I've searched threads and can't seem to find one that shows me a diagram/link of where the pump is. I see the reservoir, but can't see the pump from above. I need to pull it out. Do I get at it from underneath? Where is it?
Thanks

 

We have a detailed DIY write up for a power steering pump replacement. Click on the DIY or Troubleshooting reference.

 

Excellent reference. Thanks

 

Hey, I found a thread in mini2 about miniuk paying for the ps pump replacement because of the number of failures. I'm guessing no one on NAM has been successful with minusa about this?
I'm emailing them about it.

 

Please let us know how far you get with them! I have the same problem with my 04 power steering pump :(

 

No go with MINUSA. Parts wear out, they said.
I don't think I'm going to do it myself....I hate getting under a jacked up car. I think I've found a local place that handles MINIs and will try to work out a deal for them to take it out so I can mail it to Circuit Solutions Inc in Idaho to reman it, then have it put back in when I get it back. Seems total cost will be around $425 - $450 for reman'ing of my PS pump and labor. Best price scenario I can find. I can drive it for the 4 or 5 days without power steering.

 

Help!
My power steering works intermittently. When I start the car in the morning it is fine. But if I turn the car off and then restart shortly after that (like getting gas) the power steering does not work. If the car sit for an hour or so, the power steering will work again.
Any tricks or is it time for a new pump?
Thanks

 

First check the fluid level. This first happened to me and I was out of fluid. If that is ok, then yep, time for a new pump. They tend to die around 75k.
The dealer will charged you over $1000 to replace it (inc labor). There are cheaper options.

 

Yeah I had a no go from them too. Oh well, guess I will be without a vehicle til March.......can't afford to reman or replace right now (Yay layoff NOT).

 

You CAN drive your MINI without the PS pump working. Just disconnect the pump. You might want to get a mechanic to do it, you need to raise the car to get to it. But you CAN drive without power steering......it'll build your arm muscles.

 

specifically, how do you disconnect the pump?? Mine is draining the battery.

Thanks

 

Just so happens we just published an article on the 1st gen power steering system in the NAM Alliance Magazine. Click on the link below in my sig to download.

 

interesting.. my sister's MINI ps pump just went out yesterday.

Gnatster: I tried the issue, but I dont see an article on it. The august 2008 issue?
Edit: Nevermind found it. Your link was going to issue 3, needed issue 5. thanks so much for the info though.

 

Thanks for the heads up, fixed the link.

 

Just got my pump back from ModuleMasters/CircuitSolutions in Idaho. Boy it looks new again. I sent it to them really dirty/greasy/oily. Now I just have to get it to my local mechanic to put it in.

 

I came to this forum looking for info on my intermittant Power Steering problem. Mini of Mountain View didn't even hear me out - just said to have it towed in & have $1,500 handy. This only just out of warranty: IMHO this is a safety issue and they shouldn't be able to weasel out as a "warranty" problem - should be a mandatory recall. <End of Rant>

Anyway, it only occurs at long [months] intervals, and I'm 6'4" so I live with it.

BUT - I have discovered that all I have to do is pull over to the side of the road and shut the car off momentarily and back on, and the problem goes away. So it sounds like a "couple $$ relay problem" - not a huge mechanical replacement, and I was looking for a wiring diagram.

I hate to mention that the online magazine article didn't cover much - or maybe my problem is unique; or I may have stumbled onto something!

Anyway, that's why I'm here, posting.

Anyone have any ideas or diagrams??

Thanks, -Oly

 

hey you know i think mine's is down...i just bought some and here's a stupid question how do you know wether its low or not? I know when i removed the cap there were two looking lines, mine's was toward the bottom line, does this mean its low?

thanks

 

If you open the NAM Alliance Issue 5 in gnatster's signature, page 37 shows how to read the fluid level of the Power Steering.

 

The top line is the max, the bottom line is the min. It's a reservoir, so you're still good at min.

 

It is known that if the pump is overheating that allowing it to cool "fixes" the problem. In actuality you are just delaying the inevitable and demonstrating that you really do have a problem, at least with the fan, that will not go away. Your next "stumble" may be a total failure, as a punster might say.

Mine went and I'm having problems with the install (another story) any how, two possibilites for you and one danger.

One is that the fan is not going on and the pump is overheating. If you don't fix the fan the pump will eventually burn out. How to tell--start the car and put the AC on low. Your engine fan should go on and so should the PS fan. If the latter doesn't go on, get the ps fan fixed fixed before the pump goes. The second way is what you are doing, shut it down and if it works then the PS pump was overheated (the system is set up so that if the PS pump is interupted, even momentarily, the ps shuts down).

The second is worse because the module that controls the pump is inside the pump housing and can't be repaired. The pump will go all at once and you will be SOL if you are speeding around a bend or in traffic when it does.

I drove mine when the pump was out and although I am a big guy, it could very well take me by surprise.

Look here for good info from Bentley, publishers of the shop manual with the best diagrams:

http://tech.bentleypublishers.com/th...34469&tstart=0

There is also a REALLY bad scenerio--what happened to me. The PS pump caught fire and burned up. The main wiring harness got damaged and so did the ps tubing. The bill as we speak is about $5K and they still can't get the new pump to run. Thank goodness for extended waranty and comprehensive insurance that will cover all but $100. Howevr now it is 5+ weeks without my car.

I am lucky that the car did not burn up in my garage, where I put it after I washing it after a short drive that day. The mechanic thinks I put the fire out with the hose while I was washing it; I thought the white smoke was from water on the manifold--it was the PS pump burning to a crisp.

BTW, there are more than a dozen fires attributed to the PS pump shorting/overheating. Do a search here and then a google search. here are also comment of people who filed complaints. You did not give specifics about your year Oly, and so the url following is for 2003 cars, you can look there and find yours but the comments are similar year to year.

http://www.allworldauto.com/comments...89-2003-1.html

A word to the wise, as they say.

Good luck