A really exciting steering pump problem that I can't figure out
 

Hi all,

I was hoping that I could get some help with a problem that I have been working for the last 2 days.
After my power steeering pump went up in smoke and odds smells I replaced it and also got a new fan for it as well.

I haven't been able to get the pump or the fan to start working, Ive checked all the fuses FL4 (replaced), F41, F39 (replaced), F8....in fact I've had so much trouble I pulled each individual fuse and checked it, I've done this twice.

I've checked for power at the appropriate places, big 2 wire connector 13 volts with engine started, none with it off, continuity with the ground on negative, no continuity with ground on the live side
3 wire connector shows no power with ignition off, when I start the car each leg shows 12-13 volts
Oddly I haven't been able to get the connector for the fan to show any power at any time but haven't been able to figure that one out.

I feel like there must be something simple that I am missing here, from what I can see the condition of the wires all look acceptable unless I am missing something. Does anyone have any ideas that could help here, I am at my wits end trying to figure this out and I am already 900 dollars into this.

Thank you so much

Bump....

Nobody has any ideas?

The alternator must be functioning for the pump to turn on....
Next just check the grounds...sounds like you have some power...but without a ground, nothing will happen. Sounds like you got a new pump....it is mostly selfcontained besides power, and a sense wire to see the alternator is outputting volts....beyond a ground, and good fuses....not much beyond a harnesses to look at.
Good luck!!

The connector to tge fan should only be powered when the computer turns it on....think the specs are radiator fan on hi with about a 15 second deley or "when needed"....
could be getting power from 2 different places depening on age of car...mini redesgined the wiring for it for 2005, some early cars were modified...older cars ps fan power came from the same scource as (i think) the relay that turned on the radiator fan...issue...if the fan jammed on the ps fan....the fuse blew, and no power to tge relay to turn on the rad fan...rewire took power from the same fuse as the optional backup sensor in the car.

The ps does have a fuse...hidden in the hood fueses...if i remember right others must be moved to get to it.
What year is the car?
New or renuilt pump?

HI Zippy
Thanks for replying.
I'm sorry I forgot to put the year model down it might have helped here. The year is a 2003 s model. It is a new pump not a rebuilt. Unless there is a fuse that I haven't tried yet (I'm hoping this is the case) then all the fuses should have checked out good.
Can anyone tell me if there is a relay somewhere that could be responsible for it not turning on?
I'll check the large 2 wire connection tonight, I've heards that it is usually the culprit if it is a wiring issue. Do people ever have problems with the smaller 3 wire connection ( the sense wire?)

THank you so much

I wanted to give everyone a status update just in case this happens to them.

I decided that I needed to pull the main power cord ( 2 connector ) and give it a good inspection. I doscovered that everything was fine with it..... I also took the opportunity to take a mirror and inspect the connections on the pump itself. I found that on the 3 wire connector 2 of the connections had been bent in and were not making contact with the plug. I pulled the pump ( again ) and bent the connections back out. Reinstalled the pump and its working like a champ.

I have not been able to verify the PS fan is working. Is there any way I can make that thing turn on so I can verify operation?

If you just apply 12 to the plug, the fan will run...
Fan does not run lots....barely have heard mine, but if i sit long enough for the 2nd stsge (hi) of the cooling fan to turn on (without ac), it seems to turn on when it does....herd it does so with a 15 sec delay, and "when needed". Just check the fuse normally used for the optional backup sensor in the car...if rewired, this is the fuse it runs off off...if fsctory wiring, unmodifed pre2005, then it gets power from the rad fan fuse.

the 03's are covered by a special warranty for the power steering. I just had mine replaced last week by the local dealer at no cost to me.

Tony, Do you have any info on that special warranty for the 03,s. I have an 03 S and the power steering pump stopped working months ago. Just have been driving without any power steering. Thanks Gary

I think this poster MIGHT be in Canada...
There was a recall that did give some owners there some extra chances to get a PS pump repaired at no cost.

Power Steering Pump
 

yes I am in Canada, there was a special warranty put on power steering pumps for the 03's in April of this year. 10 years or 200,000 Kms, it was full replacement of the Power steering pump, fan, etc. all at no cost to me.

Argh! It would have been very nice to have this recall on US vehicles too! My PS pump just started acting wonky and I'm planning on repairing it shortly.

yeah I wish! My 03' pump has gone out twice!

I checked mine the other day the fuse was blown I replaced it and turned the A/C on and heard a new fan noise i had never heard before, the fan is junk. That is also why i now have manual steering lol. Mine is an 04 so I am screwed.