So I was waxing my hood and headlights the other day. When the wax hazed over and was time for removing I started at the driver headlight. Half way through removing it off the headlight I could hear tiny static sounds as you sometimes do. Then all of a sudden the blinker came on ultra bright. I thought maybe I pushed on something, but nope. I searched the web high and low. Several suggestions said it was a way to light your pathway. Nope, apparently the conditions were just right with low humidity and static that I fried a circuit in my Footwell Module Part # 61353456987. The part is $325-$388 online. But my dealer wants another 2.5hrs of labor at $138/hr. Total cost is about $725 dealer installed. Can someone else program the Footwell Module? Can I buy it online give my vin and get it pre-programmed and install it myself somehow? I have a call into MINI Corporate right now because the warranty ran out 1 month and 1 day prior to this happening and I have asked MINI to please cover this. It has been a week now and no response. I just want to be prepared if MINI denies my request. I have loosened the bulb so it doesn't drain the battery. I also disconnected the battery for an hour and it doesn't reset the Module. It is for sure fried. I have no other ill effects thank goodness and it is drivable. Just an annoying fast blinker sound when turning left.
The dealer is the one that has to go bat for you with MINI. You want to ask for a Good Will repair. Calling MINI directly will do nothing.
I figured a poor ground somewhere. I thought I could easily just turn it off and back on and be on my way, but unfortunately no. I found on the net about 5 other people with the same experience, so at least I am not alone. I have called dealer twice, and they guy seems new, so I am going to try and question it a bit more and suggest the "Goodwill Repair" as Nathan posted. Its the only MINI dealer in Oklahoma so it will be interesting to see if they say tough or will be willing to get it comp'ed.
Recieved a call from MINI corporate that they are working on the issue and I could expect another week before a decision will be made. Very quick and vague. At least it wasn't a denial yet.
Failing a goodwill repair you might try to locate an indy BMW shop capable of doing the coding. bmw/mini software typically comes as a package so anywhere capable of coding a bmw should be able to code your mini as well.
Received my Clubman back all in working order and not a dime out of my pocket. The only down side is that all my service info is all jacked up now. It said my "State Inspection" was expired (I can actually edit it though). My next oil service was due in Sept. 2014 (I checked the computer and it has todays date and time correct). And other items as well were reset. I guess I will have to take it back for them to reset the service history items.