BMW / MINI FRM (Footwell Module) Troubleshooting

Use this guide if you reinstalled your repaired FRM (Footwell Module) and the problem is still happening.

1) Confirm you installed the correct module

• Make sure it’s the exact FRM you removed and sent in (match the label/part number).
• Confirm the connectors are fully seated and locked.
• If the vehicle had prior FRM replacements, confirm the current FRM matches what the car was running before the failure.

2) Check battery voltage first

• Low voltage can cause FRM faults and communication issues.
• Fully charge the battery before troubleshooting if possible.
• If the battery is weak or connections are loose/corroded, correct that first.

3) Do a proper sleep reset

• Turn ignition OFF, remove key/fob, close doors, lock the vehicle.
• Wait 10–20 minutes so the car can go to sleep.
• Recheck the symptom.

4) Check fuses and power feeds

• Check all fuses related to FRM/lighting/interior power.
• Don’t rely on visual inspection only if you can avoid it.
• If a fuse is blown:
• Replace it once.
• If it blows again, stop—there may be a shorted lamp circuit, damaged wiring, or water intrusion.

5) Inspect connectors and wiring near the FRM

• Unplug/replug the connectors to ensure they are fully seated.
• Inspect for:
• Bent pins, pushed-out pins, loose terminals
• Corrosion/moisture/water staining
• Heat damage
• If there is any history of water intrusion (wet carpet/footwell), that must be addressed or the problem can return.

6) Confirm the issue isn’t caused by an external short

FRMs commonly fail when a circuit is shorted or overloaded.

• Check the lighting circuits that were affected (headlights, tails, markers, interior lights).
• If bulbs were recently changed, confirm correct bulb type and that no pins are bent in lamp connectors.
• If any aftermarket lighting is installed (LED conversions, ballasts, halos), return to stock if possible for testing.
• If a fuse continues to blow, stop and have wiring checked (repeated fuse replacement can damage modules).

7) Scan the vehicle with a BMW-capable tool

• Use a scan tool that can read BMW body modules (not just generic OBD).
• Pull and save all codes from:
• FRM
• CAS/BDC (if applicable)
• KOMBI (cluster)
• Gateway/network modules (if applicable)
• Clear codes and retest after a key cycle and short drive.
• If you still have “no communication,” verify whether other modules communicate normally (helps separate power/network problems from a module issue).

8) If windows, mirrors, or lighting still don’t work

These symptoms can also be vehicle-side:

• Check door jamb wiring for broken wires (especially driver door).
• Confirm the affected switches have power and are connected (window switch packs, headlight switch).
• If multiple unrelated items are dead at once, recheck FRM power/ground and related fuses again.

9) If the complaint started after battery replacement or a dead-battery event

• Low voltage events can trigger module faults.
• Make sure the battery is fully charged and stable, then do the sleep reset again.
• If the battery is old/weak, replace it and retest (unstable voltage can cause repeat FRM issues).

10) If it still isn’t fixed

If you completed the checks above and the issue remains—especially if it happens immediately upon install—please call or email UpFix using the contact information from your order confirmation for the fastest help.

When you reach out, include:

• VIN
• Exact symptoms and when they occur
• Any scan codes pulled (stored + pending)
• What you verified (battery, fuses, connector condition, sleep reset)
• Any aftermarket lighting or recent electrical work (bulbs, battery, jump start, water intrusion)