Might be low fluid, might be a wiring harness issue, might be the pump.....
The MINI uses a DC motor for the PS pump...just like a alternator, it is a bit of a wear item.....on others cars you have driven, it can be said with almost 100% they were mechanical hydrolic pumps...so changing the fluid will not help like it did with a previous car!
I would just bring it in, get it fixed....you don't want it to possibly start a fire....see the engine fire sticky!!

 

I'm at 95k on my '04 R50 and of course everything that can go wrong does. I had a automatic transmission line leak and pretty much all the fluid drained out of the transmission. I thought the leak wasn't very serious and I drove 300 miles. Right when I got home it started making some very very disconcerting noises and I immediately took it into a shop and got the lines replaced and new fluid filled up. Thankfully the transmission is ok now.

So anyway while it was there I needed an inspection and they had to replace a tie rod. I ordered the part myself and they replaced it. Two days after picking the car up the power steering is now dead. I've looked at the schematic and it looks like the tie rod isn't in any way connected to the power steering pump or control systems. But what I want to know is, could the mechanic have damaged the power steering system when replacing a tie rod?

If that's not possible my only other conjecture is that the leaking tranny fluid took out the power steering pump cooling fan under the car, maybe causing a short or clogging it up. And yes, there was that much tranny fluid, the mechanic showed me it and it coated the entire underside of the car. This also happened twice, as he refilled it once while we waited on all the parts so I could use my car.

So what seems more likely to you guys? Also if it did take that cooling fan out, how long could the pump survive without it? Are there any fuses I should check, the service manual doesn't seem to say.

Thanks in advance!

P.S. Checked the power steering fluid and it's at a normal level, so it's not leaking.

 

There are many threads on PS pump and fan failures on here,the dead fan causes the pump to go,i doubt it has anything to do with leaking fluid,just be thankfull you dont need a transmission.BBA-Reman.com rebuilt mine in a few days excellent service,you can get a new one from germanautoparts cheaper than OEM,and check the fan to see if it's working,start car turn on a/c full blast and the fan should kick in along with the radiator fan.Good Luck

 

Yeah in the interim I've been reading up. I just took it out for a spin and it's working again. Apparently from what I've seen on here it's a sign of the thing on it's way out.

And yes I am very very thankful I didn't need a new Transmission, ha ha. Of course I probably spent 700 to 800 dollars on the labor, hoses and tie rod. Of course, most of that was for the damn parts!

The best part of the whole ordeal is when I drove it off the lot and drove 5 feet only to have transmission fluid spray out the front grill. I turned it right around and the mechanic popped the hood had me power on the engine and transmission fluid shot 4 feet into the air. Apparently they messed the weld up on the front radiator when detaching the hoses. Fixed it for free obviously, but my mini looked like it had been murdered with transmission fluid everywhere.

Thanks for the advice. I'll check the fan. If the pump does go can you tie up the lines somehow when you remove it? In other words, can you still drive it while it's being rebuilt?

 

Yea but it's going to be freakin stiff.I read on another thread a guy removed the fan blade from the shaft and drilled two holes in it equally not to put it out of balance,the back is like a cup collects water etc and causes the shaft and bearing to seize up rather than the fan motor failing.You have to remove it to change PS pump anyways so take a look , it sounds pretty easy.

 

I recently was under my R50 and found out the fan was jamed and needed a little cleaning. Who knows how long it was out. The fan itself shouldnt have been bothered by the fluid. i had mine soked with oil and it survived. To test it you can take it out and hook it up too a car charger. Im assuming your pump is dead and its going to cost you about 200 to replace. Those fans are pretty bulletproof if you baby them though.

 

My ps fan is still good after 7 1/2 years. Sure my mileage is only about 71,000, but it is good to know that sheer age doesn't necessarily kill the fan. But I think the pump might be leaking, at the hose it seems. It is very slight - no drips, and simply moist dirt caked on the side of the pump.

 

I put down a (refundable) deposit on an '06 S model, and when I took it for a drive I noticed the steering was "hard", relative to every other car I've driven.

I didn't know about the typical PS problems until today, so should I demand that the dealer fix the PS pump before delivery?

Note - I don't know if the fluid's low, etc.... but if it will need replacing it might as well be now, eh?

