144 replies to this topic

[fezzasus]

Oh well. The car no longer works. Something has blown. Now I be fcuked.

 

http://www.speedster...nd charging.pdf

 

Check the engine fuse.

[techieboy]

No obvious burning smell, though it's pretty windy here. Totally unresponsive currently. No ignition noises, no fuel pump priming, no annoying bleeping from my oil gauges, no throttle body check. Checked all accessible fuses (just the two hidden maxi's I can't get to). Alarm still works, interior and exterior lights still working. Just totally dead behind the driver. Fcuk sakes. I didn't even need another spare relay.

[WrightStuff]

 oh no. 

[fezzasus]

No obvious burning smell, though it's pretty windy here. Totally unresponsive currently. No ignition noises, no fuel pump priming, no annoying bleeping from my oil gauges, no throttle body check. Checked all accessible fuses (just the two hidden maxi's I can't get to). Alarm still works, interior and exterior lights still working. Just totally dead behind the driver. Fcuk sakes. I didn't even need another spare relay.

 

I'd unplug the engine fuse and leave it to sit for half an hour. 

 

Might also want to check the large fuses under the wiper motor. If you've tried to dump a high current somewhere silly (like to ground when you press the starter button), they may have put a stop to it.

 

If that doesn't work, dibs on the working relay

 

(Matt, i'll be in MK this weekend if you want me to pop over and do some trouble shooting, i'm aware this has likely saved me from doing the same thing so happy to help)

Edited by fezzasus, 27 July 2016 - 02:10 PM.

[techieboy]

Just pulled the two 50-amp maxi blades (or whatever they're called) and they both look fine. The two 20-amp boot fuses are fine. Everything in the fusebox looks good. Only things I haven't checked are the fused relays for the chargecooler pump and the wideband but can't see how they'd bugger anything else up as even if they fail, they shouldn't mess with anything else. Hope I haven't fried the ECU. Or if I have, that Peter can identify it for a replacement.

[fezzasus]

Check the voltage across the battery.

 

Now for the bad news, I know someone who either fitted an alternator with a damaged regulator, or a nut which touched the inlet casing (could have been either, result is the same) which dumped all the current into the chassis. This killed the battery but has also melted the main voltage distribution wiring. Same could have happened here, so might want to check resistance between the positive terminal on the battery and a chassis grounding point.

 

(the comfort is, Peter was happy to flash a new ECU in the event of that one being damaged)

[techieboy]

Yay. Life. Pulled the ignition services 10-amp fuse again and it sparked slightly as I pulled it. Luckily I had some spare fuses in the fusebox and tried another fresh 10-amp fuse and it's all back up and running. Original fuse looks okay, if a bit discoloured internally. Strangely, the ABS light is now on for the first time in living memory. Hopefully, it'll just reset itself after a few metres as there was no fault with it yesterday.

[techieboy]

Still doubtful for Zandvoort though.

[fezzasus]

Great news. That little saga read like a realisation that you actually like the fcuker.

[WrightStuff]

 

Shame I've just ordered one of those relays...that'll be going straight in the bin then!

 

Unfortunately you'll have to come to Zandvoort now.

[fezzasus]

Now. What do I do about a replacement start inhibit relay?

 

1. Wait for Lotus back order (yeah right)

2. bypass (how?)

3. ideas?

[WrightStuff]

I ordered one from EliseShop in Feb. Still hasn't arrived. 

[fezzasus]

I ordered one from EliseShop in Feb. Still hasn't arrived. 

 

Message from Deroure was that they are on back order without any restock date, probably because Lotus screwed their suppliers when they were broke.

 

Problem I have is I'm using a borrowed relay so could really do with a solution.

[smiley]

Still doubtful for Zandvoort though.

 

Stop doing that. You have to be there.

[techieboy]

Great news. That little saga read like a realisation that you actually like the fcuker.

 

Nah, not really. But I really really dislike not having it ready to roll at all times. That's why I effectively pay £5 a mile tax and insurance for it, despite the lack of annual mileage.  

Now. What do I do about a replacement start inhibit relay?   1. Wait for Lotus back order (yeah right) 2. bypass (how?) 3. ideas?

I rewired mine and use a grey relay instead, all the yellow relay does is stop the 'starter' button from working once the engine is running   But you do need to remember not to push the button when the engine is running

   

simple   Brown 2.5mm goes to pin 30   Brown/Red 2.5mm goes to pin 87   White/Red 0.5mm goes to pin 85   Green 0.5mm goes to pin 86

[techieboy]

Still doubtful for Zandvoort though.

  Stop doing that. You have to be there.

  If you could just tell my office that (and the cnuty ex-colleague that left me in the lurch by leaving).

[fezzasus]

 

Great news. That little saga read like a realisation that you actually like the fcuker.

 

Nah, not really. But I really really dislike not having it ready to roll at all times. That's why I effectively pay £5 a mile tax and insurance for it, despite the lack of annual mileage.  

Now. What do I do about a replacement start inhibit relay?   1. Wait for Lotus back order (yeah right) 2. bypass (how?) 3. ideas?

I rewired mine and use a grey relay instead, all the yellow relay does is stop the 'starter' button from working once the engine is running   But you do need to remember not to push the button when the engine is running

   

simple   Brown 2.5mm goes to pin 30   Brown/Red 2.5mm goes to pin 87   White/Red 0.5mm goes to pin 85   Green 0.5mm goes to pin 86

 

 

Ding! thank you - i've even got a spare grey relay.

 

But i will sh*t myself every time someone jokes 'what happens if I press the button' now.

 

Perhaps I should just wire it to start on the key? It really would save a lot of faffing around

[techieboy]

Perhaps I should just wire it to start on the key? It really would save a lot of faffing around

Would have helped my MOT inspector no end last Friday.

[oakmere]

First day I got mine I sat in a car park for 5 minutes wondering why my new car wouldn't start 😊

[vocky]

some other info in this thread http://www.vx220.org...-2#entry1898737