Got a weird problem and wanted to know if anybody has experienced this. After driving my 02 MC w/ 74k miles on it the other day after I turned off the car, removed the key, and noticed that the engine was still whining. Sounds just like it does when turning the car's steering but only lower in intensity. Also, it never stopped and drained the battery.

Some other posts sound similar to this problem but not when the car is completely turned off. Sounds like the power steering pump to me but wondering if anyone could confirm or deny this assumption. Also, if it is the P/S pump is there an after-market one (not $700) and is there a DIY guide anyone knows off....

Any advice is appreciated, just sent the IRS a nice check and hoping this issue doesn't ruin the summer vacation plans.

 

may be one of the radiator fans

 

Actually I was going to guess power steering pump fan. Could you jump the car to recharge the battery, put the car up in the air a bit and see if that's still running?

 

We jumped the car and I drove it to recharge the battery. Unfortunately, I had to go to Kansas on business so it's currently at the airport with the battery cable undone so I can start it when I return home Thursday night....

which fans should I look at when i get back..I'm trying to figure this out so with luck I can fix it this weekend... i hope

 

Did anyone find a cause/solution to this? I had the same trouble last night. Car sitting with battery cable undone.

 

error/15690

 

'02, Hardtop, non-S

 

it's whining because it wants you to keep driving it...

(could be the cooling fan - does it eventually shut off?)

 

No, keeps running until the battery is dead!

 

The pump (PS I believe) stays on whining after the ignition is turned-off and keeps running until the battery is completely drained.

 

If anyone is interested and has this same problem this was my solution:

I ended messing around with this problem for about a month. After a lot of research I determined it was one of two possible problems: A-there is a computer module inside the pump that has a tendency to go bad on the 02 Cooper's around the 75k mark or B-there is a relay built inside the pump that has a tendency to get stuck open thus causing your pump to continously run and drain your battery.

Either way your power steering pump needs to be remanufactured or replaced.

Also found out that if you get one of the super pricey pumps from Mini ($600-700) there are not actually new. They're remanufactured as well. I called all over the country looking for a new one or reman'd one but had no luck.

I was going to replace the pump myself but after jacking up the mini and finding all the parts/hoses I was a little unsure I could get it re-installed.

I ended up finding a local shade tree mechanic who removed and re-installed my pump for $150.

I had him send the p/s pump off to BBA Remanufacturing in MA. They reman'd it for $200 plus shipping. They say 1-2 days turn-around but it really took them 4 days. After my new mechanic re-installed it we found out I had shorted out the battery by continuously removing the negative battery cable for several weeks. So that was an extra $100.

Only plus was that all in all it cost me $550 which is still lower than just the part from Mini. Pain in the butt problem but it seems to be EXTREMELY prevelant for the 02 mini's. Sorry if this was more than you were looking for, but it seemed the best solution for me. Good luck to you.

 

It's prevalent on MINI's across the board. My '05 had a failed pump. It seems to be mileage. As MINI's climb towards the triple digits, failures begin.

 

Just out of curiosity, does the PS pump always stay on when this happens, or can you get it to turn off if you recycle ignition once or twice?

Don

 

+1 Power steering pump

I had the same problem on 2004 mini one

 

anyone have the issue show up and at the same time have the car no longer turn over? my ps pump is whining after shut off but my car also won't start.

 

It is the power steering pump. The power cable is always hot, it isbturned on by closing the ground circuit inside the module. The brushes inside the motor create metal dust. The dust then rests on the control module main board. Eventually causing a short to power keeping the pump running until the battery dies. They all do it at some point. Its the nature of the design. Replace the pump, fill it with fluid and get 70k+ out of it. There is an extended warranty on certain minis. Contact your local dealer to see if yours is covered.