[Mr G]

My car has developed an unusual intermittent fault. the power steering just turns off. no warning. just all of a sudden its like stiring tar. do it yourself bodybulding kit.

Then you turn the engine off, and back on again and its working. it's like steering by microsoft.

So obviously its an electrical problem. I took it to the dealer today, and they can't find the cause. Just drive it another couple of weeks and see what happens.

Wierd thing is this: It failed twice in one day about a week or so ago, then nothing until yesterday, when it failed again. It worked perfectly for a week and a bit with me driving to and from work. all 3 times its failed have been with passengers in the car.

[Peartreeproductions]

Hi Mr G,

I had this problem too - very intermittent power steering failure. The final straw was when I pulled into a service station off the M11 and nearly hit a parked car!

Mine was resolved by the dealer replacing the power steering rack under warranty and it seems to be a common fault in the minis. Mine is a Dec 02 build MC. Hope you are under warranty as I saw the bill and it was over £500 notes!!

Take the car back as it is seriously dangerous when it fails. I think stirring tar is putting it mildy!!!

[Mr G]

thanks heaps for that. No its not under warranty, but its one of "those" cars that have a very special realtionship with its maker if you know what i mean. so they do look after me in a lot of ways. I'll be talking with them again early next week.

yes, Stirring tar was probably an understatement, but i couldn't come up with a better analogy. its exactly as you describe it. not desirable at all.

[regina]

yes, it has happened me too, not under warranty either but bmw have said they would foot the bill for parts as goodwill. Very intermittant failure about six months ago and nothing until last monday when it refused to budge at all while driving. So first they say its the steering column, then something else, then pump and now a fault in electronics, will I ever get my car back? not too reassuring to see its happened to others either!

[Mr G]

Quote: Originally Posted by regina (original)

yes, it has happened me too, not under warranty either but bmw have said they would foot the bill for parts as goodwill. Very intermittant failure about six months ago and nothing until last monday when it refused to budge at all while driving. So first they say its the steering column, then something else, then pump and now a fault in electronics, will I ever get my car back? not too reassuring to see its happened to others either!

I have had mine fixed now, and it was the pump itself.

[Andy P]

Hi,

We had this problem and they replaced the pump, problem came back and then they had to replace the control box,

Andy

[radfordmini]

HELP! My powersteering died today. Driving along the dual carriageway and all of a sudden the steering felt heavy! Has anybody tried to steer 17inch wheels manually! Modern technology has made us so weak!

Has anybody else had this problem? I checked the powersteering fluid and it's all there but no sign of the whining powersteering pump. I've had to get my classic mini cooper sport pack out as its imposible to use my MCS. My MCS is out of warranty so can anybody recommend any mechanics in London (i'm in SW London). Any help much appreciated.

R

[ficas]

I'm afraid that my power steering is on its way out too. The noise that's normally there when manouvering at low speeds is now there all the time - and much louder! Moving the steering wheel affects the noise, it's like the bearings are going in something? Then when I turn off the engine it whines to a stop.

Has this happened to anybody else before the power steering has gone?

[radfordmini]

Hey Ficas, there is a characteristic whine that is always there but if you think it's sounding abnormal than i suggest you get it checked out asap-before you have the horrible experience like me when all of a sudden you have no power assitance!
R

[ficas]

Thanks Radfordmini,
It's definately abnormal, I've had my mini for 15 months now, so am well used to the whine, this noise has only been happening for about 6 weeks, I thought if the power steering went worst that would happen would be stiffer steering - forgetting that 17'' wheels wouldn't turn too easily unassisted! Must get it checked out.

[ficas]

Dropped my car into the garage last week, then went off on holidays, got a phone call while at the airport to tell me that, as I had suspected, there was a bearing gone in the power steering pump, total cost of replacement 716 euro! the part alone was over 500 euro, that reduced my spending power while on hols!

[J1JPE]

my now old r53 did this as well; hence why i traded it rather than selling it privately ... there's an article in july issue of modern mini on how to replace the pump

best to get replaced / repaired under warranty, goodwill from dealer tho'

good luck with it

[JCW225]

Quote: Originally Posted by radfordmini (original)

HELP! My powersteering died today. Driving along the dual carriageway and all of a sudden the steering felt heavy! Has anybody tried to steer 17inch wheels manually! Modern technology has made us so weak!

Has anybody else had this problem? I checked the powersteering fluid and it's all there but no sign of the whining powersteering pump. I've had to get my classic mini cooper sport pack out as its imposible to use my MCS. My MCS is out of warranty so can anybody recommend any mechanics in London (i'm in SW London). Any help much appreciated.

