When your MINI’s window gets stuck…
The driver’s side window on my MINI Cooper has always been a bit temperamental. Most of the time it works fine, but every so often it takes a vacation and will quit working.
The last time it happened, the car was going in for service anyway (to fix a cracked coolant overflow) so I had them check it. They wanted $400 to put a new motor in it. Hrumph. I said I’d live with it. Curiously, when I got the car back, it worked fine. They claimed it was because they disassembled and reassembled the door to check it out.
It worked fine for about six months after that until about a month ago, when once again it took some time off. I’ve been living with it.
A couple of days ago, I ran into a friend who has a similar ’03 MINI Cooper and we were comparing notes. He’s got 126,000 on his MINI, I’ve got 95,000. Both cars still drive like they’re new. He just got new brakes (or something similarly expensive), I just got a new A/C Compressor.
Then Donna mentioned that my window has been on the fritz, and Pete blew my mind:
“Oh, that’s easy. Hold the window switch down and hit the door hard about halfway between the door handle and the speaker. Then let go of the switch and try it. Should work fine. I’ve been doing that for three years.”
Yeah, right. I said I’d try beating up my car when I got home.
Doggone if it didn’t work! It was like getting a new car! I don’t know why I never thought of percussive maintenance before.
Thanks, Pete.
I offer this story here so that if anybody else has a MINI Cooper with windows that periodically stop working, perhaps it will be helpful to them as well…
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i would just like to “will wonders never cease”. ive been screwing around with a mini window for months and because the owner was so anal about his car. it never occurred to me to try “percussion therepy”. im eternally grateful don
That is awesome! A friend just sent me this article because I was about to take the car to the shop tomorrow for that same problem! It worked like a charm! THANK YOU!!! You probably saved me a ton of dough!!
Whoo hoo! I’m glad it was helpful to you, too. Sure made me happy to learn about it!
Eric
I really hate the thought of having to periodically beat my brand new car. *sigh* Do they not have a fix for it at the shop that is covered under warranty?
I can’t believe this actually worked! I have been suffering the intermittent window syndrome with my ’04 Cooper S on and off for years, with the latest jam going on for a month! Saw your post and had to try it that minute! Just a single blow got it working again! THANK YOU!
worked like a charm thanx for posting this on the web now my wife will think i realy fixed it ill tell her it was alot of work lol
OMG Thanks an ocean for sharing this!
It worked for me but only when the door is closed.
5 second fix, worked great! THANKS SO MUCH for posting this! I did it with the door open. I don’t think I would describe this just an “intermittent” problem. I’m pretty sure it occurs when you don’t let the window close completely and stop on it’s own before releasing the button. As you probably know, the windows automatically move down slightly when you open the door and back up when you close it, to allow it to pass under the rubber weather stripping. I beleive it gets jammed sometimes when it is stopped just short of completely closed (or something like that.) That’s just my guess… Anyway, Thanks again!
I will say no more! it worked ! make sure the door is closed!!!!! and use your palm !!!! MANY THANKS……….
Fantastic works like a charm. I had also decided to just live with it.
Thanks for sharing!! It worked!! Awesome!! My door lock is also not working, maybe I should try hitting other parts of car to get it working. lol
Incredible! My son’s 2003 mini windows had stop working for sometime, since he’s in college can’t afford to take it in for service. Was home this weekend so I thought to google it to see if anything would pop up. Found your link, promptly went out to his car, followed the directions and got both working in less time it took to write this. Thanks fo rhte tip!
Amazing, started to strip it all down and then thought, let’s google this and low and behold fixed it in two minutes. Slight difference though, I took a screwdriver and pushed the door latch shut so the locking mechanism was closed and I was able to work with the door open, I could get a better swing with my thump, and I got an assistant to work the switch whilst I did it. But great tip. You will be rewarded in heaven. don’t forget to unlatch the door by pulling the internal release before attempting to close the door..
It worked for me, too! I tried a few whacks every few days, to no avail. Today I sat in the driver seat, and with a barefoot, struck my heel about midway and a bit aft between the 2 speakers and IT WORKED! My husband and I laughed A LOT. Cheers
I can’t believe it worked. I was like sure this can’t true I never get out this cheap. I had both windows stop working the same day. I checked the fuse for both windows. I could hear the regulator switch on when I hit the button. Was preparing to spend big bucks to get it fixed. Found this posting and it worked!!! THANKS FOR POSTING THIS!!!!! I hope something good happens to you for helping ppl out.
Awesome, had trouble for the last six months and now it works like a charm. Thanks@
WOW, I have a 2004 Mini Cooper with this same issue, and this worked. I also wanted to note, this also fixes the window not sealing… where when you close the door, the window goes down and up to seal under the roof. Not sure if I make sense.. but it works. Thank you
Thanks for the tip it worked like a champ .
Thank you so much for this amazing solution. My window also stopped working and I just spent a fortune on replacing the thermostat I thought I would just live with it. I was bored so I googled to see what the problem was and I came across your answer. Wow, this is so amazing ans costs nothing. Thank you so much and God bless you for your kindness. Thank u so so much.
ThanX – works like a charm.
YES! I have a 2004 Mini Cooper S and have had intermittent problems with the driver’s side window getting stuck all the way up since the car was new. While the car was still under warranty the dealership replaced the motor, but that didn’t really fix the problem. I saw your post and was extremely skeptical. Three pops with the side of my fist later and I was about to call BS. Then on the fourth hit it started working again! Unbelievable.
I have a 2006 Mini Cooper S that I am having window and sunroof issues… Several times I have gone out to the car only to find that both windows are down about 5 inches and my sunroof is up. Is anyone else having this same problem or do you know what could be wrong?? Thank you!!
Teresa, I think this is some sort of built in feature. I can’t remember exactly what triggers it but if you press the lock button too many times on your key then both windows will lower a few inches and the sunroof also slides open a bit. I guess this was meant for people that wan to air out the car on a hot day but still have some security. I thought there was something wrong too but it looks like it’s by design. Hope that helps.
I tested out the partial window open. It’s triggered by unlocking using the unlock button on the key then pressing down and holding the unlock button for three seconds. You can then lock the car and the sunroof and windows will keep the slightly open position. If you don’t want to do the partial window open then be careful not to press the unlock button too long.
Awesome… quick bang and window works after 6 months… thanks a million
I also made an appointment to have the driver’s side window repaired because it stopped working a few days ago. After reading your post, I tried exactly what you said and IT WORKED! THANK YOU!!!!
I had an appointment scheduled w/ the dealer for this week and just for kicks looked up this issue. I tried this trick (door closed and used the non thumb side of my fist to give it a good whack) and it worked on both non-functioning windows on my 2003 Mini. You’re lifesaver!
It seems that with so many people having this problem that Mini should do a recall or at least offer free service to correctly fix the issue.
I was just getting po’ed about my driver side window takin’ a vaca also. Tried this simple little method and….yippi!! It works awesome!! Thank you thank you thank you!!
thanks…worked great and just in time for summer!
Currently banging as hard as I can on my door in between the handle and large speakers…not working for me like it is for others! I can hear gravel when I hold the switch up but the window is still stuck. Please help with any advice! Thanks!