I'm having the "hard to steer at slow speeds" problem with my 2002 MCS.

I had this same issue about 6-7 years ago and replaced the pump and fan with the latest version MINI parts. I had it in for recall 2 years ago and they said I already had the updated pump so all was good.

Now I'm having the hard to steer issue again so I assumed it was the pump again. After doing some reading I checked the 5a fuse in the footwell which was ok. I started the motor and turned on the AC, the low speed fan runs so that is ok. I tried checking for voltage at the connector on the pump motor but got funny readings. On 2 of the 3 pins I got slightly less that one volt and zero on the third pin. I'd check the 100a fuse under the engine fuse box but can't get to that one.


1. How do you access the engine compartment fuse? It doesn't seem like I have enough wire length to turn the box up side down to get at it.

2. Is the 1 volt readings I got at the connector correct or should I be getting a different number?


Last question, who has the best prices on a new pump? I'd rather get a new one than risk a rebuild.


I've had this car since 2003 and it only has 73K miles so I'm a bit surprised it failed again. Any ideas out there on why it failed?

 

Can you please be more specific as what is "hard to turn"? Does it feel like no power assist, or harder than normal to turn? Two very different things and must be very clear for proper diagnostic. Total power steering lost can readily identified as the car will be almost undrivable.

You said the same issue happened a 6-7 years ago. Was it identical in the degree of "hard to turn" effort?

You did not mention if you check the fluid level.

I do not recommend checking the voltage at the connector with a DMM, unless you understand what the signals are for. It is more than just a dumb motor.

If your prior episode "hard to turn" is not total lost of power steering assist, I suspect you may had replaced a perfectly good pump. It is possible the fluid return line restrictor is cogged. There are other many possibilities.

 

If you check all those and still points to a bad pump you can get an AAE one.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ailure-23.html

I would also check the steering column, mine was sticky and a few shots of oil bought some time:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-any-tips.html

 

Hard to turn the steering wheel when going very slow, think in a parking lot. Undriveable? Not to me, just a pain when going slow. Same symptoms as time before except the fan did not function then, it was replaced along with the pump.

Fluid was the full mark.

I agree with the voltage check. I will check the main power coming in, second plug on motor with the large gage wires.

With the motor running, no sound coming from the pump when turning the steering wheel. Should hear a "whine" which is the electric motor running. I assume the pump is load sensing and only runs when the wheel is turned. Usually the pump "whine" is easy to hear.

This is now my wife's fun car so I don't drive it very often. I have no idea how long it's been like this but I noticed the hard steering the last time I moved the car in the shop.

 

I also checked the u-joints at the end of the column and they appear to be fine. Keep in mind this car only has 73K miles and hasn't seen rain since 2005, strictly a sunny day driver.

 

I am quite sure the big plug with just 2 wire is +12V and ground for the pump. If you are not seeing 12V there then the problem is upstream including the fuse.

One subtle thing is if the alternator fails, the pump will be disable by the logic. You should check that the alternator is charging when the pump fail to assist. When alternator goes, it can become intermittent.

 

A quick follow up. I got 12v at the main power connector so it's the pump. I'm going to install a rebuilt pump and new reservoir plus high pressure side o-ring. I was lucky to get all the parts locally so no shipping for the core return. A little over $400 all in including new fluid. Should get it running for a test tomorrow morning. Thanks to all for the input.

 

For your sake, I hope you are right. For completeness sake here are two excerpts from the wiring diagram showing the steering pump inhibit logic should the alternator fails.

The yellow off-page wire is the signal from the alternator (generator) going into the power steering pump controller (steering control module).