Today, my power steering cooling fan on my '02 Cooper abruptly stopped, and I lost all steering assist. I found a small rock inhibiting the rotation of the power steering cooling fan, and dislodged it. Expecting to find a fuse blown, I looked up which ones relate this. One was listed as fuse 'F39', a 5-amp, relating to the Alternator, and the electric power steering pump (EHPS). It was fine. Another one, in the panel under the hood, next to the left strut tower, listed as 'F08', a 30 amp relating to the Heater and A/C blower, and the EHPS was also okay. I even checked the 100 amp one on the underside of the same fuse panel (FL4) relating to the EHPS. No blown fuses!!! So, I am driving around with no power steering, getting stronger, but not very happy.Does anyone have a clue where to look next?- Tune Velcro

 

I think you fried your power steering pump.

 

I think, sorry if I am missunderstanding, you have looked at the wrong fuse. There is one for the FAN, a 5 amp under the bonnet, for both PS fan and radiator fan.

How long were you driving with no PS fan do you know? How hard were you driving the car. My PS Fan failed and I had to get replaced. My PS Pump eventually went and was a result of the PS Fan going but not immediately.

I would recheck your fuses first and see if the PS Fan is working as that can "trip" the Ps Pump apparently on the on early S's

 

Is the ps fan working, or is it still not turning? Looking at the circuitry, it looks like the powersteering unit will not work if the ps fan is not operating.

 

If so, I stand corrected. Your pump may be ok.

 

I just fixed this on my '03 S 95K mi.

The PS Cooling Fan is situated at the rear bottom of the engine. A rather dumb design in my opinion as it picks up every stray dirt, salt and sand particle. In my case the fan seized which caused my PS Pump to heat up and burn out. A rather costly repair. Along with the replacement Pump and Fan assembly, I also purchased the Mini Mania PS Cooling Fan Ductwork Kit to prevent such nonsense from causing a major repair in the future. I would advise everyone with high-mileage Minis to check their fans and consider this part to prevent future issues. Its a small cost / easy install kit that could prevent a costly repair in the future.

~Boos

Edit: Though by no means experts in Minis, my local garage said that if I continued to drive the car with no PS assist, I could have caused major damage to the steering system. They said cars are not made to drive without PS so the parts aren't strong enough to operate without it these days. In my case as soon as I lost PS abruptly going over the mountains on my way home from work, I took it right to them and dropped it off. You may not want to continue driving it if you still haven't taken it into the shop. A new PS/fan install was costly enough, I'd hate to have to see you replace steering components as well :(

 

Isn't there also a little screen you can buy from Mini Mania to cover the fan? I was going to have this done next service.

 

Also, will anyone verify that the motor/fan is pretty whiney normally? I'm really noticing it when my windows are down. Since the whine changes pitch as I steer, I assume I'm hearing the motor.

 

There is, but that still allows it to suck air from directly beneath it. It does help block out some of the junk that gets sucked in, but not as well as the duct. However it costs half what the duct does. Aftermarket Fan Shield

Yeah, this may be a sign its about to die. I heard the same kind of whine when steering a few weeks ago. It started out of nowhere and then my pump died a few weeks later. It was louder with my windows down, but I could still hear it with them up. Your fan may already be seized. Check your fan rotation if you can get under your car. Look at the diagram on the duct pics to see where it is. Directly behind the back of the engine, about middle of the car. It may save you a few hundred to take it to a garage and tell them about this possibility...

 

Thanks, I'll do it and look into the duct kit. I need to change out my coolant soon so I'll have the shop take a look then. I just had an inspection done and no problems were reported.
This little car is going to get me back in church, isn't it?

 

I can't get under the car, but I will try to pick it up and shake it...

 

I had the same exact thing happen to me, except my fan didn't die, just the pump. I replaced the pump and the fan just to be safe. I then went to my local dump and found a bunch of all computers that have a 92mm cpu fan covers, chrome wire mesh, that screwed right in, perfect fit. It protects the fan from rocks, bags etc. The pump is the latest ZF type that is much quieter than the original. My cost for the pump was $348 w/ a $50 core charge. The fan cost me $95.68. It's a simple job if you have access to a lift, a little messy, but very do-able. One last thing, make sure you use CHF-11S fluid, when you change the pump. Anything else and you'll be buying a new pump very soon again.

 

That's a great low-cost idea! I guess the main issue is keeping larger stuff out of the fan, as its unprotected. This would work nicely as also the Mini Mania fan shield would. The only advantage to the duct is that not only is it cleaner air (sucking from the front as opposed to what the car kicks up as it passes) but it also forces more air into the fan for greater cooling effect. If you don't mind the extra $50 its worth it. But either of these above options work too. Never even thought to try using a PC fan shield. Great idea!

 

So this could have been the result of an old fashioned pump leak? I'm now hoping the whining sound of my PS pump may be due to low fluid levels, perhaps? I will check the levels as soon as it quits raining.

 

Does anyone have an OEM part number on this kit?

 

Not neccesarily. Mine's been sounding like that for the past 75,000 miles (since new). I have gotten used to that sound and am now quite fond of it. Many Gen 1 MINIs sound the same way (some don't).

 

The rain here finally let up. I reached under there today and found the fan, which turned freely and is unobstructed. It was really weird to find that little fan with NO GUARD just aiming into the street. I will definitely purchase either a guard or the kit discussed above. Crazy. I can't tell if the fan is actually running-is it the rather loud fan that kicks on occasionally? I also went to check the PS fluid levels, but I'm not sure I found the correct reservoir. Is it the little black, faucet shaped cover? I think this is right.

 

Note that you can save $$ on this by ordering the parts from a dealer like Morristown. Mini Mania really gouges. Not sure how they stay in business, actually.