MINI2

Electrc109 · Oct 19th, 2002, 07:50 PM

The steering in my MINI is really difficult at very low speeds. Is this part of the electric motored power assist or do I need go in for service?

Basil · Oct 19th, 2002, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Electrc109
The steering in my MINI is really difficult at very low speeds. Is this part of the electric motored power assist or do I need go in for service?

Sounds like you have a problem. It's speed sensitive, you should be able to easily move the wheel at parking speeds. It reduces it's assistance the faster you are travelling, not the other way around.

Have you checked your tyre pressures lately, this would have an affect.

here2help · Oct 20th, 2002, 05:51 AM

Please note that there are two modes of operation of the EHPS(electro-hydraulic power steering pump)no steering assistance and steering assistance.
With the engine running and no steering assistance required the pump
operates at approximately 80% capacity at a speed of 3,500 rpm.
Movement of the steering changes the hydraulic pressure within the
circuit which in turn effects the operation of the pump, this is identified
at the control electronics by the increase in current, the pump speed
is increased to 4,500 rpm and now operates at full capacity.
Hope this helps...i agree with basil it maybe youre tyre pressures..
cheers

Electrc109 · Oct 20th, 2002, 11:07 AM

tires are @ 32 psi
your diagnosis is consistent with my hunches, so I guess I'll go take him in for service....

flyboy2160 · Oct 21st, 2002, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by here2help
Please note that there are two modes of operation of the EHPS(electro-hydraulic power steering pump)no steering assistance and steering assistance.

here2help, you sound like you know a bit about the power steering system.

i a few weeks when i get my mcs, i'd like to experiment by disconnecting the power steering to see how that will change steering feel. i know the steering effort is sure to go way up at low speeds, but i want to see if i can get more feel at higher speeds.

can you advise me how to do this disconnect?

thanks

here2help · Oct 21st, 2002, 08:31 AM

hi flyboy2160
i will try this on a car on wednesday but i feel it will be very heavy all the time...just like when a power steering belt has snapped/broken..ill let you know though.
cheers

mr.bill · Oct 21st, 2002, 09:29 AM

You should probably ask the dealer if disconnecting the power steering pump will damage anything. The steering is speed sensitive and is probably controlled by the ECU. If it senses a fault, such as a malfunctioning steering pump, it may shut down the engine or something.

here2help · Oct 21st, 2002, 02:21 PM

Mrbill maybe correct in what he says as the EHPS has its own control unit which is diagnosible...
But if you wanted to try it
The EHPS has two connections: a 2-pin power cable connection and
a 3-pin connection which consists of terminal 15, terminal 61 (to
determine the engine is running) and the Diagnosis bus for
communication with the control electronics integrated in the pump.

komulainen · Oct 31st, 2002, 02:38 PM

here2help,

Just got my S last Sat. been noticing a very loud whine from the power steering that seems to have just started, maybe this is just the first time I've noticed it. Is this a normal MINI thing? I feel like a new parent who wants to take their kid to the hospital every time she coughs.

j

Paul · Oct 31st, 2002, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by komulainen

Just got my S last Sat. been noticing a very loud whine from the power steering that seems to have just started, maybe this is just the first time I've noticed it. Is this a normal MINI thing? I feel like a new parent who wants to take their kid to the hospital every time she coughs.

j

This is completely normal, due to the (almost) unique power steering system of the MINI.

komulainen · Oct 31st, 2002, 04:39 PM

Thanks Paul. I love this place.

Racer · Oct 31st, 2002, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by flyboy2160

here2help, you sound like you know a bit about the power steering system.

i a few weeks when i get my mcs, i'd like to experiment by disconnecting the power steering to see how that will change steering feel. i know the steering effort is sure to go way up at low speeds, but i want to see if i can get more feel at higher speeds.

can you advise me how to do this disconnect?

thanks

After one of my racing incidents I was left without power steering - whilst driveable the rack is geared to take account of the steering and hence is VERY heavy with capital V at low speeds. Due to it's speed sensitive nature there appears to be little gained from not have PS until somebody brings out a non-assisted rack

Paul · Oct 31st, 2002, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by komulainen
Thanks Paul. I love this place.

Thanks.

Me too (most of the time).

Oct 19th, 2002, 07:50 PM	#1
Electrc109 DRIVER Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ormond by the Sea FL Local Time: 09:51 PM Posts: 691 Offline	Power Steering The steering in my MINI is really difficult at very low speeds. Is this part of the electric motored power assist or do I need go in for service?

Oct 19th, 2002, 08:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
Basil MINI2 Master Join Date: Nov 2001 Local Time: 11:51 AM Posts: 5,956 Offline	Re: Power Steering Quote: Originally posted by Electrc109 The steering in my MINI is really difficult at very low speeds. Is this part of the electric motored power assist or do I need go in for service? Sounds like you have a problem. It's speed sensitive, you should be able to easily move the wheel at parking speeds. It reduces it's assistance the faster you are travelling, not the other way around. Have you checked your tyre pressures lately, this would have an affect.

