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[JCWJeff]

A couple of days ago the AC went warm.  I just spent $280 at MINI to get the AC working again.  Picked the car up yesterday.  Tonight, after work, I go to get into the car, and the window on the driver's side doesn't drop like it normally does.  As a result, I can't get the window to seal when I close the door.  Get home, swap fuses with the passenger side.  No change.

It worked just fine before it didn't.  I get a clicking sound when pushing the button, but nothing else.  WTF???  Anyone encounter this before?  Anyone know what it'll cost me to get THIS fixed?  Seems like every time I come back from the dealer I have more problems than when I brought the car in.   

[MaxN]

This is 'normal' so is the fix.......

The regulators 'go bad' over time.

A temporary fix is to operate the switch - flicking up and down and thump the door just above the speaker - suddenly it will work fine.

The temporary fix is repeatable for a very long time - one of my windows has been 'going out' for almost three years - every few months I apply the fix and it is fine again.

A permafix is a new regulator....

[JCWJeff]

Fun.  The passenger window seemed to stop working a while back, and I fussed with the switch a few times and it "magically" started working again.

Nice to know that BMW was so focused on quality control when they built the car. 

[Minidave]

Whats really wrong is the brushes in the motor are worn and are barely making contact with the commutator. Replacing the brushes is the inexpensive but harder fix. The easier one is to buy the motor and replace it. Bumping the door (the Fonzi fix) just makes them touch the commutator again and it'll work for a while, like Max's is doing. I think part of the problem is how frequently the motor runs compared to a regular car, which doesn't dip it's windows every time you open and close the door.

If your car is fairly close to just being out of warranty you might be able to get them to replace it under "goodwill" warranty - they replaced both of mine that way and I was a year out of warranty on time and about 5K over on miles..........I think because it's been a problem since the cars were new. other BMW's  also have this problem, the ones with frameless windows anyway........

[JCWJeff]

What's the "goodwill" warranty?  Mine's less than a year out of warranty.  The warranty expired about a month after I bought it (i.e. Aug 2008).

[Minidave]

I'd ask them if they'd fix it for you under warranty, can't hurt right? Goodwill is simply them paying for it out of goodwill towards a customer, something that probably shouldn't be covered under the strict terms of the warranty.

I don't think there's a specific time period, especially when they're "known" issues.

What was wrong with the A/C? Gotta have A/C, especially in Phoenix!

[JCWJeff]

Like everything car related in Phoenix...AC works great, til it gets hot.  Windshield wipers work great, unless it rains...

Seriously, it apparently just needed more, or recharged, R134a.  They said that they couldn't find any leaks in the system.

I tried the bang on the door thing this morning, and it worked.

[CooperChick]

Let me tell you.. I do NOT miss AZ summers!!   
When the AC went out in my '90 300ZXTT, I decided to move to CA!!   

[Minidave]

Wow, $280 for some Freon.............whew!

There must be a leak, otherwise where would it have gone?

I was always amazed at the Lexus I just sold, after 11 years the A/C still worked just as new. I grew up in an era where a yearly recharge of freon was the norm.

If you're going to ask them to good will the window motor, don't wait any longer........time is of the essence.

[MaxN]

I rarely use the AC in my cars.

In the MINI the 'climate control' costs me 3-4mpg and even on auto it is not as good as it could be.

In the MR2 the roof is down 99% of the time and it seems a little silly to attempt to AC the entire sky.

[Minidave]

I never noticed that much difference using the climate control on my '03, but I haven't had enogh hot weather to find out how it will affect the clubster. But where Jeff lives in Phoenix, A/C is a must 8 month or more out of the year.

[JCWJeff]

I only use it about 6 months out of the year.  I usually don't need AC til the temp gets over 90.  Beyond that, I mostly use it when I need to go somewhere in the middle of the day or when I need to go someplace dressed nicely and don't want to be soaked with sweat on my back when I get there.

[JCWJeff]

BTW...I did the bang on the door thing and it worked.  Window's been fine since.  Thanks.