OK,....I've searched thru lots of threads,..cant find exactly what I'm looking for. I'm not having any problems, but I would like to know the operation conditions needed for the P/S cooling fan to operate...does it run all the time?..[havent looked to see if it does]..is it temperature controlled/thermoswitches?/relay/timers?....just was curious to know, so I know what to watch for....

thanks,
Steve

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co....php?p=1817550

Cheers,

Charlie

 

RE: MINI 2003 - R53 Power Steering fan proper operation. Is not running when car on.

I checked all previous threads on issues with regards to MINI's Power Steering fans, mine is down to the wire on a 90 day warrany from non Mini dealer - and she is going in on Tue for unrelated matter;

Do they operate off a thermostat switch and only come on as needed ?

or

Do they come on with ignition start up, to run 24/7 ?

Thanks for the help.

 

Charles,

In regardst to this thread, What does the A/C have to do with the Power Steering pump exactly... why would turning on the A/C make the power steering pump fan initiate ?

That is what the thread states. Maybe this is why the pumps are failing, they should be rigged up to run all the time ?

In my day I have heard/seen some dumb **** manufacturer's designs before but this one take the cake !

 

The PS fan comes on when the low speed function of the cooling fan comes on. This is determined by engine temperature. The AC increases the engine temperature, thus causing the fan to engage. When the temperature decreases the fan disengages.

 

Comes on when the low speed cooling fan comes on.

 

What's the easiest way to get the low speed cooling fan to engage to test to see if the power steering fan spins?

Thanks.

 

Bought this R53 used with 55,000 mi. two months ago. And after oil change Saw that the PS fan housing was grimy and that the fan spun like it was full of sand.....

Drove the car up on Rhino Ramps and removed the fan's housing bolts with a SAE 1/2 socket ( YUP ~ SAE 1/2" Fits tighter on any 13 mm nut on MINI's) I cleaned it up with some WD40 and a rag, replaced and it, started up the car and it didn't come on. I was not sure if the fan's bearings heated up and cooked the elect motor, or if the PS fan was thermostatically controlled.

So I entered a post here and got no immed response.

So I checked the 5 A fuse behind the panel next to drivers side left foot well. Found a blown fuse, and the spare 5 A was gone too. So it must have blown before.....

Fired up the car, turned on the A/C which automatically turns on the High speed Engine Cooling fan, and about 30 seconds later........I thought my girlfriends cat got caught up in the serpentine belt

The PS Fan was making the most terrible racket one could only imagine. Must be bad bearing(s) for the fan I guess.

Was this fan an afterthought or something ? Or, purely the end result of German barley and hopps intoxification

Either way, not much thought went into its design, placement or inherint climatic hazzards. One of my 7 yr old twins could have done a better job with an eraser board and markers

 

You can just start the car and let it warm up. You can see and hear the low speed cooling fan come on. The PS fan should come on at the same time. It will go off as soon as the cooling fan stops. Turning on the AC speeds up the process.

 

Hahaha! You're analogy rules. However, it's more like the end result of English fish and chips without the malt vinegar.The power steering pump and fan are a Rover holdover. BMW switched it out with a fully electric power steering pump unit in the current MINI (R56).

 

The new electric unit looks similar to the old unit, but without a new manual it is impossible to know what mods would be needed to make it work on the 02-06 MIMI.

 

So now the German's are taking lessons from this loser SUV company whom now has to make their trucks in INDIA ? It just keeps getting better and better

Cheers, Pass the Beer Nuts !