I have a 2011 R60 All4, N18 engine. The radiator fan was not working, found that the wire had corroded, so replaced the fan. Thought the problem was solved, but it seems that was only part of the problem.

More details:

I have checked the relays - both high speed and low speed relays are fine (close when power applied, and switched with a new relay). The coolant temperature sensor is working (using the onboard display, the temperature starts at ambient, when it gets to 106C the high speed fan kicks in.) When it cools down, however, I get no speed fan to continue cooling the engine. When I jumper the low speed fan relay connection at the fuse box, I do get the low speed fan to operate (at low speed). I get no change in voltage at the low speed fan relay connection (to close the relay) when turning on the AC, or ignition. Unplugging the temperature sensor causes the high speed fan to run for about 6 minutes. Also unplugging the CTS causes the high speed fan setting to run with the ignition off, accessory mode and AC on.

Thoughts would be appreciated - it seems that something is not telling the low speed relay to close. (I am not an expert, as well)

 

I had a similar problem with my 2015 MINI Countryman S. The fan was not running on low speed. Instead, the high speed would cycle on and off. The entire fan assembly needed to be replaced, not just the fan itself. The OEM part alone runs over $500. My R53 2003 MINI Cooper S had the same issue too.

 

To clarify a bit, I replaced the fan as well as the integrated three pole plug, large integrated resistor, etc. That part of the system seems to work - from the relay box to the fan I can manually get the low speed fan, just no low speed fan to come on automatically (either at the beginning, or more concerning to me after shutting down the engine (wondering about the turbo cooling). It did work correctly a couple of months ago.

Thanks!

 

Your countryman had the same problem? My 2016 countryman S appears to be doing the same thing as my R53 did. I rigged the R53 with a Arcol inline resistor but never thought it could happen again to my countryman with 24,000 miles.I just thought I was being overly concerned.
Did you use a resistor or did you replace the fan unit with the resistor buried inside?
thanks

 

Bryan And,

did you every fix your problem with the fan ?
Thanks

 

It never got fixed, and I ended up trading it in for a pickup. The replacement fan unit (the whole assembly, including the new resistor) would work fine, but something was not telling the low speed fan relay to close. The problem led to the AC failing, so at that point the list of problems resolved (thermostat housing, HPFP (warranty, fortunately), emissions stuff, clutch and fly wheel, etc.) and parts to be fixed (air conditioning, and no doubt the turbo since it had just past its ten year extended warranty) were way beyond the fun of the car. I saw a separate threat about a known issue with a thing that triggers the AC unit (cannot remember specifically now) but mine was a few weeks outside the magic range of that extended service period.

 

Thank You for taking the time to reply.
I noticed my 2016 Countryman was doing the same fan run on after shut off that my 06 MCS did, even after driving in only 40 Deg F weather, once I got back to to my heated garage. The 06 Low speed resistor was bad as everyone's was but was not expecting this problem with the later 2016 MC models. Yesterday I checked the stage I and II fan operation at the relay and they both worked fine. BUT what I did notice is the sound of the stages was almost the same unlike the 06 MCS where the low was inaudible and the high was a loud roar. So I think I was just hearing the low speed fan( and yes it does come on with the AC on) causing me to be concerned .
It is a shame we have to give up these great little cars because of the headaches.
Tom