MINI2 - MINI Forum - View Single Post

OLY · Jun 4th, 2008, 04:15 AM

Still having intermittent power steering problem.

When It first occured, my Mini was JUST out of warranty - just over 50,000 miles.

Posted here & then called Mini of Mountain View (California).

Service adviser was unsympathetic: "we'll fix it for $1,500."

I'm sorry, folks, something as key to safety as power steering failing that soon is, basically a "Deal Breaker", or less politely, a "Rip OFF", dare I say.

But wait - there's more - in over a month since adding some special, expensive, hydraulic fluid even though the level was within the marks, it has worked perfectly.

Then one day - didn't work at all. Next day(s) - works perfectly.

Question: could this be just a poor electrical connection? Does NOT sound like a pump failure - that would deteriorate, not keep being intermittant.

Did I mention I'm retired after repairing electro-mechanical equipment for 40 years? I have SOME idea how things work, but of course, the dealer just wants to replace the whole system - for almost 1/10th the price of the car. Of course, no electrical diagrams seem to be available.

Edit: Looking at this post, I notice an ad just below for a Honda Power Steering Pump for $24.98 !!

Jun 4th, 2008, 04:15 AM	#14
OLY MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Sep 2004 Local Time: 09:27 AM Posts: 30 Offline	Still having problem - sometimes. Still having intermittent power steering problem. When It first occured, my Mini was JUST out of warranty - just over 50,000 miles. Posted here & then called Mini of Mountain View (California). Service adviser was unsympathetic: "we'll fix it for $1,500." I'm sorry, folks, something as key to safety as power steering failing that soon is, basically a "Deal Breaker", or less politely, a "Rip OFF", dare I say. But wait - there's more - in over a month since adding some special, expensive, hydraulic fluid even though the level was within the marks, it has worked perfectly. Then one day - didn't work at all. Next day(s) - works perfectly. Question: could this be just a poor electrical connection? Does NOT sound like a pump failure - that would deteriorate, not keep being intermittant. Did I mention I'm retired after repairing electro-mechanical equipment for 40 years? I have SOME idea how things work, but of course, the dealer just wants to replace the whole system - for almost 1/10th the price of the car. Of course, no electrical diagrams seem to be available. Edit: Looking at this post, I notice an ad just below for a Honda Power Steering Pump for $24.98 !!