Hey all.

I have a 2007 MCS that REALLY doesn't like the rain. Every time it rains, something funky happens with my electrical system.

Typically, when the car dries out, it goes back to normal. This time...not so lucky.

At the moment, my red service light is on. I have no interior dashboard lights, and no internal turn signal lights or buzzers. The turn signals work ok, but I have no notification when they are on. So, I'm having to use reflections in other cars, etc, to see if they are on or off.

I'm wondering if it's a fuse or relay somewhere. Any thoughts?

Michael

 

Oh...I should follow it up. HUGE water puddle on the interior of the car, driver's side. behind and in front of the seat...but a LOT behind. I shop vac'ed it out a couple of times and let it dry, but it seemed to be coming from inside the car somewhere.

 

Do you have a sunroof? The drain tube comes off and the water then leaks into the cabin. Fairly easy fix.

Sounds like the footwell module is getting wet. The footwell module does a lot of lighting functions. It is located behind the trim by the hood release. Open this up and look at the connectors, you could see corrosion.

The body control module is located on the passenger side by the fuse box. Is there evidence of water over there too?

 

I DO have a sunroof...I'll look up where the drain plug is. Thanks for the heads up. I'll dig around and see if I can fix.

 

So, popped the panel in the footwell off, and sure enough, there was a bit of water damage to the plug. I cleaned it and sprayed with WD40, and reconnected. Now...my turn signals don't work at all, and I still have no interior lights. Module fried?

 

WD40 would be the wrong thing to use. You should have used something called contact cleaner. It's worth pulling the module cleaning each pin and the same with the plug. If you still have issues then I'd imagine the module is bad.

 

You could also make sure that there are no blown fuses.

 

Just chiming in to say, make sure the drains are clear in the sunroof. Open the roof and locate the drains - run weed whacker line down them, and then carefully swish the line around... pour a little water in them to clear them out, make sure they are draining often.

Sadly this is a common problem with many cars, not just Mini's. My neighbor just had a $2000 bill on her Nissan Quest minivan due to sunroof drains backing up and flooding her trunk with water - Nissan places all the audio drivers in the rear, so cooked the radio/sat nav/ etc...

 

I have gone through this thread as my own (new to me) '07 Mini Cooper S has started to have some funny electrical issues. We have had three days of rain that ended on the 22nd of October and since then the windows will not go down, in fact the windows do not even go down or when I open the doors and the lights do not come on when I unlock the car.

The sunroof has not worked since I bought the car 3 months ago and I have not looked at getting it fixed as I know it is a bit pricey so I was going to have that looked at in the spring.

If I disconnect the computer module and clean it up and unplug / reconnect the battery could that correct this issue?

 

Sometimes, if the footwell module is not bad. If its is it will need replaced. The water can fry them out.

Sunroof drains:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ater-leak.html

Footwell module:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...solutions.html

 

Thank you for the links to the other threads for the Footwell Module (FRM). I have gone out tonight and checked all the fuses, but could not find the Module in question. I have looked under the steering wheel on my car, which is where the Bonnet release is. I have also looked on the side where the fuse panel was and took off the panel hiding the interior heater core. I could not find the Footwell module. My MINI Cooper S is a 2007. Where have I not looked? I really want to try and clean this instead of paying the dealer.

I have gone through the other thread on the FRM through all the posts on the module that was given, but placement has not been mentioned or pictured.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Mkirby

 

You are welcome.

Its on the left hand side footwell, link to workshop manual here: Post #10

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...solutions.html

 

Thanks ESTuning;

Looking at the manual link (awesome btw) it doesn't show how to get to the FRM. Is it tucked behind the plastic molding that surrounds the hood release, or is it behind the foot rest?

All the help is fantastic.

 

you are correct. it is behind the plastic molding. pop it out and it is right there. it is also secured by two 10mm nuts. check car-part.com for replacements. try to match the hardware number. OR you may pick anyone and have it reprogrammed using NCS Expert

 

I was afraid of it being there.
Well I will be gentle as I pull it off so that I can see the FRM and shoot the connector cleaner on it.

If it does not work then I will check out car-part.com. Thank you for the lead and the help.

MKirby

 

Welcome, yea it's just behind that panel. Let us know how it turns out.

 

So here is the update.

So MINI is at the dealer. Electrical gremlins are what I thought they were. It is the FRM (Footwell Module). Looks like about $2000.00 to replace and program. I should get my MINI back by end of the week. After the drain is reconnected, floor is dried, and FRM is replaced and programmed.

 

2K woooooooow...i'll drive to you, replace, program, and enjoy a cup of coffee for much less than that!
you can buy a software for $80 on ebay, get an FRM module for about 150. and free files from the internet and how to's. it is worth it.
better yet, find a NAM member in your area who's got the software. if none, just buy the FRM with matching part number. that will put you back on the road for cheap.

 

Sorry to hear that. Most of our MINI footwell modules new are about $500, then its a couple hour to program. Unless there was major wire replacement or maybe they had other program issues.

 

Hi I was reading over your post and was wondering if you could help, I also have a 2009 r56 (no sunroof) and after an engine fix it started giving me issues when it rains. At first it was just the locks (locking and unlocking on their own and the trunk opening on its own) now it just doesnt turn on but all the electrical things go crazy and ive checked the battery and its working well. Not sure what to do.

 

Updated info on the FRM aka footwell module here, some models that don't have sunroof i guess could get water in from front cowls, bad windshield job, or the side window not sealing on the gasket.

Recall notice coming in. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-incoming.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...utions-13.html