R

Our Steering Died today at 15mph and that was Scary!
God forbid a Mini Driver who drives around at 50mph on a B Road or faster and this happens !
Its a serious problem and BMW need to sort this out.
Does anyone feel it requires a recall ?
We have lost total confidence in our Mini as its our car to take the kids to and from School.
I know it can be resolved by replacing the Pump etc but what happens if it fails again at a higher speed ?
This can happen with any vehicle granted but there appears to be a trend with the Mini.

What does everyone else think on this Problem ?

Thanks Guys

[oldmots]

Quote: Originally Posted by JCW225 (original)

Our Steering Died today at 15mph and that was Scary!
God forbid a Mini Driver who drives around at 50mph on a B Road or faster and this happens !
Its a serious problem and BMW need to sort this out.
Does anyone feel it requires a recall ?
We have lost total confidence in our Mini as its our car to take the kids to and from School.
I know it can be resolved by replacing the Pump etc but what happens if it fails again at a higher speed ?
This can happen with any vehicle granted but there appears to be a trend with the Mini.

What does everyone else think on this Problem ?

Thanks Guys

My thinking on the electric power steering is that the system is not robust enough for the car and has a high failure rate. In order to maximize its life, do not turn the steering wheel unless the car is moving and never hold the wheel against the lock. Both of these activities will stress the system to the max.

[coopy56]

I ran across this fan ducting system for the power steering at Mini Mania the other day and wondered if it would be a good preventive measure. I've not had any problems yet but i just turned 50000 miles on my 03.


Anyone have any experience with it?

Larry

[burns863]

I have had this intermittent problem at low speeds for a few months now. Not had the money to get it fixed I dont think the steering is as likely to fail at high speeds as it is a low (parking) speeds as the pump isnt working as hard. I have only ever had it fail when parking.

I have been in touch with 1320autos.com and they can sell me a recycled pump for about £50. Only problem is it comes with no warranty and there is also no way of telling whether it is from a newer MINI or one the same age as mine. All they would be able to tell me is how many miles the pump has worked over which is really quite irrelevant.

Any advice anyone? Im worried about forking out £50 for a pump that may break in a few miles. Although a new pump from BMW is £350 approx

[dmvangoe]

My pump quit a couple weeks ago. the dealer says the cooling fan had also quit and they claim this caused the pump failure. My 2004 S has 87000 miles now and I have ordered the cooling duct from Mini Mania ( on back order) as an extra precaution. Dealer charged me over $1000 to fix and gave me a 2 yr warranty.

[JCW225]

Ok....Just had the Pump, Wiring Loom and connectors replaced under goodwill from BMW UK.
My Main Dealer informed me the Pump is an electrical version which is why they can switch on and off without notice. The following info is worth noting....

We were informed that if BMW Pay for the whole repair the 2 year warranty will not apply therefore we had to pay the grand total of £9.99 towards the costs inorder to receive the warranty ! How odd is that ? So basically if your car is out of warranty and BMW agree to pay for the whole costs you will not have a warranty ! Strange but true !
Hope this info helps ?

[burns863]

Quote: Originally Posted by JCW225 (original)

Ok....Just had the Pump, Wiring Loom and connectors replaced under goodwill from BMW UK.
My Main Dealer informed me the Pump is an electrical version which is why they can switch on and off without notice. The following info is worth noting....

We were informed that if BMW Pay for the whole repair the 2 year warranty will not apply therefore we had to pay the grand total of £9.99 towards the costs inorder to receive the warranty ! How odd is that ? So basically if your car is out of warranty and BMW agree to pay for the whole costs you will not have a warranty ! Strange but true !
Hope this info helps ?

Thanks for the info, thats worth noting

My power steering pump seems tobe ok as long as i dont put it under too much pressure and steer while stationary. Gona get it replaced a.s.a.p but at the moment I have more major problems, gearbox has gone. Third is being fitted and should be done tomorrow but sadly, all at my expense: £900

[JCW225]

Quote: Originally Posted by burns863 (original)

Thanks for the info, thats worth noting

My power steering pump seems tobe ok as long as i dont put it under too much pressure and steer while stationary. Gona get it replaced a.s.a.p but at the moment I have more major problems, gearbox has gone. Third is being fitted and should be done tomorrow but sadly, all at my expense: £900

Burns forgive my eyes but are you on your third gearbox ? if so how come ?