Not Again..... :( - Cannot find what's wrong
 

Hi,

When I switched off the engine of my MCS 2005 I noticed a strange, almost mechanical sound coming from under the hood. It seemed that something was still spinning. Before I knew it, the battery was drained. Next day I jump-started it and started driving the the MINI dealer to get it checked. My engine was overheating so I had to stop, left it overnight. The next day I thought I will give it another try, drove it under 2,000RPMs and go the the dealer without overheating. Dealer said my cooling fan was faulty. After that was replaced, everything started working normally. BTW, I did mention to them that I experienced periodical power steering failure, they checked it could not find anything wrong with the pump or pump fan. Since the cooling fan replacement power steering did not fail.

Just a week later, exactly the same issue again!!! I switch off the engine, something is still spinning.. my guess is it's the cooling fan. I am completely lost, have no clue what's happening...

Another thing to mention, I recently changed pulley to ALTA 15% and belt. I hope it is not causing any problems??? I am not really a crazy driver.. a little spirited at times, but who can blame me for that...

Please help if you have any idea what can be wrong.. and I don't think MINI dealer will know either...

Thanks!!!!

Sounds like another case of the power steering fan. See if any fuses or relays are bad. The only two items that come to mind that run after the MINI is off are that and the electic fan (which you already had replaced).

Does it keep running or shut off eventually (before the battery runs out)? I had a similar problem - overheating, engine cooling fan not working - and after I got the fan replaced my mechanic told me the fan may run for a bit after I shut off the engine. Mine doesn't really run as such, but I hear it still spinning when I turn off the engine. It stops within a few seconds though.

I am in south florida so right now it is getting hot during the day. After my 30-50 min drive home after work the cooling fan will sometimes run for one or two min after I turn off and lock the car.

Cooling fan never stops for me... runs until killed the battery completely, even alarm did not work. It's frustrating because it was just replaced!

I haven't dealt with this problem before. My fan has run after shut down before but eventually shuts off. It sounds like a relay problem to me. I'm just throwing an idea out there.

Have you looked under the hood to locate what is running exactly? If your radiator fan is running and not shutting off, the relay is located under the hood in the fuse box by the ECU. There is a row of four white relays in the center. The engine cooling fan relay is the second one from the firewall. Your powersteering fan relay is a bit more difficult to describe but it's located in the panel next to the drivers left foot.

I hope this helps.

Chad

I forgot to mention I had a problem with my fan running for a long time after I shut off my old '02 MCS on hot days. It was always my suspicion the relay was the issue, but I never got around to replacing it. The solution was just to turn the key to the on/accessory position. The fan would then stop running and stay off.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...olution-5.html

Possible issue. Thread does show position of fan relay in fuse box.

02/03 have different relay location.

Bob

Just got back from the MINI dealer. It is the power steering pump that apparently needs to be replaced. Interesting thing, my extended warranty company is refusing to replace power steering pump saying that the "power steering pump motor" is bad and it is not covered, while hydraulics are covered by the warranty. It's funny because warranty contract says that "power steering pump" is covered, so they can't just pick and choose what components of the pump they can fix. Any thoughts on this, who has experience dealing with warranties... It's about $900 on the line here!!! I could use it for tinted windows, air intake, or Invidia Exhaust!

The warranty company may argue the power steering pump back-and-forth because (I believe) most all vehicles use a mechanical one. The MINI PS pump is considered an electrical device. Beyond this argument, though, if the words "power steering pump" appear in the clause, they have to cover it. If they refuse to do so, go see a lawyer.

Yes, it worked!!! They had to realize that there are two kinds of pumps :impatient:

Glad to here it was cleared up. :thumbsup:

Nice!!! Congratulations!!!:thumbsup: