The MINI Club of Ireland

Hi folks, just bought a 02 Mini Cooper with 65k miles for my girlfriend, and I'm running through a few issues. I've done a good bit of reading on here and some of the other Mini Forums but I said I 'd throw a few of them up here for your thoughts -

1. All 3 brake lights are not working. Checked the fuses under bonnet and in passenger footwell and they are fine. Bulbs are fine. I'm thinking brake pedal switch or a lose connection somewhere - any pointers here?

2. Power Steering whine. I've read that the electric pump is a very common failure on 02-07 cars, there is a whine coming from the pump that is a bit louder then normal but the steering is still working fine. The only other one I've driven had whining steering too, albeit not quite as loud. Do they normally whine or is it a sign that the pump is about to fail? I suppose I'm just trying to gauge whether or not to replace it now or is it likely to keep going for another good while.

3. Front Control Arm Bushes. The front control arm bushes (closest to the rear) are torn and they are clunking. I got a quote of 15 euro each from Otto, which is cheap, thankfully they can be replaced independantly of the entire control arm. Is this a tricky job or just bolt in / bolt out?

Thanks for reading

I don't know about 1&3, but for 2; The power steering whine is quite normal in the 02 (or R50) MINI's. Maybe video it on your phone, with someone turning the wheels and post it on youtube then link that here for us to understand exactly how loud it is.

Ger would be the one to answer about the other two.

Welcome to the forum

1. More than likely the brake light switch is faulty and as far as I know is by the brake pedal.

2. They are very whiny as normal. They have a certain life and need doing eventually but it sounds okay from what you are saying at the moment. If it does go, don't try and save money by using a reconditioned pump, just buy a new one.

3. These again go after a certain time and mileage.
They are not too expensive to buy BUT it is a big awful job to change them and requires you dropping the whole front subframe and the 4 bolts holding them in from the top WILL be seized........

I'm not sure what part of the country you are in but I would recommend O'Leary's Garage in Ballincollig Co.Cork.
They are Mini & MINI Specialists and know their stuff.
Many of their customers drive down from Dublin and further afield to just get their Mini or MINI serviced so I would heartily recommend them.
Contact Ger, whose username on here is Irlmin, on 021-4877158 or 086-8663828

Cheers lads, here is a video of the power steering whine - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR094Mw2 ... RMgIZZk7UQ

It only slightly whines when left idle, but then you hear the whine when turning the wheel.

Sounds totally normal to me
That's just a characteristic of them.

cool, I might run some new fluid through it to keep things fresh and help prolong it. What's this I heard about special mini power steering fluid? Can you buy in the motor factors?

Also, I ran a multimeter across the car to try and find the brake light problem and I think I have it diagnosed as the switch, it's my first time using a multi meter but there was not power at the lights, but power going to the switch. I switched to ohms (spelling?) and checked the switch and I was getting no continuity... I think they are cheap so will pick one up tomorrow.

As Ferg said, the steering sounds normal. The power steering fluid is a yellow type, which last time I tried to get some from a motor factors they said I would have to go to a dealer.

Well new brake pedal switch installed but lights are still out.

I had the mechanic run a diagnostic and no problems reported.

I've heard of the modules or diode in the fuse panel giving in problems -anyone heard of this problem before?

wet carpet found with corroded diode mentioned over on Mini2. Fingers crossed its the problem, the BC Module is dry, thank god.

turned out to be body control module / connectors, caused by water leak - bulkhead grommit and a pillar / door seals.

Pain in the hole ... carpets out etc

Ouch