I got my first Mini yesterday, it is a 2002 Mini One, and the car has been absolutely super so far. But today when I returned to the car after doing some shopping it was completely dead. I got a jump but the Power Steering Pump was running all the time, it would not stop. And the battery light also came on and without any charging it was pretty hard to get back home. I ended up charging the battery with another car for about 10 min with the battery disconnected from the car, and that got me home. I have now charged the battery again, but the pump still runs when i connect the battery and the battery light is still on, the check engine light is also on, but that might be because of power issues.

The engine is brand new, only run about 500 miles, it was changed due to damaged engine block after it sucked in water when the previous owner hit a big puddle of water.

I will get the car in to the dealer on monday, but I was hoping someone could try to help me figure out what is wrong and how much it's going to cost me to get it fixed.

 

It sounds to me like two separate problems. The power steering pump being 'stuck' on is a known issue. Unfortunately, the fix is a new pump. As for the battery light being on, most likely this is due to a faulty alternator. There is a chance that there is a loose wire or connector, seeing that the engine has been replaced, but that's not set in stone. Most likely you will have to replace the alternator as well to fix it.

 

That's what I was afraid of, but I was hoping the alternator could cause the ecu to go crazy and cause the pump to become stuck. What are the odds of these two problems happening at the same time...

 

The power steering pump turned out to be the reason for all the problems, apparently it was on the same circuit as the alternator.

Doe anyone know if the replacement pump is any different than the old one, does it last any longer?

 

They probably didn't change all the "accessories" or parts bolted on to the main part of the motor when they changed it. Your starter, power steering, air conditioner pump, alternator, transmission are probably original (If I had to guess). They're not part of the block. In fact, when they change the block, you can get a long block or a short block and that's with or without the head. They basically start unbolting everything from the block, pull and change it, then bolt everything back on to the new block.

If you're thinking it only lasted 500 miles, but in fact it's original, it might have lasted pretty long after all.

 

I'm pretty sure it's the original pump which was there up until now, but 50 000 miles isn't that great. I have had a look around in the engine bay and they probably only replaced the block and maybe the head (the Mini sticker on top of the engine (head) was new).

 

the power steering pump isn't on/attched to the motor

it sits on the power steering rack w/a little cooling fan over it



I got a (used) one out of an 06 when mine went bad a few weeks ago...$165

 

My pump just went out as well. Has anyone tried to replace the pump themselves? I don't have the $1600 that the dealer wants to charge me, and the saddest part is- my '02 MCS just hit the 51K mark to put me out of warranty. :(
Advice would be much appreciated! I found a pump for only $95 from a junk yard, but can't seem to find replacement instruction manuals online.