This is my first post here. I came on friday to find a fuse legend and noticed no one had posted a few things re: this fix.

My wife drives a bone stock '02 S that I am fortunate enough to be able to repair. This is the first car that we will resell as opposed to passing along to one of our kids. We have always handed down cars when my wife got a new one but not Miss Mini.

Back to the issue.

In diagnosing this problem I found a few things Ive seen posted here and a few that I have not. First, The initial problem is that the Engine fan and the power steering pump fan are slaved off of the same relay, separate controls same relay. The fix is as many know the split harness trick. If you dog your lead tech at mini he will print it out for you.

Service bulletin # SI M32 01 04

Second, they do not know, (at shop level for the most part) about the fires. I tickled my fans at the relays and could not get it to heat up. Possibly a wear issue.

The replacment power steering pump has been drastically redesigned since 02. There is now thermal protection on the lead in, there are cooling holes in the motor cover on the fan itself and a rock guard to protect the blades.

The fan failing sounded just like the power steering pump running out of fluid. When the fan completely failed it caused the relay to temporarily isolate (wouldnt work) causing a total loss of power steering. Disconnecting the fan and allowing the relay to cool returned functioning power steering. Plugging the fan back in caused the relay to once again shut down and a loss of power steering. The second time I tried this the relay had had enough and would not reset. New relay, problem solved. This happened on friday and we drove the car all weekend with the power steering fan disconnected. At best I recommend this as a temorary fix. The weather was mild here and we didnt sit in traffic.

Upgrade replacement Power steering pump cooling fan # 32 41 6 781 742

Disclaimer: I dont recomend this!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In hot weather the radiator fan and the power steering fan can and do sometimes kick on together. The startup surge will blow the 5 amp fuse used by the factory for the control circuit. After the second time this happened I tickled them while testing amps and got more than 5. (2 years ago, I dont remember how much) I do know it was less than 15 as a 15 amp fuse would not blow. (Thats the part I dont recommend) Still under constant draw with both fans running I could not get a rise in loom temps as measured with a laser thermometer.

 

I have a 2004 MCS and the power steering just failed. All the fuses I test have power on both leads in the engine block fuse. On the cabin fuse box all are fine except one 5 amp on that doesn't have power on either leg and the fuse is fine.

Where did you unplug your relay? In the fuse block or under the car?

Some people report another fuse under the first fusebox. Do you have any idea wher that one is or if there is one?

Paul

 

a few months ago on a 100 degree day i was driving quickly up through a canyon and the power steering pump quit; the steering suddenly became super heavy and the steering difficult. i stopped for a few hours and then it was fine. i've noticed this has happened a couple of times in extreme heat. otherwise the steering is fine and the pump appears to be working although every so often i imagine that it is heavy feeling again. not sure if this is accurate or i'm just looking for it. my mechanic suggested that i replace the pump. really expensive: for an 03 cooper s = $428. is the lowest i can find with some searching. the list is $650. from the dealer.

as you are discussing the different variables i thought i would ask if you have any ideas about what needs to happen here. oh yes, i do have 97,000 miles on the car. thanks

 

Dont drive in extreme heat?

I think you can just replace the fan. Eventually the pump has to be changed. I only have 54K on mine.

Mine went out and is staying out. It wasn't extreme heat and there wasn't anything in the fan. The fan doesn't freewheel when I try to spin it by hand.

Does anyone know of another fuse actually being under the fuseblock that you get to into engine compartment by lifting the lid. Ther is only one bolt with a lead on it.

Thanks


Paul