Hey'all...

I have a question that I'm sure has been discussed before.

I have an '03 and the power steering fan circuit and the coolant fan circuit are wired together, right? The build date was 12/6/02, and I believe the circuits were split beginning with the '04's. I want to split the circuits so that the dreaded engine overheat won't happen if the power steering fan blows.

I called MINI USA and they said there were no recalls or TSB's on this subject. I called the local MINI dealer and they said the same thing, but I KNOW others on this board have had their circuits split on early model MINI's, and I think I read a while back that a particular dealer did it and was very aware of the problem/procedure.

I need some info on this topic, because I am not going to just "forget about it", as the tech has advised me. I want to tell them the TSB number, procedure number, or whatever, so I can offer some additional guidance in getting this done.

I was ready to install the power steering fan cover, but I thought I'd try this route first. Thanks for your help....

 

Actually I'm almost positive that the split was made prior to Jan 03, and I am definately positive it was made before the MY 04 launch...

 

From the Faults and Fixes forum "Post your service bulletins sticky"

SI M 32 01 04
Steering and Wheel Alignment June 2004
Technical Service

SUBJECT
Power Steering Pump Cooling Fan Activation

MODEL
Manual transmission vehicles produced from the start of series production through December 2002.

R50 Cooper
R53 Cooper S

CAUSE
Power steering pump cooling function has the same circuit protection with auxiliary engine cooling fan (fuse 05). Internal corrosion or external blockage of the power steering pump cooling fan may cause the fuse (F05) to blow, causing an inoperable auxiliary engine cooling fan.

CORRECTION
In case of a customer complaint only, the wiring for the power steering cooling fan can be modified to separate it from the auxiliary engine cooling fan circuit protection.

 

Ok, then does this TSB only apply to those MINI's with manual transmissions only?

I have a CVT so if that is the case then this would not apply to me .

 

The service guys at NW MINI in Tacoma know about this, I had to do the split. You could give them a call. 253-284-6464

 

Well..... this is a strange one.... got my wife's car home (via tow truck) after the fan stayed on all night and ran the battery down. Started messing around with things... jumper cables on it so I have power, I removed both relays that have a fan pictures (R3 & R4) and removed the 30 amp fuse that has the picture of the fan... the dang thing continues to run anyway...... Unplugged the main power to the fan and of course it stops, but plug the power back in and it starts up again...

All of this with no key in the ignition, let alone running or hot. There is obviously another path for power besides the path through the relay and the fuse. New Country Mini service department in Hartford called me back and says it sounds like the controller on the fan, but of course no real advice from them unless I bring it in for full diagnostic service... 50 miles away and not under warranty anymore at 65,000 miles.

Anyone have any advice for how to narrow and identify the real cause so I can consider replacing parts myself?

Thanks,
Lloyd

 

I just had my circiuts split last month on my black car (04/2003 build, 6-speed) I now have what I think is the "later model" PS fan, as it has it's own grille. The fan also runs for a little while after shut down.

 

well. something's awry somewhere: i have a september 2002 build 2003 MCS. after asking for the split circuit update, i was told that my car DID have the latest circuit.
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