My mini had the misfortune of the pump sticking on, until I could fix it, I installed a kill switch in the battery cable. That worked for a time while the pump was on order. The pump finally quit completely and the battery light came on at around the same time. I changed the pump, removed the kill switch, car starts fine, the battery light is no longer on, and the power steering does not work. My guess is that there is a connection somewhere in the wiring between the two as I don't believe in that kind a coincidence but, I have no clue where to look next.

Any thoughts or tricks on troubleshooting would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

 

Check your VIN and get the pump replaced for free under recall. Mileage doesn't matter on this one.

https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/

From what I could tell, the pump/motor assembly has that big thick red wire going to it, always live even with key off, fed by a 100 Amp fuse. The failure is on the internal controller board.

If you're sure the new pump is good, did you replace the 100 Amp fuse? It's under the main fuse box in the engine compartment, kind of a pain to get to.

 

Thanks for the advice everyone, so I found the 100 amp fuse, it was blown, so I replaced it, I have not idea what caused it to blow, but the battery light on the dashboard was off while that fuse was missing, now that it has been replaced, the light was off unless I stepped on the brake, it would light with the depression of the brake pedal then when I plugged in the power steering pump. Then it came on and stayed on. So now I am tired, and frustrated, and I don't have any more time to devote to it, spare or otherwise. So I am going to put it up for sale.

It has some partially repaired damage to the driver's door. The engine I put in it has about 30,000 miles on it. I just can expend any more time or energy on it.

thanks,

Steve

 

Hi Andy,

I did replace the fuse, and the yes on the red wire, it is always on. Is the internal controller board something I can get to and repair/replace?

 

Possibly, there are some old threads on here from before MINI owned up and finally issued the recall. But, not worth it if the recall is still open on your VIN. Is it?

The fuse probably blew because of the problems internal to the motor/pump assembly.

 

HI Andy,

I did check and there is nothing open on a recall for my car, I am just out of ideas and options.

Thanks for the response.

Steve

 

Similar issues, tried to get to fuse for pump, wrestled with the engine fuse box, gave up, put back together, and now the wipers run constantly, even with stalk in off position and the key NOT in the ignition. Checked the wiper relay fuses, they work, so have to pull 1 of 2 to get wipers to stop. Also, 2nd time power steering pump has failed...installed new in 05/2018. Car is Cooper S convertible R52.

 

Hello everyone, thanks for all the help and suggestions. I did replace the power steering pump but when it was having problems, the battery light came on and now that the fuse has been replaced and everything is back in and reconnected the battery light is back on. Is there something connected to that circuit that could be causing the power steering pump to not work? I am at a loss, and will probably sell the car now, I just don't have the time or money to deal with it.

 

Are you able to check the charge rate? I have seen posts from owners having PS issues only to find the Alternator was at fault. Let us know how you make out. Also I would post in the problem section as this issue is not specific to the JCW. Hope this helped.

 

Found this for you. https://www.mini2.com/threads/power-...e-help.255290/

 

I have replace the power steering pump, the 100 amp fuse, and the alternator.

The power steering still does not work.

I live in southern Oregon, Medford to be exact.

Does anyone know of a mini cooper mechanic that I might be able to find around here who won't be just experimenting at my expense, as I have been for the last several months, and actually be able to troubleshoot it and fix the problem, I now have about $500.00 into this power steering project with no success.

Thanks for all the help and advice, each of the items I have changed have needed to be done, but I am out of ideas.

Happy New Year everyone, be blessed beyond all measure.

 

It's Fixed!!!!!!!!!

So, thanks for all the help, and helpful suggestions, I finally Gave it up and took The car to "Northwest Auto Haus" I had replaced the pump, rebuilt the alternator, replaced the 100 amp fuse ($49.00 from bmw) thank you very much, with a $7.00 100 amp fuse from O'Reilly's wired in with some six guage wire. The thing still would not work, Auto Haus found 2 broken wires at the end of the day and everything works fine, finally. Since we bought this and from the new engine through all the rest of it, I now know lots more about the super charged mini than I ever wanted to but it is really allot of fun too. Blessings everyone

 

Congratulations!