Power steering totally cut out

[oldnell]

I'm hoping someone can give me some guidance here. I've searched for a few hours and been testing various things as far as I can without being able to get under the car.

As I was driving home from work and going round a roundabout (just the moment you want your PAS to fail not), the power steering suddenly and without warning failed. I managed to drive home (taking a slight detour because I couldn't make the right turn on a roundabout).

I've swapped round all the 30A and the two 50A fuses, and the fault remains, so I know the fuses are OK.

The power steering fluid is between the top two notches on the dipstick.

There is no whine to be heard. Sometimes I can hear something like a whine when I move the steering wheel hard, but it's definitely not the characteristic Mini whine.

My instinct tells me it's electrical because of the immediate and total failure, and the fact I still have fluid, but then I'm no mechanic so I'm open to ideas.

I'm not sure exactly where the PS fan is located, but I don't believe this is accessible without getting under the car.

I have a Jan 03 build Mini One, by the way. I'm out of warranty. Am I best off going to my local dealer and trying to get them to ask BMW to cover parts? Anyone tried using a non-BMW garage?

I'm really hoping I'm not going to be without the car for too long, but fearing the worst.

If anyone's had to have their pump replaced, what was the damage (£)?

Cheers

Oldnell

Any suggestions.

[Root Ginger]

Almost certainly a power steering pump failure. They can happen over a length of time, suddenly, or be intermittent. Mine happened suddenly and then was intermittent for a few days 'til I had it sorted. It was either completely on or completely off and seemed to be totally random as to when it worked and when it didn't.

[oldnell]

Thanks, Root Ginger. Sounds like it has to be that, then.

I am now convinced that all cars are programmed to go wrong within a month of making the final payment on the loan. At least I can put the loan payment towards the fix.

Thanks again.

[kristy_TX]

Sorry to hear you are in the same boat as me. My pump did the intermittent thing for a week or so, and then finally died. I discovered this when the pump would no longer turn off when the car was shut off and it drained my battery completely.
The first dealer quoted me $1600 (US) to replace the pump. Second dealer said $950. I tried to go to 2 different non-Mini shops, and neither would touch it.
I was able to find the pump for about $420 (shipping included, with a $50 refundable Core charge.) I plan to do the install this weekend. From what I hear, it shouldn't be too bad. The Bentley manual explains how to do it.
Wish me luck!
I hope you have your Mini back and running soon!

[oldnell]

OK, so this is where I am with this.

The dealer diagnosed an electrical problem with the pump and the loom, requiring replacement of both parts.

I asked the dealer to go to the manufacturer for a goodwill payment to cover the cost of the parts.

BMW agreed to cover 30% of the cost of the part, which to be honest I find insulting.

Not much goodwill around these days in the land of Mini. I think I'll get rid of it before it starts costing me even more.

Guess what I won't be replacing it with.

[jez_MCSc]

Mine went a couple of weeks ago - luckily 2 months before the warranty ran out. Mini Emergency picked it up on Sunday night and had it back to me by 4pm on Monday, nearly stacked the car when the power steering went - definately very dodgy.

I'd be a little sceptical if I was out of warranty and was told that both the wiring and the pump had failed at the same time? Any idea about the amount it would cost yet? Think I was told about £465 for pump including labour. I would push for more if possible from MINI customer services directly as this is a known issue.

Good luck with it,
Jez

[burns863]

I have had my steering cut out about 4 times now over the past couple of months but its only ever when I am parking up or just setting off and pulling out of a space. Untill now I have kind of just hoped the problem will go away but I guess this is the wrong thing to do?

Its just I am really going to struggle to pay for a pump replacement. Even by going to 1320autos its still expensive. However that will probably be my only option as £150 (think thats what I was quoted including labour) is still miles cheaper than BMW!

So... should I leave it or get it checked out? I do around 600 motorway miles per week.

.........I'v just answerred my own question havent I?

[oldnell]

Quote: Originally Posted by jez_MCSc (original)

Any idea about the amount it would cost yet? Think I was told about £465 for pump including labour. I would push for more if possible from MINI customer services directly as this is a known issue.

I've been told £430 (that's including the discount for BMW's attempt at good will), but they had the cheek to quote me list price even after our previous discussion about my dealer's offer for 20% off labour and 10% off parts not covered by warranty.

So that takes it down to about £370. So, excluding the discounts, the dealer exceeded their estimate of £500. That is, unless they were quoting an ex VAT price, which would be very dodgy since I'm a consumer not a business.

All in all, not impressed at all with either BMW or my dealer.

[samnat]

had my mcs since dec 06, from my bro, its an 04 plate and the steering went sunday ! taken it in to mini today as still under warrenty by 10 days !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! not sure whats wrong with it but could make a pretty good guess as to the problem. should here from them mon/tue as to whats actually wrong.

[radfordmini]

I had a near death experience when my powersteering cut out at a busy roundabout last week. My car is out of warranty and the dealer wants £500 to fix a new pump! I told them not to repair it as i'm not going to pay for it. They are going to speak to MINI UK and get back to me. Had the same problem with my previous MCS and i paid nothing to have that fixed. I'm having alot of fun using my classic mini which seems to be more reliable than my MCS! Will let you know how it goes...R

[SteveBrass]

My niece had a problem with the power steering.

She was advised by a Mini dealership that a replacement was needed; however a local unofficial mini mechanic managed to solve it. I think some key parts just needed cleaning - in fact I'm pretty sure he took the pump off, gave it a whack to dislodge some muck and that was that.

So try an unofficial specialist?

[Humourl3ss]

A silly question perhaps: other than increased effort (especially at low speeds) are there any particular downsides to not replacing the power steering pump? Increased wear? Failure of other components? Corrupted steering feel?

[radfordmini]

Thanks for that SteveBrass. Unfortunately I couldn't find a local specialist (nearest one was miles away).

Humourl3ss have you ever tried steering 17 inch wheels without power assistance? Increased effort isn't how I would describe it (and I use to drive a non power assisted porsche 911 with big alloys previously)!

R

[Humourl3ss]

Truth be told the only car I ever had to drive without power steering was an old Datsun that weighed under 2,000 lbs. Having said that, effort always gets lighter with speed and low-speed parking is an opportunity for building up my forearms.

Seriously, though.... once you're under way is it really that bad? If anything shouldn't it improve steering feel?

[burns863]

Hmm... so before replacing the pump its worth having it cleaned up?