[dej]

I have a June 2002 build MCS. Occasionally, I have a power steering problem. When this happens at low speeds (i.e., below 5 mph), it becomes quite difficult to turn the wheels. I assume the ps pump is cutting in and out. Chances are, if I take the car to the dealer, the dealer won't be able to replicate the problem (you know how that goes). Has anyone else had this problem? Any thoughts on the root cause? Thanks.

[cooper4us]

Have the dealer check the electric motor that drives the power steering system in your car. Also check and make sure that your tires are inflated to the correct amount of air (There is a tire pressure guide sticker affixed in the driver's side lower door jamb).

If you feel like the electric power steering assist "cuts" when you are manuvering the car at low speeds, the first thing to check is the integrity of the electric motor.

MINI's have typically heavy feeling steering efforts at low speeds.

[goin440]

The steering gets progessively harder the tighter the turn. A wide radius turn would not take as much effort as a tight radius turn.

This all depends on the type of turns you take. So if you feel there is a real problem, take it in for service.

[sjbartnik]

Also be sure to check your fluid level. If the fluid level is severely low, you can get air bubbles into the system which will result in a feeling of the assist cutting out as an air bubble is passed through where hydraulic pressure only is supposed to exist.

If your p/s fluid is low but there are no signs of external leakage, you could be looking at a faulty steering rack

[chiph]

Also check to make sure that some road trash (like a plastic bag) isn't caught up in the PS fan underneath the car. This will cause the fuse to blow (better check that too), and might cause the steering pump to overheat.

Chip H.

[cooper4us]

Do we still have power steering fluid in our MINIs? I was under the impression the system was fully electric. There is no mention of power steering fluid in the owner's manual (2002).

Yea, the electric steering fan could also be yet another culprit. Take it to the dealer, it is the best way to be 100% sure if there is a problem or not.

[cooper4us]

I checked my owner's manual again and like I said there is no mention of power steering fluid, power steering reservoir or power steering dipstick.

Is the system 100% electric?

[aMini2Go]

I have noticed this on my May '02 build Cooper at times as well. Unfortunately, I attributed it to the "nature of the beast" knowing that it was electrically assisted power steering and never bothered asking about it.

However, I just had a very horrible experience last night making a hard turn when the steering failed! I was travelling quickly, but not at an overly excessive speed - my guess is roughly 20-25MPH - making a left turn. The steering quit momentarily and I ended up hitting a 5" curb! My wheel is destroyed and the impact bent something (axle?) so that the wheel is pushed back in the fender well and now it rubs.

I had to call MINI Roadside Assistance to have the vehicle hauled into the dealer.

The dealer said they had never heard of this before, so I would be VERY INTERESTED to hear from any others who have experienced this!!!

[chiph]

Quote:

Originally posted by cooper4us
I checked my owner's manual again and like I said there is no mention of power steering fluid, power steering reservoir or power steering dipstick.

Is the system 100% electric?

It does use power steering fluid, but it's a sealed system - there's no reservoir to top off by the owner.

Chip H.

[MICKEY]

I thought the reservoir was the black bottle in the middle of the bulkhead, the one next to the radiator bottle. thats were it's on my 02 MINI Cooper

[chiph]

You're right - I was going by the online owner's manual (page 88), and it doesn't list the power steering reservoir, but there it is... next to the coolant tank. Just not called out with a line & description.


Chip H.

[sjbartnik]

Quote:

Originally posted by chiph
It does use power steering fluid, but it's a sealed system - there's no reservoir to top off by the owner.

Chip H.

This is incorrect.

The MINI's power steering system is an electro-hydraulic system. What this means is that rather than an engine driven pump pressurizing the hydraulic fluid as in a conventional p/s system, we have an electric motor doing the job. In all other respects it's a conventional p/s system, it's only the method of pressurizing the fluid that's different.

