Hmm... I ask myself now if I might have one of those power steering pumps/ABS units which have caused engine bay fires, luckilly for me it has only drained my battery so far. I have disconnected the battery, but when it is connected, even if the car is off I hear this high pitch whining noise. Could it be a pressure switch in the power steering pump is not being hit so it just keeps trying to pressurize? Im not sure really, but I think that could be it...any Thoughts?

 

I have an 05 MCS and the stinking PS went out on it last week, Hendrick MINI has had it since Thursday and only have ONE technician on duty so they said it would be a few days! I hope like crap it gets fixed and back to me the first of the week, with my luck they will try to blame it on some of the mods that I have did to the car and try not to waranty it! Good luck on urs also, mine wentout and on my way to dealership it came back after 2 whole days!!! WEIRD

 

My 2003 MINI CVT had the same problem: power steering pump fault (would not turn off) caused a "parasitic drain" on the battery which in turn, killed the battery, making the car inoperable...of course. Towed to dealer...they replaced the PS pump and motor, and installed a new battery. All under warranty. By the way, this was my 2nd power steering motor/pump replacement in 2 years. The first PS motor blew out last August in 100+ F degree weather that we had for a stretch of a few days. Don't know if the heat was a factor, but they replaced the PS motor/pump then, too.

At just about 50,000 miles on the odometer, I traded in the 2003 MINI for a 2006 MCSa. Here's hoping the 2006 has a lot less problems!

rock on,

-boognish

 

sorry to say but the '06 Mini's have the same p.s pump as all the previous models. the pump has not been updated, so the problem will only continue.

the fan in the other hand has been updated and on the new Mini's it is actually covered with a scoop that goes to the front bumper. so no more garbage can block/damage the fan, which in turns keeps the p.s. pump cool.

for the johnnyohhh, yes it's your p.s. pump. take it in and get it replaced.

 

The shroud from the fan to the bumper is only on the automatics.

 

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