I was doing some research last week and stumbled across a recall for our Mini Cooper S that I wasn't aware of. Apparently they have recalled these cars to inspect and possibly replace the Footwell modules due to corrosion. Quite odd that they didn't send me a letter or e-mail to advise me but once I asked if there were any recalls they said yes bring her in. It seems that the modules corrode due to leaky sunroofs with plugged drains and or just because they are subjected to salt and snow for the folks driving in winter climes.

So here I sit at the dealer while they have a gander at my corroded module which I know is bad and I had been planning to replace it. Hopefully be back on the road with a new module here soon!

So check it out! You may get a free module for your mini too!

 

Let us know the outcome. I think my FRM also needs to be replaced.

 

They change it for free! Now we have working interior lights again.....woohoo

I also have the clubman going in for the same recall so it may get one too.

 

Can someone post a link to this warranty recall. Is this ALL of NA or only Canada?
We've owned our 2013 MCS since new and have never been notified or any recalls or extended warranties...

 

Mine went bad after trying to change my dead battery. The dealer said the recall had ended for my car. I found a mechanic in California who would reprogram my FRM for only $75. I sent it to him and got it back in three days. Everything works great

 

Recalls don't end. They are safety related and don't go away after any amount of time. This must be a Technical Service Bulletin or a type of goodwill repair.

 

Correct.
This is an extended warranty of the FRM, now extended to 10 years and 150k miles.
But it seems they only cover certain failure modes...

 

So I have a 2008 MCS. I only have 105k so I’m under on the mileage requirement, but I guess I’m over on the 10 years? Wonder what my chances are at getting a good will repair from MIni? Any one had any success with getting the FRM covered or comped/partially comped past the 10 years?

My car is showing all the signs of a problem FRM.

 

I will say that at least the despicable thieves at the BMW/MINI of Columbus OH were honest enough to tell me on the phone that (I para-phrase now) "yes, your FRM is covered by this extended warranty, however if we find signs of corrosion on the FRM or wiring THEN IT'S NOT COVERED by warranty and was going to cost ~ $2000 to replace/reprogram!!!

Needless to say I exposed the part first to check for corrosion and of course it was corroded -- the sun-roof-drain-failure mode dumps water straight into the FRM! Even if it didn't, in a humid place like OH with the carpet padding being a sponge which lays up against the FRM you're sure to wick water up to the cable connections anyway...

Find a reasonable independent shop or plan to do it yourself. You can order a preprogramed (for your car) unit from ebay for pretty cheap...

 

Info here: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...47573-9999.pdf

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...stage-1-a.html 2018 extension Thats all the info i found, thanks for the info on the FRM corrosion. I got my letter in the mail back in the day in 2018.

https://www.miniusa.com/owners/tools...rt/recall.html here is where you enter to find out

Always clean those sunroof tubes and check to make sure the water is not on the floor.

Sunroof drains check and fix. Fix Kit: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...51738197504kt/



https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-footwell.html

 

Thanks for those links!! I've done the sunroof tube clamps years ago, so long ago that I had completely forgotten about that!

I removed the FRM this morning (took all of about 5 minutes!), boxed it up, and sent it to ECU Pro for a diagnostic and repair. I live 60 minutes away from the nearest MINI dealer or independent shop, so this was a lot less hassle. Will likely be less expensive as well, since I would have been amazed if MINI would cover it. I haven't found any postings where someone had luck getting them to extend much beyond the 10 years on the warranty extension.

 

Hi All! In the process of fixing my FRM as well on 2011 Hatchback. Rather than replacing it completely I'm going to send it to Bimmerscan in CA to see what they can do with reprogramming the chip/board. If that doesn't work, I'll fork over the money to replace it entirely.

In the meantime, though, I've just removed the FRM from the car and after doing so the dashboard lights will not shut off. I'm worried the battery may drain a bit while the FRM is being worked on. Has anyone else had this problem with dash lights staying on? I wonder if I should just disconnect the battery for now....?

 

I pulled my FRM a few days ago and sent in to ECU Pro for a diagnostic. It was not something they could repair, so they are sending me a "cloned" FRM for a total of $499 including the diagnostic. The say the one they send me is "cloned", so it should be plug and play with no recoding needed.

 

@colstein I would disconnect the battery, for sure. I have mine disconnected until my replacement FRM gets here.

 

yeah I called them when I was aware of the recall- it only became available on may 15 and you needed to be registered to get a notice when they fix the problem and then you can bring it to a mini dealership and get it fixed for free. But they haven’t solved it yet but the person I spoke to said they had to resolve it

 

my recall came out for my 2010 R56 mid 2023 for the footwell Module. It's been. Over a year now and Mini is "still working on a resolution."

 

No open recalls on my R57 when I run the VIN through the Mini site, but pretty sure I have some FRM issues.
Probably have to bite the bullet & shell the $ to replace/program it.

 

No recalls open for my 2013 R56 JCW but I'm throwing multiple FRM-related fault codes, even though my adaptive lights and turn signals and whatnot are all actually functioning just fine as far as I can tell. For the time being, I'll clear the codes and see if they pop back up anytime soon, but it's good to know that there are services out there like ECU Pro, eBay, etc. so I can avoid the stealership if worse comes to worst.

Scan results:

Driver's side footwell module FRM 8

1. 9CBF FRM: Communication with step motor controller on the left disrupted
2. 9CC0 FRM: Communication with step motor controller on the right disrupted
3. A8AA FRM: Dipped beam, left, faulty
4. A8AB FRM: Dipped beam, right, faulty
5. A8B0 FRM: Direction indicator, front left, faulty
6. A8B1 FRM: Direction indicator, front right, faulty
7. A8BB FRM: MINI: Side marker light at front left or rear right faulty
8. A8BD FRM: Number-plate light faulty

That last one might actually be legit, but I really couldn't care less about illuminating my license plate.

 

I got quoted [local indy shop] just shy of $1k to replace & program a new FRM

 

Woof.

I haven't used them (...yet) but The ECU Pro is saying $250 for diagnosis and repair or $499 for a refurbished, programmed replacement if it can't be repaired. You ship to them and they eat the return shipping. Still more than I'm particularly comfortable with, but hey it's not like I bought an R56 because I was super attached to having money...

eBay seems to be anywhere between $150 and $1500 for my FRM (#61356827073) all without programming and probably taken from salvage/junkyard donors around the world. ECS has it new for $550 or refurbished for $400, both without programming.

Try RealOEM with the last 7 of your VIN to find your specific FRM and what other part numbers might apply to the same component, and maybe you can find it for less than what you were quoted (I found mine under "Vehicle electrical system" --> "Control units, modules, sensors" --> "Control unit, footwell module")

 

Thanks. I've got another local shop that said they'd program it for 1hr labor @ 160/hr, if I provide an OE FRM.
the prior shop would only do it if they provide the FRM.

 

Anyone have a quickie guide on getting to the FRM?
I've seen that it's ahead of the hood release, but does the entire panel have to be removed to get to it?
Also, does the FRM control retracting the top [R57]? I've got window & 'sunroof' control, but the top wont retract.

 

retract

 

No, the convertible top has its own dedicated control module.

FRM removal

 

Ok, thanks. Weird that it's not wanting to work, when it was before, but the windows were inop when the FRM decided to act up.