(Note: putting in this forum because it gets more traffic than the convertible forum, and because it's a mechanical issue.)


Driving around with the top down today, noticed the car smelled "hot".

Not hot like an engine smell, not really hot like a clutch smell, slightly rubbery but more hot like burning wiring/capacitor.

I got home, threw open the hood, and sniffed around under the hood. Found the smell is definitely coming from this area in the bay:



A touch-and-feel reveals that the battery connection in the bay is pretty warm, and this connection is downright hot. I have no idea what temp is normal operating range, but they seemed to be too hot.



Probably completely unrelated, but when I looked under the car I noticed what appeared to be evidence of 2 small leaks. One around this bolt:



And evidence of blow-back/leak on this (power steering pump, right?):



Car details, to help in the troubleshooting:


• 2005 MINI Cooper S convertible
• Dinan Stage 5 install
• 53K miles
• no CEL, no rough-running condition, nor any other evidence other than the odor that anything is amiss.

Thoughts?

 

(Possibly) eliminated as the culprit: power steering fan. It comes on, spins quickly/normally/freely with the A/C set on "hi".