what its like after its rained for a few days.

[Braderz31]

My other half bought a 51 plate Mini cooper hard top, recently the electrics started going bonkers. Windscreen wipers working even without the keys in the ingintion, indictors constantly on, dash board lights not working etc. i went to a 3rd party garage where they found 2" of water under the carpet in teh drivers foot well, where the main electrics box is. That box was corroded and obviously water damaged.
It seems that the silent recall BMW did a few years ago on the mini for a known water leak was carried out but badly. We have been in touch with BMW directly about this and they have siad that our local dealer should do the work on a good will basis or atleast 50/50. The local dealer is now reviewing the work and records before they commit to doing the work.

[MiniOneSam]

Apologies for the thread resurrection, but I'm hoping someone can tell me if they actually had any results with BMW Good Will for this?

Especially Braderz31 above if you still browse this forum...

A friend of mine is in this sticky situation and I want to call BMW armed with as much factual info as possible regarding the matter. Any help is much appreciated

[mab01uk]

Hi MinOneSam, you have probably seen my posts with info on this before and also as a 'sticky' in faults and fixes on the MT forum:
The BC1 (Body Control Unit) - Forums

I have personally not heard of anyone getting 'Goodwill' on this so long after the event.............but then always worth a try, and I was surprised when a BMW Dealer got 100% goodwill from MINI UK for replacement of the steering pump on a 2003 Mini with 65k miles recently (see link below). Goodwill seems to be very inconsistant, some customers get it others don't for no apparent reason.
ADVICE THREAD: Power Steering Pump Failures - Page 7 - totalMINI Forums

[MiniOneSam]

Mab, thank you very much for your useful post. Hopefully that BC1 thread will give me some ammo for BMW. I'll let you all know how it goes

[MiniOneSam]

Also, how do you diagnose if the BC1 unit is beyond repair...?

The dealers need 4 hours to remove carpet etc and dry it out...would this mean it's likely the BC1 is already corroded beyond use...? She had the symptoms off wipers/alarm until the battery went dead.

[mab01uk]

Most Mini dealers will probably use their diagnostics system to check it, then if some functions are faulty just replace the BC1 and re-program a new one to the car, as time is money. A diy home mechanic would first try drying it out with a hairdryer, etc or even open it up to check for corrosion, etc. inside. The early BC1 has a metal case, later black plastic. They are not mean't to be opened up (sealed unit) so it may mean you can't then go for a cheaper exchange unit. Mini breakers like MiniMatt and Minisparesuk usually have used BC1's available but if the donor Mini had different options fitted it may still need programming to the car. MiniMatt should be able to advise.

Most things like the wipers are controlled or at least pass through the BC1 via the bus wiring 'network' so it can affect many electrical items. As you can see in picture it is mounted low down, so if the water collects in the footwell the lower connectors/cables can be laying in water in bad cases. Under the carpet is a large cavity which can hold the water unseen below the carpet for some time.

BC1 Location


BC1 - The PCB Inside

[Gerard Bradley]

Hello, I have a 2002 Mini One

I am having problems with my wipers, randomly working to still working when the engine is switched off.. i first had a new wiper motor replaced.. still the same fault, then i had the wiper stalk replaced.. same problem.. an auto spark had a look at it & says it might be the BC1 unit has some water ingress ect.. i looked behind the bonnet release & i can see the conectors are exposed & there is no protective plastic waterproof cover.. where can i get a cover to protect theses conectors ect.. i see BA Rayman are doing a recoditiond unit.. im thinking of ordering one, but would like to make sure im waterproofing it & the problem wont happen again if the recondition unit will fix the problem..

Gerard.

[mab01uk]

The later plastic water shield cover (part no.61356942512 approx. £2 in 2006) it fits over the 2 top connector plugs on BC1.
See Diagram Item 9:-
RealOEM.com BMW R53 Cooper S BODY CONTROL UNITS AND MODULS

It is available from your local MINI Dealer spares department, you may need to order if not in stock.

You could also try online here:
www.bmminiparts.com - Home

More details here:
The BC1 (Body Control Unit) - Forums