Okay so lost power steering, nothing new I'm word of mini so I read but previous owner seems to have replaced pump. I have been testing wiring before I spend money and at 2 prong plug have correct power and ground at 3 prong plug I have power at green wire but at yellow I have nothing with the car running (which to my understanding is alternator) could anyone tell me if I am supposed to have a constant power there? I have tested continuity from yellow to red/yellow and wire is good. Any help on this darn yellow wire would be AWSOME!!

 

The ps pump shuts off if "senses" the alternator is not outputting voltage....so make sure the alternator is good.

 

So I had the alternator tested today and said everything was good.. but still no power at the yellow wire but I jumped the wire with a hot but still no pump. Or it is not a constant hot from alt. To pump?

 

it may be a signal wire of some sort, it may either be sending or receiving signals, usually some digital signal or sin wave of sorts, hence no real voltage coming out of it.

i would recommend Against slapping random wires with voltage... you could cook something somewhere else.

 

Try checking voltage with it plugged in, back probing the wire for voltage with key on. If it is a 'controlled' voltage on that wire it is very possible the 'controller' doesnt send the signal if it senses no resistance and/or in this case infinite resistance as a way to protect said 'controllers' against excess amperage or voltage spikes etc.

Reread your voltages by back probing with everything connected to get accurate real life readings.

 

Thanks for the replys ill check with it plugged in and see what I get, and post my findings

 

Just got done testing and on 2 prong i have (red) 12.22v and also tested ground which was good also. At 3 prong plug, pin 1 was 12.21v and pin 2 (yellow) from alt. Was 13.46v with car running and all testing back probing with them plugged in. Numbers sound okay? I read someone was getti.g 15v off alt. At yellow wire. Is mine to low causeing the pump to not run? Or bad pump?