FYI - 34K miles, so nearly out of warranty.

Thank you and I soon hope to "join the club"!

 

The MCS's steering feels heavier than many (most?) other cars'.

Or are you comparing it to other MCSs you've driven?

 

whatever's left on the 4/50 warranty should be transferrable so U may not have to demand a fix.

 

Ok - I was comparing it to non-MCS cars.

Because it's a dealer I am really dubious about the price I have already "nodded assent" to, but have not signed anything. Edmunds puts dealer retail with options at $16,7 and I'm paying $16,9. The dealer might have gotten as little as $12K in trade.

They're putting on two new tires instead of 4 and NOT doing the MINI NEXT cert.

Should I haggle a hell of a lot more? Appreciate the feedback!

 

I'd think twice before buying a used car from a dealer. For one thing, you won't know anything about the car's maintenance history. Secondly, as you point out, you'd be paying thousands to a dubious middle-man for dubious value-added.

I'd rather buy from an original owner who has all of the maintenance documentation. Review all of the records, try to size up the seller (ie, do you think he/she could have knowingly or unwittingly abused the car) and have a pre-purchase inspection done by a competent mechanic before signing anything.

 

Is this a MINI dealer selling the car? The MINI's steering is a lot different than a normal car and if you're not used to it, it may be wise to find a local MINI owner with experience to test drive it for you. The car should still be under warranty so the ps can be fixed, but I'd still try and get a couple of hundred knocked off the price. However, judging from your post, the steering seems okay. I say this because normally the pump will just go.

 

Sorry, should have specified - this IS a Mini Dealer!

Sandia Mini in ABQ, for what it's worth.

Oh, and here's the car: http://www.sandiamini.com/VehicleDetails/665300033
(this is the page I showed them when I arrived)

It is now posted on AutoTrader for $18,9

 

I'd at least complain about it and make them fix it before I bought it. For comparison, I bought my Mini from a private party. 2006 MC 5 speed, 44k miles, $12,500. Has leather, sunroof, 16" wheels.

 

That "hard" steering is part of what you are paying for! R50/53 MINIs have amazingly direct steering feel with a very quick ratio. They put all other FWD cars, including the R56, to shame.

 

Nice deal you got! This one has the premium package and the "convenience" package (with rain sensing wipers, etc).

I think I'll love the car, but just hope I didn't show my hand too quickly with this experienced sales dude.

 

wheel and deal to extend the warranty if you are concerned.....

in other words see how much they want to sell the car. You can call around and get extended war' prices to see if they still try to turn the screws to you. no car dealer is in the business to save YOU money.

you are at the front of a month and mid-quarter; a bad time to buy ... dealers are not desperate to reduce inventory but you might get lucky. how long has the car been on the lot? the longer the lower they will dig . . .

and maybe drive a new MINI or other used's on the lot to compare the steering . . .

 

Oh well, it finally happened. I went out to the car and the battery was dead. Realized with a little research that my PS pump finally bit it. I feel pretty good that it lasted 157K. I unplugged the thing and now I'm running manual steering. I'm thinking of unhooking the AC and cutting a few wires so it's more like the Triumph I used to own. Ya think it's a good idea??

 

Triumph.... that's funny! How is the steering without the electric?

 

sounds like my eclipse: AC when it's below 75F (otherwise incessant squealing and loss of power steering), otherwise power steering usually squealed and/or felt like it was surging now and then... not to mention I think the steering was better when the tank was empty, but that led to more belt noise...

 

Turned out my fuse for the power steering in the passenger compartment was blown. I just replaced it, so far so good. If the fuse was blown why would the pump even work intermittently? I'll check the other fuse under the hood tomorrow.

 

I'm quite surprised that this thread hasn't yet been granted Sticky status.

The 1st Gen EHPS Pump/Fan issues are just as ubiquitous as strut tower deformation and door sill rust, if not more. It's one of four stickies in the MINI2 1st Gen Faults and Fixes thread, with almost 115,000 views.

I say it's time.

 

Not too bad for the most part. I just wouldn't want to parallel park it any time soon.

 

Mine whines pretty loudly when I start the car and while sitting still if I turn the wheel it winds even louder. Is this normal????