I have combed through dozens of discussions on multiple websites; viewed many threads reportedly detailing where all fuses and relays are on the car. Yet, here I am, no closer to an answer because it seems everyone (of those I have read) skips this box. It is a lone relay on the firewall. Thing is, when it is plugged in, there is a noise coming from the engine bay constantly, like a pump running. The only way to stop the noise is the unplug the relay. I just got the car and it is a non-runner right now (it is a MESS), so I'm attempting to diagnose and therefore can't tell if this pump noise is a problem. It will obviously drain the battery in any case since it runs nonstop even with no key in the car.

I found one video that references it, but the creator claims it is on diesel only, which is obviously wrong.


And I found the box for sale on ebay, but they don't specify what it is for.


There are no markings on the one in this car to tell me what it is. I thought fuel or secondar air pump, but no discussions on those topics refer to this relay. Any help would be appreciated!

 

It really would help if you told more information about the car, what year? Cooper, Cooper S, JCW, etc, etc

However, I took a stab and looked for a N18 Cooper S.

Look at this link below. Go the section "Relays" and it shows the location of all the different relays.
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...Cooper_S&mg=61

Based on the location it would appear to be "Relay for Valvetronic"
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=61_3764

 

D’oh!! That would help, wouldn’t it?
2011 S hatch manual, so an R56.
Thanks for that site.
oddly, mine apparently has the R60 design box. I did say this thing is a mess. Someone really hacked it up.

Now the question is: why would the valvetronic be making noise when the car is off?