I purchased a 2004 used Mini with 75k miles last October from a local dealership. In April 2010 the PowerSteering quit working and I chose to park her instead of fixing bc I was trying to buy a house. A few weeks later I went to move it and the Power Steering worked and has been fine since! Last night I went to start the Mini and NOTHING. After hooking up to another car to jump she started getting some juice but would NOT take a jump start!
Has anyone experienced this? Or have ANY idea what could be wrong?

 

I'd say start with a new battery. that will probably solve it for you.

 

I agree take the battery out and have it tested. If its bad replace if its good recharge using a charger and try again.

if it starts try checking the voltage across the battery terminals to make sure your alternator is doing its job.

how long did the car sit between starting and not starting?

 

I agree, sounds like the battery. Cheap enough fix but have it tested first at a reliable station or mechanic.

 

Sitting for an extended period could have wrecked the battery. That'd be my guess too.

 

I don't think the MINI likes to be jumped, I've never had any luck doing it.....take the batery out, have it charged, tested, then charged again.

The power steering situation is a whole nother matter, it's powered by a brush type DC motor and those brushes wear out, when they do and stop making contact, the power steering doesn't work.

Also, the power steering has a cooling fan, if it quits and the power steering heats up, it will shut down till it cools off again.

Likewise, if the fan fails and blows the fuse, it can shut down the power steering. You have a number of possibilites, you either need to go to the dealer or to a good independent in your area who is familiar with MINIs to get this solved.

 

Yup sounds like you need a battery.

Be on the watch, the P/S will probaly die again. It's pretty common for them become intermitent, if that is the case it will need to be replaced.

 

oops

 

Buy a Black and Decker battery charger ( I'll suggest the automatic) and charge you battery. The chargers are good also for regular maintenance, as your car alternator is kind of a fast charge and in order to extend the life of the battery it is good to do a "slow" charge ( 6-12hrs). Check the battery indicator sight ( green = charged, black=needs to be charged, yellow=battery replacement)