Oct 21st, 2002, 03:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
flyboy2160 MINI2 Regular Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: south bay, southern Local Time: 05:51 PM Posts: 182 Offline	no power steering experiment Quote: Originally posted by here2help Please note that there are two modes of operation of the EHPS(electro-hydraulic power steering pump)no steering assistance and steering assistance. here2help, you sound like you know a bit about the power steering system. i a few weeks when i get my mcs, i'd like to experiment by disconnecting the power steering to see how that will change steering feel. i know the steering effort is sure to go way up at low speeds, but i want to see if i can get more feel at higher speeds. can you advise me how to do this disconnect? thanks

Oct 21st, 2002, 08:31 AM	#6 (permalink)
here2help MINI2 Senior Join Date: Sep 2002 Local Time: 01:51 AM Posts: 540 Offline	flyboy2160 hi flyboy2160 i will try this on a car on wednesday but i feel it will be very heavy all the time...just like when a power steering belt has snapped/broken..ill let you know though. cheers

Oct 21st, 2002, 02:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
here2help MINI2 Senior Join Date: Sep 2002 Local Time: 01:51 AM Posts: 540 Offline	hi Mrbill maybe correct in what he says as the EHPS has its own control unit which is diagnosible... But if you wanted to try it The EHPS has two connections: a 2-pin power cable connection and a 3-pin connection which consists of terminal 15, terminal 61 (to determine the engine is running) and the Diagnosis bus for communication with the control electronics integrated in the pump.

MINI2

Fuel for your MINI obsession

Got a problem with your MINI? Share it here, and maybe even find a solution

Today
Sponsors	Sponsored Links Registered members do not see Google Ads posts, they can also post messages, pictures, and classified adverts. Register your free account today and become a member of MINI2 - MINI Forum

Oct 20th, 2002, 05:51 AM	#3 (permalink)
here2help MINI2 Senior Join Date: Sep 2002 Local Time: 01:51 AM Posts: 540 Offline	Please note that there are two modes of operation of the EHPS(electro-hydraulic power steering pump)no steering assistance and steering assistance. With the engine running and no steering assistance required the pump operates at approximately 80% capacity at a speed of 3,500 rpm. Movement of the steering changes the hydraulic pressure within the circuit which in turn effects the operation of the pump, this is identified at the control electronics by the increase in current, the pump speed is increased to 4,500 rpm and now operates at full capacity. Hope this helps...i agree with basil it maybe youre tyre pressures.. cheers

Oct 20th, 2002, 11:07 AM	#4 (permalink)
Electrc109 DRIVER Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ormond by the Sea FL Local Time: 09:51 PM Posts: 691 Offline	tires are @ 32 psi your diagnosis is consistent with my hunches, so I guess I'll go take him in for service....

Oct 21st, 2002, 09:29 AM	#7 (permalink)
mr.bill MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: USA Local Time: 01:51 AM Posts: 577 Offline	You should probably ask the dealer if disconnecting the power steering pump will damage anything. The steering is speed sensitive and is probably controlled by the ECU. If it senses a fault, such as a malfunctioning steering pump, it may shut down the engine or something.

Oct 31st, 2002, 02:38 PM	#9 (permalink)
komulainen MINI2 Regular Join Date: May 2002 Location: Richmond, Virginia Local Time: 01:51 AM Posts: 102 Offline	here2help, Just got my S last Sat. been noticing a very loud whine from the power steering that seems to have just started, maybe this is just the first time I've noticed it. Is this a normal MINI thing? I feel like a new parent who wants to take their kid to the hospital every time she coughs. j 2003 Indi Blue S with White Roof White Bonnet Stripes Premium/Sport(with 16"s)/Cold Park Assist 6 MONTHS OF WAITING IS OVER!!!

Oct 31st, 2002, 02:44 PM	#10 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 02:51 AM Posts: 40,013 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by komulainen Just got my S last Sat. been noticing a very loud whine from the power steering that seems to have just started, maybe this is just the first time I've noticed it. Is this a normal MINI thing? I feel like a new parent who wants to take their kid to the hospital every time she coughs. j This is completely normal, due to the (almost) unique power steering system of the MINI. There aint no party like my nana's tea party

Oct 31st, 2002, 04:39 PM	#11 (permalink)
komulainen MINI2 Regular Join Date: May 2002 Location: Richmond, Virginia Local Time: 01:51 AM Posts: 102 Offline	Thanks Paul. I love this place. 2003 Indi Blue S with White Roof White Bonnet Stripes Premium/Sport(with 16"s)/Cold Park Assist 6 MONTHS OF WAITING IS OVER!!!

Oct 31st, 2002, 05:04 PM	#12 (permalink)
Racer Sponsor,Moderator & Racer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Kent Local Time: 02:51 AM Posts: 1,308 Offline	Re: no power steering experiment Quote: Originally posted by flyboy2160 here2help, you sound like you know a bit about the power steering system. i a few weeks when i get my mcs, i'd like to experiment by disconnecting the power steering to see how that will change steering feel. i know the steering effort is sure to go way up at low speeds, but i want to see if i can get more feel at higher speeds. can you advise me how to do this disconnect? thanks After one of my racing incidents I was left without power steering - whilst driveable the rack is geared to take account of the steering and hence is VERY heavy with capital V at low speeds. Due to it's speed sensitive nature there appears to be little gained from not have PS until somebody brings out a non-assisted rack JCW Club Sport Kawasaki Green / White Unofficial John Cooper Challenge Site

Oct 31st, 2002, 06:13 PM	#13 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 02:51 AM Posts: 40,013 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by komulainen Thanks Paul. I love this place. Thanks. Me too (most of the time). There aint no party like my nana's tea party

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Power steering Pump replaced-Steering slightly off centre	Rooster	Faults & Fixes	2	Sep 3rd, 2007 06:12 PM
power steering	steveb330	Faults & Fixes	7	Jul 21st, 2007 02:38 AM
power steering	won chop	General Discussion	6	Aug 2nd, 2005 11:50 PM
No Power Steering	tip	Faults & Fixes	5	Apr 15th, 2003 01:45 AM
power steering	Vonnie	Faults & Fixes	1	Apr 6th, 2002 03:19 AM