I have been having intermitant power steering problems for the last few days and it totally died the other day.

So, the power steering has come back to life.

Last Thursday I was heading home from work on Germantown Road here in the Portland, Oregon area. I am not going fast as it was wet and I really don't want a tree shaped dent in the front of my car. Anyway, I am coming out of a turn and the engine dies, stalls out, when I depressed the clutch to change from 2nd to 3rd. Lucky for me that was done in a short straight. I dump the clutch and the motor starts right up again.

On Saturday, heading to the Duck game, no issues like that, but the Check Engine light comes on for about 1 second and goes out. No other issues or noticeable issues with the car. When we arrive in Eugene, when I pull in to park, the steering dies briefly and the puts a huge strain on the motor as it almost dies - which is strange because as we all know the two are only connected by a wire or two. After the game, PS is back no issues. On the way home, the brake light comes on for about a second and goes off. I am on I5 at the time and traveling at about 70 mph. Brake handle is obviously not in use.

Could the PS pump with it's silly fan issues cause this kind of electrical gremlin or do I have a larger electrical system issue.

Thanks,
Craig

 

Have you been able to pull any codes? Maybe stop by a auto parts store an have them put a code reader on for a look. Most do for free.
What year is your MINI ? Good luck.

 

it's an 2004. May try to get the parts store by my office to pull codes. Thanks.