Ok, so now that I was able to fix the "closing the top" issue on my 05 mini after 4 wet days of trying to get some help, I wiped down all the surface wet areas and sopped up the very wet passenger side floor, x2. (it still seems to have some water that comes up from somewhere when I go around corners). Following this adventure the passenger side window went down partway and refused to go up. Then I hit a bump and it became willing to go up and I brought it home and parked it. later that night the right headlight went on and stayed on. No key was near the car, the lights were all turned off, and eventually the battery went dead. Charged it the next day. Now it is a few days later and the car is locked and no one has been in it for days and now the red brake light strip near the back window is lit up. I am sure the water is related to these weird shorts. So, how do I get all the water out of the vehicle? What should I do about the electrical shorts?

 

Alex: That sounds bad. For electrical issues you have to find a wiring diagram for the car and start chancing down possible faults. Its a timely and often tedious process. If you have the money, this is one case that maybe be suitable for an experienced technician, given that you first solve the water intrusion problem.