Sorry if this has been posted in the past. My car is an 02 Mini Cooper S. Whenever I turn the car off a fan on the radiator side of the vehicle turns on and continues on. My friend and I then pull out the second 50 amp fuse from the back red and the fan turns off. Trying to diagnose if this issue is related to the power steering pump the power steering fan or is it a faulty radiator switch. Any information you have is much appreciated.

Anyone want to buy an 02 S?

 

I'm no mechanic, but I think that's normal.

 

It is not normal and it is fairly common. I don't remember what the problem was but I do think it is the fans and the thermal switches built into the fans. It is not a simple or cheap fix if I remember. My '03 had the problem and it was fixed under warranty.

What is normal is that sometimes the fans stay on for a bit after a spririted run or hill climb. But the fan eventually goes off. In my case, and I suspect yours, they don't go off.

There may be a thread on this as I said it was a common problem on the 02's and 03's.

Rich

 

the fan stays on for a lil' bit after you have driven the car hard or on a really hot day and turned it off w/out letting it cool down- thats normal.

but if it stays on for a long time(over 5min.) then you probably have a bad fan motor. it's not that hard to replace if you are mech. inclined.

if you wanna tackle it yourself hit me with a pm and i can walk you thru it!

 

I think we have isolated the problem but need reassurance.
If the power steering is intact then chances are it is not the power steering pump or the power steering fan? So then we have narrowed it down to a faulty radiator fan switch or faulty motors for the radiator. Can anyone describe where this switch may be?

Thanks

-pd

 

There is no 'radiator fan switch' in the strictest sense. Instead, the coolant temp sensor is used by the ECU for multiple systems. It is used to regulate fuel delivery, create an indication on the temp gauge and to operate the fan. There is a relay in the underhood fuse box that does the actual switching of the power to the fan when the ECU calls for cooling. There is also a second relay mounted on the fan bracket that changes the speed from low to high depending on demand from the ECU.

 

Joey1320 My name is Ron and I have an '03 MC 1 and need to replace my cooling fan....would U walk me thru it? Ron

 

My '03 MCS will occasionally do this after heating up, spirited driving, etc. (I turn car off, a minute later the power steering fan cycles on.) If I just turn the car back on briefly, the fan will shut off permanently. A lot of the 02s and 03s apparently do this.

 

The "final stage" unit for this fan is in the motor, replacing the fan will fix your problem. This is very common.
--Dan

 

I do the same thing...works each time..