pulling the # 39 fuse didnt stop my pump from running either-- I'm going to try pulling the 100 amp fuse. Ten minutes later--- 100 amp fuse 4 made no difference either.

 

My PS pump was done. 72,000 miles. I lucked out and got the "it doesn't turn off" problem. This can be fixed the cheapest vs "it stopped working".
You can mail the pump to ModuleMasters/Circuit Solutions in Idaho for them to reman. it. They only charge $225 + $18 for shipping back. Their ebay listing is -
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mini-...Q5fAccessories

To get a new "rebuilt/reman'd" one elsewhere to replace your current one is about $450+. To buy one from the dealer is $788 (rebuilt, not even new)

I asked my local city fleet garage if they would take mine out, then put it back in when I got it back. They only charged a total of $101.

It took about 7 days from sending it to getting it back. Meanwhile I borrowed a car.

So my total, including my shipping cost to them was $380.
That's the cheapest total cost for replacing the PS pump I could find.

OH, look at the time.....HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

 

My PS works fine, but sounds awful. From reading here, I conclude it is likely to fail either ten minutes or six months from now. I would like to replace it before it fails, rather than after.

From reading here I thought I could get a rebuilt unit from BBA Manufacturing, and ship them my dieing unit in return. It turns out that they no longer stock rebuilt PS pumps for MINI. They can rebuild mine, but my car will be out of service for about a week in the meantime. A weeks worth of rental car means this is not a cost effective solution for me.

What is the next cheapest way to restore my PS without taking the car out of service for an extended period of time?

Phil

 

Buy one from a junk yard and have it rebuilt?

 

you can try here

http://www.germanautoparts.com/Mini/...S2/4526/589153

 

Two excellent suggestions. I've placed an order with GermanAutoParts.com. Thanks to both of you.

 

Hopefully the title caught someone's attention who knows something about the PS system and electrical system.

This is the short version. In December after getting new tires and a brief drive I was rinsing rain-splashes from my '03MCS with 52K when I noticed white smoke from the front of the car. I thought it was vapor from the water on the manifold and after I completedthe wash-down I put the car in the garage. The next day--no PS.

I called the Honda dealer (Bobby Rahal) where I bought the car (I have a HondaCare service agreement) and drove the car there. They got immediate approval from HondaCare for a new PS pump, but after removal, it was determined that the main power harness was damaged. HondaCare declined coverage because the harness was damaged by fire from the pump, not failure of the part.

My insurance (State Farm) covered the harness on my Comprehensive and the dealer reassembled the PS and harness.

The problem is that the PS pump is not working; the circuit to the PS fan, pump and main cooling fan are dead. (They ran the a/c and neither an works.)

Now, they checked the 100 amp fuse under the bonnet fusebox, the fuse in that box and the fuse in the driver's side fusebox. They are in the process of tracing the wiring to determine if there is a break somewhere.

Can anyone here help brainstorm what else may be the cause of the no-power situation? I need a checklist to suggest to them. Apparently BMW/MINI is no help, only the Bentley manual has any info.

BTW, Bobby Rahal dealership has been fantastic, State Farm was prompt and wonderful to deal with and, up to a point, HondaCare has fine.

Please, post or e-mail me if you have suggestions.

Thanks

 

There is a relay. It can be problematic. Sorry I can't be of more help right now but a quick search might turn something up. If I find anything I'll post back.

Here is one thread with links to other threads. It is for the fan staying on but would obviously be opposite if the relay was dead:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-fan-help.html

Here is another that might be useful:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...nd-wiring.html

 

there are two wiring harnesses under the hood. the PS harness and the engine wiring harness. if they replaced both, then they made a mistake during installation. if just the PS harness was replaced, the engine fans would still work. Check ALL the fuses under the hood on the driver side, usually its a 5A or a 50A fuse that controls the fans. Back in 2003, the wiring for the engine fan and the PS fan were on the same circuit. Make sure both fans spin freely on there own. The 5A fuse under the hood will blow if these conditions are not met.

Also check for a burnt wire from the alternator to the PS pump. MINI requires an 'engine running' signal to allow the pump to work.

Hope this helps

 

Thanks Guys.

To clarify, the PS pump is not working.
Neither the PS fan or engine fan is working.
The main harness was replaced.

All fuses seem to be OK

--FL4 100A Electric Steering control unit/Hydraulic pump)
--F39 5A Generator/Steering control unit/hydraulic pump
--F40 5A Control module for instrument panel/Switch panel/Steering angle sensor
--F41 5A Park distance control unit/power to K69923, Relay fan steering control module


Things I don't know about:
--Relay status is unknown (I believe this is K69923 EHPS fan for PS/ behind passenger compartment fuse panel)
--Fan spin status is unknown
--wire from Alternator to PS pump unknown

I'll talk with them again today

More ideas anyone?

 

All -

My power steering has gone out, although the car is still drivable. From what I have read, it is most likely the pump. Is there any easy way to verify that the pump is the problem, and not some other part, before I fork out for a replacement?

Also, assuming I do replace the pump, is the process fairly straight forward? Is it just as easy as disconnecting the old, connecting the new, and filling with new fluid? My Bentley manual mentions using a dignostic machine during the process?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

check the fluid level

 

Mine was replaced with out any diagnostic machine

 

Here's a PS pump R&R DIY that may help.

 

I thought I should post this to assist anyone else who is doing a PS Pump replacement.

The Honda dealer who did the repairs sent it to a MINI dealer where they went over the install to find what the problem was. It turned out that during the main power harness install the Honda mechanic used shrinkwrap on the connectors and that caused the bad connections. The shrinkwrap was removed and reconnected and the PS Pump operated normally. I am to get the car back later today. I'll post when I get it back....

EDIT: Got it back--love this car!!!!

 

Power Steering pump failures! Anyone have anything to add?
http://newmini.wordpress.com/2009/02...ering-failure/

 

For all of you folks that have had or are having power steering pump problems please go to http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm and let them know.

If folks can req. MINI to replace an exhaust tip because a few folks got burned, we should be able to get some action on this saftey issue.

 

Pity we can't get strut tower mushrooming declared a safety issue...

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-steering.html

 

Check out www.motoringfile.com today.

 

The word is spreading: http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/02/...ering-failure/

 

According to MINI, a revised PW pump part number was added to all MINIs beginning with the January 2005 production builds and onwards.

I have a February 2005 build '05 MCS hardtop with 54K miles and I haven't had any PW pump related issues.

In order to help determine whether the "newly revised pump" really addressed the issues of the earlier PW pump, please post your MINI's year, build date (Located in the placard/sticker inside the driver's side door jamb) and mileage when your PW pump went out.

Having a consistent tally of year, build date and mileage is extremely helpful to help isolate and determine which years are more affected by the PW pump issue.

Thanks.

 

If my 03 mcs with 25k miles on it has a failing PS pump is there anything I can do? It just started making noises last week and yesterday the check engine light came on. I am out of warranty

 

When you own a car out of warranty, expect to pay for repairs/maintenance out of pocket. That is just the way it is for better or worse. Still a heck of a lot cheaper than buying a new car

Find yourself a good reputable independent MINI mechanic and get a quote on replacing the PW pump.

What is the actual build date of your car?

 

I dont know the actual date. I would have to look. It is on 03 though. I will check later.