Most liked posts in thread: Aloha! 2005 R53 MCS battery light + dead PS pump

  1. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #8 Dave.0, Apr 22, 2015
    Take a picture and post.....


    Holding a charge is one thing but a load test will really test the battery.
     
  2. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #4 MCS02, Apr 22, 2015
    Check the battery. Take it to a parts store and have them do a load test on it. Minis with a bad battery do all sorts of flaky stuff. Start with the battery.
     
  3. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #9 MCS02, Apr 22, 2015
    Dave is correct a load test is the best way to check the battery
     
  4. Dave.0

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    #6 Dave.0, Apr 22, 2015
    How many miles are on your car? Because this could be many things like bad OEM battery at the end of its life, bad Alternator, bad or going bad OEM crank Pulley, failing PS pump or PS fan.

    Even if the Alternator in new if it is a rebuilt unit or non campatable OEM unit it can and may still fail.
     
  5. Canusrufis

    Canusrufis RMW Powered R53
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    #13 Canusrufis, Apr 23, 2015

    Heres the thread. Its F39 not F34. Happy to help... as is everyone else

    http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/cooper-s/21151-battery-light-illuminated-alternator-battery-test-good.html
     
  6. Canusrufis

    Canusrufis RMW Powered R53
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    #14 Canusrufis, Apr 23, 2015
    btw, that 100amp fuse for the pump I had to completely remove to test it. It was open (failed) but when screwed in place was testing good (continuity). It was simply shorted across the terminals when screwed in place. With a replaced pump and new fuse -- everything worked as it should. :D
     
  7. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

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    #2 ZippyNH, Apr 22, 2015
    failing alternator will turn on the light, then the ps pump is MADE to shut off...it has a sense wire...not enough alternator voltage, it simply turns off to help you get to your destination before the battery dies....
    first thing i would check is the alternator...
     
  8. BLKmini808

    BLKmini808 New Member

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    #3 BLKmini808, Apr 22, 2015
    Ic, I will check that first but would a failed PS pump also trigger that light?

    Reason why i'm asking is because the alternator is relatively new. (despite knowing these could break any time)
     
  9. MCS02

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    #5 MCS02, Apr 22, 2015
    More than likely no. My PS started to fail but I had no lights. After you check the battery check the bolt in the bot with the + on it under the hood this is a known problem spot, some times they get lose. Also make sure the battery terminals are clean and tight

    Let us know what you find
     
  10. BLKmini808

    BLKmini808 New Member

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    #7 BLKmini808, Apr 22, 2015
    Thanks everyone!

    I'm at 104,xxx miles. I did the battery check a couple days ago and it holds/charges fine. I will check the positive battery terminal in the front. It would be oh so sweet if it was as simple as a loose bolt! lol. I honestly had no idea there would be any effect from that guy.

    One thing that I did notice was a hashed wire/cable underneath the PS pump reservoir. It's under the positive terminal and hugging a aluminum cylindrical object. Does anyone know what that wire and that object is?
     
  11. BLKmini808

    BLKmini808 New Member

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    #10 BLKmini808, Apr 23, 2015
    Can anyone validate that a dead pump could trigger a battery light?
     
  12. Dave.0

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    #11 Dave.0, Apr 23, 2015
    Not that I am aware off but it could if you cant turn and hit a tree. (That's happened)
     
  13. Canusrufis

    Canusrufis RMW Powered R53
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    #12 Canusrufis, Apr 23, 2015
    yes it will. I've had the same issue as you when my PS pump went south. What happens is the battery is charged but quickly drains b/c the alternator charging the battery is "off" -- the system runs on the battery for a while until voltage drops. then the battery light. Theres a fuse under the dash - think its F34. If thats ok theres also a 100amp fuse under the bonnet for the ps pump. It the pump is gone it could burn this fuse (about $5-7 at local min shop). I'll try digging up my thread on this. I had to back probe the voltage from the pump to find the bad pump and the blown 100amp fuse. DON"T probe the red battery cable connected to the pump -- bad things will happen to the meter and probes.