So getting into my 2003 MINI Cooper today going to get it washed I noticed my window (driver side) wouldn't operate. At all, when I hit the toggle switch to go down, it would click once when I hit it then nothing. I checked the fuse, didn't seem to be burnt or anything so I couldn't see how the fuse would be a problem. So that leaves what? I'm praying it's not a motor or anything too expensive, I just purchases two new bearings for the back and have yet to put them on plus my service engine soon light is on! :( And to top everything off I'm on vacation!

 

Try the "Fonzie" method of balling up your fist and give a wack or two right above the lower speaker on the door. It works ---

 

Yep the Fonzie method works....
it does for me also.
Philip

 

Seriously?!

 

Hahahaha! I just did this. Works like a charm! That's hilarious though. Is there a reason that happens? Too hot or something?

 

Fonzie works for me about every 6 months, when the weather changes.

 

that worked for me too! how about a loud clunk noise when you roll up the window? it seems to be coming from the door and not the window trim around the door frame. could it be the weather as well? it is extremely hot here in VA these days.

 

Hahahaha just tried this, worked for me!!!

 

I've fixed a bunch this way, but eventually the window motor will need to be replaced. But this fix can sometimes last a long time.

 

I`ve been dealing with this prob for the last 3-4 yrs . But I think I ran out of fonzie hits its not working anymore , at least its the passenger side. Whoever Invented electric windows should be shot....lol...Im a manual window man the only thing that would break on those was the little **** on the arm. If someone would invent a manual backup for electric windows they would be a BILLIONAIRE....Hmmmmmmmmmmm Im putting on the thinking hat.

 

i literally just bought a new motor assembly and regulator assembly for my passenger door. Fonzie method doesn't work any more for me.

 

My wife and I just tried the fonzie method in her 04 MCS, it works as advertised.

 

Same thing happened to mine the first week I owned it. I googles the problem and found the Fonzie fix. Sure enough it worked. I've read that the electrical contacts wear out and the Fonzie punch makes contact again. As said before this will eventually stop working.

 

Going strong 2 years later on the Fonzie method.. I've had to do it 4 or 5 times now.

 

The problem I have is that it is so damned erratic.

All winter passenger side window no work. Then one day in the spring it works. Then the drivers side stops working after heavy rain storm drive. Several weeks later it now works again. WTF.

Fonzie method seems to have no effect. Just randomly each window seems to decided to work or not for periods of time.


Also the drivers door lock actuator died. Bull$hit crap electronics.

Not sure if we will be buying another MINI at this point.

 

I left town for a few days and when I got back my passenger window wouldn't go down. The next day (today) the same thing happened to the driver's side window. I'm going to try the Fonzie method when I get back out to the car. Maybe the radio will come on when I hit it too. "Heyyyyyyy!!!!"

 

It worked. Since both windows had the problem, and it worked so well on the first one, I recorded a video of how to do it.

5 points to the first person who remembers the actor's real name, Fonzie's full name, and what he jumped in the famed two part episode. Go!

 

Henry "The Fonz" Winkler -- Author Fonzarlli -- A shark tank

 

His first and last name in the show was Arthur Fonzerelli, but yeah.

 

IIRC, the shark tank stunt, which was fairly late in the series' run when ratings were beginning to slip a bit, was the origin of the term "jumped the shark", which means, more or less, that whatever it's being applied to is no longer hip and cool, and has just resorted to cheap tricks to try to retain or regain your attention....

BTW, the Fonzie trick works great so far for me. When it's really hot (which is much of the time here), my driver's side window doesn't want to work. A quick whack and it goes. One other thing that helps is to leave the window just barely open. I think the brushes in the motor getting dirty is the issue, and starting from a cleaner spot seems to eliminate the need to Fonzie it, even on the hottest days.

C ya,
Dutch

 

Although if the fonzie trick does not work.... I am learning it may be the FZV controller, aka: central locking receiver. Still trying to find out more about it.

 

When I first got my '02 MCS last Dec. the windows (both) would work intermittently, about half the time . Sometimes they wouldn't go up, sometimes they wouldn't go down. I even tried the reset procedure. Since they both worked part of the time I figured it was the switches, not the motors. I bought a used switch panel on eBay but while waiting for it to come in I took the original switch panel out of the car and took it apart. It's really pretty simple and it just snaps back together. I cleaned all the contacts on the circuit board and switches then reassembled it. I didn't reinstall it, just pluged it back into the harness and tried it. Worked great so I put the dash back together and it has now worked without a single issue for 8 months and my eBay spare is sitting in my garage.

'02 MCS, Leather, Premium, Sport, Cold Weather pkgs

 

I just Fonzied the heck outta mine to no avail. Parts are on order with the mechanic, but I'll try to keep troubleshooting...

 

Fonzie no help for me. I replaced my door actuator, and nothing changed.

I now believe it is a failed BC1 or body control module sometimes called general control module. The computer that does everything else but the engine.

My Symptoms:
Xenon lights no longer self adjust.
Doors locks pretend to lock when you just insert key in ignition.
Erraticaly working windows, either or both or none.
Drivers door does not lock/unlock with FOB.
Windows do not adjust upon open/close of door.
Convenience open/close of all windows does not work with either the manual key or FOB.
Headlight washers no longer work.

So far Century MINI in Greenville SC cannot even answer their phone at 2pm on a Friday. Hate the stealership.

Oh and BC1 is a part you need the dealer to program.

 

So I looked on the Autozone website and it looks like they can get me a window motor assembly a lot cheaper than anybody else can. Is it a bad idea to buy it from them and try doing it myself?