ok, I found a connector hanging down under my car a few weeks back...I determined it was the PS fan connector (with some help here). dropped the fan to find it not spinning/jammed, so I ordered a replacement and installed it. no idea why is wasn't connected, but the connector did look damage on one side.

I want to find out if my fans (S1 , S2 and PS) are working now, so I drove around a bunch but only got the water temp up to mid 190's (scan gage 2) so no fans came on (which I think is normal, right?). my ac does not work (never has since a fire required a new wiring harness...ac was the only thing they could not get working) so I can't turn it on to see if anything happens.

I wired a 12v battery to the fan connector and it comes on when I hit the upper POS connector, but nothing happens when I touch the lower POS connector as shown in the pic. When the main fan comes on with the upper POS connector, it does not initiate the PS fan too. I let it run for about 15 seconds or so and nothing.
What is this all telling me?

- Which stage fan is working? How to tell?
- Should PS have come on with upper POS connector activated?

Bottom line, how do I see if all of my fans are operating properly?

Thanks for any insights / help.

 

If your trying to determine if the PS pump cooling fan is functioning....just start the MINI and turn on the AC.

The PS pump cooling fan will come on as will the low speed fan for the radiator.....Will prob have to do a visual as the PS fan is not that loud...

PS: R53 owners have to check this fan every time they perform an oil change...free spin with finger and check for a gritty rotation.....if it feels gritty, or difficult to spin, remove it, blow some WD40 though it to clean it out....I believe the two nuts are 13mm ?

 

With Engine on, AC on, the high speed fan should go on and off sporadically ....But that stage 2 fan doesnt kick in until coolant reaches 225*

Also, after you clean out the PS Pump Cooling fan or replace it, make sure the old fan didn't blow the fuse for it !....Often times when the fan gets plugged up it trips the fuse located in the panel on drivers side by your left foot..

 

Thank you for the info and replies.

The AC does not work / isn't connected so I don't have that option...wish I did.
No fuse issues anywhere either...checked them all.

Something you said...:"with the engine on" sparked an idea...
I did not have the engine on or the ignition in position 2 (the key was not even in it) when I tried to power the lower positive connector.

Ill check that first and then if that does not work, I have the temps that should initiate the fans...guess I will just have to go drive around until I reach those temps.
The car is pretty low, going to be difficult to determine if the PS fan is working without the car jacked up.