I searched the forums but did not find this particular problem so I thought I'd post. I have 2011 Cooper Hardtop with about 29k miles on it. I'll try to give a chronological order of events...

Thursday June 20: I parked my car and tapped both window buttons to auto-raise the windows. The driver side window went up fine, but the passenger side window stopped half-way up and then rolled itself back down about 3". Confused, I manually held the passenger side window button up and it began going up until about 3/4 of the way to the top when it stopped and rolled itself back down by about 2" this time. I tapped the passenger window button to try to auto roll it and it stopped 2" from the top and automatically rolled itself down to 1/2 open. I couldn't do anything about it so I left it 1/2 open while I went shopping. When I came back I it was doing the same thing, but I figured out a trick to get it closed - I held the window switch just long enough to pass the "auto-roll" sensor but not long enough for the window to stop itself. I slowly worked it up and finally got it closed. I called and scheduled an app't. for today (June 28).

June 21-26: I didn't touch the passenger side window for a few days fearing I wouldn't be able to get it closed again. Finally, on the 26th I tested it since I knew it'd be in the shop soon anyways. The passenger side window rolled up and down without stopping. HOWEVER, it was noticeably slower than the driver side window. They used to be the same speed but now they are not.

June 28th: I woke up today to bring it to the shop and it wouldn't start. I heard many, many clicking noises coming from the panel on the floor on the passenger side. I called road-side assistance and got it jumped. I drove it directly to the MINI dealership but on the way noticed two things: 1) the RPM's dipped down to around 4-500 when I was at a red light and 2) the lighting behind the radio screen went black for about 1 second and then came back on.

The dealer called me earlier today and told me the passenger side window needs to be "recalibrated" and they are going to trickle-charge my battery overnight as I must have "left a light on in the car or something". I do not believe I left anything on in the car but it's a moot point at this time.

My questions to all of you: Is there something I should be aware of as far as these issues? Are there any important questions to ask the dealer when I go to pick up the car tomorrow? And if my passenger side window is still rolling up slower than the driver side window, should I make a deal out of it or just take it home? I don't want the window motor to become a problem after I am out of the warranty period.

Thanks for your time!

 

Looks like your battery is about to go... Strange electrical issues occur when your battery is about to die. If you don't get it replaced now, you'll probably be making a return visit to your dealer.

 

battery or alternator? Never had a car give me those kind of problems without the alternator dying, because it runs most of the power when driving.

 

Had similar issue. A cell went bad in the battery and all kinds of weird stuff starting happening, radio turned on when locked the car, windows not responding, interior lights staying on. It should still be under warranty.

I too have a 2011 MCS. Wonder if they had bad batch of batteries.

Also, when you bring it in, they'll update the software. You'll lose the readout on the right side of computer. Meaning no more trip. You'll have to cycle using the button.

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the replies, I appreciate it. So far I have not heard from the dealership. When they call I'll post an update on what they found or did.

 

Okay I just heard back from the dealership and they said:

1) My battery is not holding a charge.
2) I "must have left something on" and that "ruined the battery."
3) It is not covered under the warranty.
4) It will cost me $480 for the battery and labor to replace.

I am so frustrated at this point. I know nothing was left on. I don't sit in my car and listen to music while the engine is off. I don't leave lights on. And now the battery is junk because it died somehow. It doesn't seem fair. Anyone have any advice?

 

IMO the battery should be covered maint', so if your maint' is valid then they should replace it. If your maint' coverage is over take the car to any decent autopart store and get a battery for about $125. A good place will even install it. Or if you have a favorite mechanic ... $480 for a battery is criminal.

But it also sounds to me that your pass' window is either sticking in the guides, or the motor is going. If still works slow after changing the battery I hate to say this but .. back to the dealer unless you want to pay out of the pocket.

btw if you have AAA they will bring a new battery to you and install it in your driveway. Not free .... but that's one of their services for members.

 

Thanks for the input Capt. So I picked up my car, bought a replacement battery from Autozone, and hooked it up. So far everything appears fine. I have not tested the passenger side window yet, but I am going to assume it will continue to be slower than the driver side. If that's the case, I will be bringing it back to the dealer again to have it replaced.

Edit: I just realized your location is Melbourne, FL. I went to school there! Small world.

 

In Minis a battery that's about to go bad will cause some strange electrical stuff... It's a Mini

 

Still learning. 480 for a battery is ridiculous. I would have showed up there with the battery. Doesn't the long to put in. I would have done it right in their service drive.
I would also call mini USA to complain. That's ridiculous that they didn't swap it out under warranty. Sometimes batteries just go bad. Had an auto zone battery in my grand prix crap out 23 months after purchase. They swapped it out free with no hassle (24 month warranty)