I have a 2003 Mini Cooper. This is my first time posting. I took my MC to a BMW dealer for an oil change. The technician dropped a shop rag down front of the engine compartment. A week later my Power steering stops running due to this shop rag jammed the power steering cooling fan. I have read on various sites that if the power steering fan gets shorted out by any debris a fuse blows and the EPS shuts down. Does any one know if this is true? I had the dealer order me a new fuse that had blown. This did not resolve anything. Now I had there technician trouble shoot this. He says the EPS is defective and needs replacing. He also says the fan be shorted out can not damage the EPS unit. I could really use some advice on this? It is going to cost me over $800 for the EPS then labour. They said this is ownly the first step and there could be more wrong. They are not a Mini certified centre yet (in 5 monthes). What next ?

 

The EPS fan in '03 and earlier cars shares a 5 amp fuse with the control circuit for the radiator fan. When the EPS fan seizes, it takes this fuse out and disables the main radiator fan. The car can then overheat in traffic with the engine running with no airflow over the car. The EPS fan does not come on unless the radiator fan runs in high-speed mode. This is really just a hack to prevent the superheated air from the exhaust system from being blown over the EPS unit during very high temperature operation. While the pump and motor generally fair well in the heat, it's the electronic modulator built into the pump that dies. There are two fuses for the EPS, one small control one in the underhood fuse box, and a 100 amp fuse mounted underneath that fuse box for the motor. Most likely both fuses are fine, since having the EPS fail from heat is a known problem. It's worth a check of these fuses first, then a check of the wiring and connectors at the pump and fuse box.

 

It seems to me that the dealership where the work was done should carry some responsibility. Welcome to NAM by the way

 

So would you say that you think this dealer has no blame for this failure in the EPS? Even though it all happened with them seizing up the EPS fan motor? It looks like a bit of a domino effect here. As you said the EPS failing is a known problem. It's a tuff call hear and I have a good relationship with this dealer.

 

If a technician dropped a rag in your PS fan and then your PS is all messed up, then it is 100% the dealer's fault. Regardless of whether they are a certified MINI center or not.

If a shop drops a brick through your windshield and it breaks the window, mirror, and puts a whole in the dash would it be your responsibility to fix anything? Absolutely not. It's the same concept, assuming I read everything correctly and you didn't have ANY part if messing something up.

 

I’m with MINI USA. I’m sorry to read about this issue with your MINI. If you would like our assistance, please phone us at (866) ASK MINI or email us at MINI.Assistance@askMINIUSA.COM and mention Reference #200707500690 so that we can help you more efficiently.

 

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A blast from the past!