The p/s system is NOT a sealed system and there IS a reservoir for fluid. It's not mentioned in the manual but it's there. In my Cooper S, the reservoir is immediately adjacent to the coolant expansion tank, not sure if the location is different on a Cooper. It is a small black tank with two relatively thick fluid hoses traveling down the firewall from it to the p/s pump.

I suspect the reason they don't mention it in the manual is because they don't want the owners adding the incorrect p/s fluid and damaging the pump or hydraulic seals. You can however remove the cap and check the fluid level. Attached to the cap is a rudimentary dipstick, just like in conventional p/s systems. There are two lines on the dipstick, neither of which are marked. My Cooper S however has fluid up to the second line when the system is cold and the engine is off. There is additional room inside the reservoir for fluid expansion as it heats up.

It would be wise to check the reservoir and make sure there is fluid inside. If not, you could have a big problem. P/S fluid is not consumed in normal operation so if fluid is missing, it has leaked somewhere, either onto the ground or internally past the seals in the steering rack into the rack itself.

Also the suggestion about checking the p/s cooling fan is also good. If the p/s pump overheats it can cut out.

[aMini2Go]

Ok, now that we've established there is definitely fluid and a resevoir, is it possible that the fluid is low? Can an owner check/fill this - or is it a "MINI-mechanic" only type thing?

Thanks for all the input folks. I really want to find out why this happened to my car - and not rely solely on the MINI techs at my dealership to figure it out for themselves (I don't trust 'em any further than I can throw 'em. ).

[aMini2Go]

Oh, uhhh.... errrr.... you posted an answer before I posted the question!

Thanks sjbartnik!

[dej]

Thank you for the advice. I spoke to the dealer service advisor, who says that the PAS should not be cutting in and out as it has. I am going to take it in for a look on Monday.

[aMini2Go]

Yesterday, while at the dealership, I spoke with another owner that also says he has experienced this same phenomena multiple times.

As it stands, MINI/BMW will be investigating my car (I assume that means the computer and the physical components) to see if they can establish whether this *actually* happend to me in this situation or if it was just my imagination.

I can assure you that it has not been my imagination in the past, but this particular incident happened so quickly, that I can't be sure of much - I just remember thinking at the time "Oh *****, the car isn't turning!!!"

At any rate, I would still appreciate input from any others who may be experiencing this issue. If there is indeed an issue that is affecting multiple cars, it is a serious one that MINI/BMW needs to have brought to their attention and addressed!

[HarryHBMCC]

Yes, you can check the power steering fluid -- I was shown by a service tech the other day. It is (on the MC at least, not sure about MCS) the black container to the right (when looking from the front of the car) of the coolant bottle. Unscrew the top and lift it up but don't flip it over (or else the fluid will dribble down to ruin the 'reading') and you'll see two marks for MIN and MAX on a stubby sort of stick that comes down. The fluid level should be between the marks.

The tech remarked that it took 'special' fluid so read the manual or get it from the dealer to make sure you get the right kind. Not really sure if that was a standard line or not but better safe than sorry with the special EHS on the MINI.

Harry

[cooper4us]

Hmmm, the USA MINI owner's manual completely omits any mention of the Power Steering reservoir, dipstick or even the type of fluid used. They seem not to want anyone messing around with the steering fluid.

[sjbartnik]

cooper4us, that's the impression I got too. I sure as hell wouldn't dump regular p/s fluid or ATF in there. I suspect you can only use the BMW/MINI stuff which is likely Pentosin but I wouldn't add that until I had absolute confirmation.

Besides, if you have to add some, you've got a leak anyway so you need to take care of that first

[HarryHBMCC]

Quote:

Originally posted by cooper4us
Hmmm, the USA MINI owner's manual completely omits any mention of the Power Steering reservoir, dipstick or even the type of fluid used. They seem not to want anyone messing around with the steering fluid.

That's why I asked the tech to show me, no mention in the manual. My guess was wrong (forgot to ask what my guess was for, probably the air conditioner or something). My MINI's fluid level was fine and if it is ever low I'll definitely take it in before adding anything.

Harry