2002 MCS: A few posts ago I wrote about replacing my dead radiator cooling fan assembly. I had done the resistor upgrade a year or so ago but when it died again I attributed it to 156K on the car. I checked the fuses and relays that had a fan Icon marking and they were fine so I replaced the whole fan assembly. The new fan didn't work. Upon closer inspection I didn't see a poorly marked F5 5 Amp fuse in the engine compartment. Instead of a fan it has an engine block with a lightning bolt as the symbol.

After replacing the F5 fuse the new assembly worked fine and once again the a/c blew ice cold air.....for two weeks. On Saturday the a/c started blowing warm and the green LED switch light was once again flashing. I checked Fuse F5 and it was blown again. I replaced it and it worked fine for 1/2 hour. At a traffic light with the a/c on once again warm air and as expected I found the F5 fuse blew.

If we assume the radiator fan assembly is not the problem where can I find what this fuse is linking. BTW the power steering fan spins freely but I don't know if it works or ever worked but the power steering has always worked fine.

The 5 amp fuse most likely is powering a relay somewhere. I need suggestions where to find the relay.

Thanks for your help. My new Bentley manual should be arriving by Friday.

 

Try unplugging thr ps fan? See if it blows again. If not, just replace the ps fan....water gets past the seals, and gets into the bearings/motor, destroys them. Kinda sure that is your issue.

 

Here are couple of diagrams you may find helpful before your shop manual arrives.

I think you meant fuse "F05", not "F5". F5 is in the car - F05 is under the bonnet. There are two different diagrams: one for 2002 models up to December, and one for 2002 December to 2003 March. This is the diagram for the up to December models.

 

I also suspect the PS fan is blowing that fuse.

 

Thanks for your p/s fan suggestions. I removed the fan from the car but I have t had the opportunity to test it with 12v. It does turn easy enough and feels solid. Today I made a 300 mile trip in the car without the fan. Ice cold air the whole day and no blown fuse. I'll test the fan with 12 v with a 5 amp fuse to confirm that it's the problem. In one of the other discussion threads someone found an aftermarket weatherized fan that bolts up perfectly for $80.00. Mini wants 198.00 for theirs.

Thanks for the suggestions

 

My new power steering fan will be here on Tuesday. Running without a ps fan I put 500 miles of interstate and city driving in 90 degree temps. The fuse never blew again. Yesterday I bench tested the old fan and put a 5 amp fuse in line. The old fan runs perfect and spins freely when not powered up. After testing the fan I reinstalled it to test again. Within 1/2 hour with ac running in stop and go traffic the fuse blew.

Could it be the a/c overloading the circuit?
Maybe a malfunction expansion valve or something?

 

Everything still points to the suspect- PS fan.

 

Last Saturday I should have used a 2amp fuse in my test. Regardless I'll put the new fan in on Wednesday to see if that resolves the circuit overload.

I'll provide a follow up after I test drive the new fan for a day or so.

Thanks for the responses.

 

Update: I located a Spal power steering fan at Advanced Sport Vehicles on sale for $50.00 shipping was $20 so I'm in at $70! Mini was $200.00. The fan fit perfect. Had to splice the old connector on to the new fan wiring. Other than that all is working well for the past few days.

The real test will be in 95 degree temps sitting in traffic. That's when the old one was failing

 

I've been having the exact same experience on my 2002 Mini Cooper. 5amp fuse continually blowing, even after replacing radiator fan assy. After reading this thread I decided I better look at the ps fan again. Just unplugged the ps fan and seems to have done the trick. not blowing the fuse now. The ps fan appeared to turn freely so didn't think that was the issue. Probably the first thing to check. Could have saved me some money.
I'll replace the PS fan and update with the results.