I just took the MINI for a drive and stopped at the store by my house on the way back. When I took off, I noticed that the steering was VERY heavy so I thought I had a flat. The tires were OK, so I limped it home - a few blocks. Anyway, there is no whine noise so I am assuming that the pump and/or motor is bad or maybe just a blown fuse. I've had it in Crevier a few times for the clicking noise in the steering, which they said is "normal" but I've heard otherwise. So what say yee?

 

Check the fuse first, I lost mine once but it was an easy fix. Hope thats all it is.

 

I've had it happen to me twice. The first time it was the steering pump and a few weeks after that was fixed the steering motor burned out.

 

There are two fuses - a smaller 'control' fuse in the top of the underhood fuse panel, and a 100 amp (yes) fuse underneath that same fuse box that requires the fuse box to be unbolted, turned over and a small cover popped open to access. This fuse is not likely to blow, however. There is a big red wire plugged into the bottom of the fuse box that can get dislodged, and there have been problems with the steering wiring harness. Most likely the problem is with the pump itself.

 

The click is normal if you can say that, more like a usual abnorality....the steering colum bushings are bad...the dealer fix? replace the steering colum....I found that if you dont like the answer from one dealer, find the next closest & in my case, fixed everything including things I didnt even know where bad!

 

Just replace my pump, well Chad at Detroit Tuned did. Pump would cut in and out. Sounded like it was over loading then would just stop. Chad said to me he is noticing a dark gray metalic in powerstering fluid, on pomps that have gone bad.