My drivers side power window has been nothing but a pain for the last year plus. It's been in three times due to either not dipping or not working at all. The dipping issue happens all the time. The refusal to move (always stuck in the up position) is associated with high heat or high humidity.

In the last 16 months, I've been told that it's somehow gotten unplugged (visit 2), the regulator has been replaced twice (visit 1 and 3), the motor once (both reglator and motor on visit three) and after the last visit (picked it up Wednesday), it worked for maybe three or four door openings before the window refused to dip anymore. Is there something the dealer is missing? I'm almost out of the bumper to bumper coverage, so I obviously I can't hold off on getting it back in for service. I know we've got good people at Schomp here in Denver, but this problem isn't getting fixed. Anyone have any recommendations for a direction to send them in?

 

I am not sure about Colorado but in NC the lemon law is three times for the same problem so you might want to get a lawyer and check into that.

 

5280Motoring,

What paths have you taken to escalate this issue? Have you gathered all your paperwork together?

1) Do you have a good "paper trail" for the service attempts? If not, start now to assemble all related documents in a single "dossier". You will need to make copies of all your documents for the escalation process.

2) Has the Service Manager seen this documentation? Make sure he/she gets a copy of your dossier (sent via mail, return receipt) and formally request a resolution. Make note of the mileage currently on the car in your paperwork to affirm that the problem existed while you were still under warranty. Make an appointment with the SM to discuss this.

3) Has Schomp's General Manager seen it as well? Ask for an appointment with the General Manager and hand him a copy of the dossier. Briefly discuss your displeasure with the level of service you are receiving. Ask that he/she try to rectify the problem "in-house" before you escalate the issue to Regional MINI Offices

4) If an immediate resolution does not occur, escalate the issue to the Regional MINI Offices. In a letter to both Schomp and MINIUSA, recap what the dealership has done so far. Mention the steps (above) that you have taken and request that a Regional MINIUSA Service Technician pay a visit to review what has been done. Make sure Regional MINIUSA Offices get a copy of your dossier.

5) As the final step in allowing MINI to rectify the issue, you should contact MINIUSA in New Jersey and ask to speak with the Vice President of Customer Relations. He is responsive.

Failing all of these steps...it's time to go Lemon Law. Fortunately, everything you have done and documented in the prior five steps can be used for this process and will well-support your case.

May the force be with you...

Theo

 

Aren't British-built cars great? So much character!

 

Yes, especially since it started working again Friday night and has stayed working since.

I still don't trust it and am exploring my options. Thanks for the input everyone.

 

Sounds to me like they are concentrating their attention inside the door and possibly missing the connector where the door wiring meets the hinge pillar. There is a connector there that might be a source of problems.

 

I was thinking along those lines. I replaced a window motor in a previous car of mine and have replaced wiring in two older vehicles I've had. To me, it's screaming bad connection in the path between switch and motor. And I told them as much. I'd go after it myself except that I shouldn't have to, you know? But I think, the concept of a short along the path is going to be the focus of my next inquiry. It's only dipping about 25% of the time right now.