13 replies to this topic

[Goldfinger]

Battery flat from winter storage. Recharge battery all fine car starts on first fire

No accelerator pedal car in limp mode !!!!!! Aggggh

Last year I had a new ECU repaired the engine loom with a replacement part renewed all wiring and put on a new pedal

There are no connectors to wiggle as they have been replaced so either I go back through all of the wiring again and ensure that there are no lose connections anywhere although why a couple of months of dry storage would have caused the problem

Or there is a more simple reason for the issue. Any ideas anyone, before I terminate the little stupid plastic piece of ............

[Nev]

Too many clueless owners tinkering, not enough maintenance, previosuly stored outside, overheating engine bay/gearboxes etc etc.

 

If you own your own car you can avoid a lot of the pitfalls. For instance I have always been very careful of my electical/loom system, handling it gently and cleaning contacts etc and as a consequence (touch wood) I've never ever had an electrical issue.

 

Edited by Nev, 29 February 2016 - 11:05 AM.

[JG]

They aren't really very fragile at all .

 

They very rarely go wrong, the mechanicals are very strong, engine, transmission at so on.

 

Many of them are relentlessly (and rightly) driven on track, often with 50,60 or 70% more power than they were designed with. Example Martin did 108 track days before his engine gave up, and I think we would acknowledge, on an oil change a year.

I've lost count, but I think I'm up to 25, all original mechanicals, regularly serviced, and that's about it.

 

Mine has coped with 6 months off the road, every year for 8 years. Its fine everytime I restart it.

 

The looms have they their issues, but again its pretty rare.

[fezzasus]

The exposed bodywork does kill the wiring verses it's original design (most items are taken straight out of a vectra), but I stand by JGs assessment that they're not fragile cars.

[stu8v]

Imho lack of use is the biggest killer.

[Goldfinger]

A little bit of head scratching and some patience and I found the culprit. I retraced the wiring I had replaced and found one of the connectors had not been closed correctly and when I opened the bonnet a small operation in itself, I had manged to catch the wire and that had been enough to break the circuit. Accelerator back and first drive of the Year, the fun pays itself back for (some) of the stress.

 

I do agree with your comments though, a lot of the problem is down to previous tinkering by owners and some dodgy repairs being made probably by auto electricians that should know better !!

[P11 COV]

I wouldn't say they are fragile. Yes mine has had the odd problem now and again but its a 13 year old car, 70,000 miles, highly tuned and has done dozens of trackdays. Only broke down on me once in 8 years and that was just a blown fuse. Pretty solid car in my opinion.

Edited by P11 COV, 01 March 2016 - 12:22 AM.

[Tommo]

Mine couldn't be further from fragile.  

 

15 years old/67k miles and you'd never tell!

 

I think as long as you look after them they are incredibly reliable.  admittedly mine is stored in a garage for 6 months of the year and religiously serviced/looked after but it always wakes up from its autumn/winter hibernation at the first press of the button and touch wood has never given me any more trouble than a few knackered sensors and a new header tank.

 

 

[Wolfstone]

^^^^ yeah that. 12 years and 76k and it's been the most reliable car I've owned in 34 years of driving.

[ginek]

In my view - having N/A version - this is most reliable trustworthy car I had so far. 

 

Apart the battery problem, which is my fault, I tend to left it draining for several months. Nothing failed seriously. It doesn't rust. It's waiting quietly in my garage and when the sun is out, I just push the button and enjoy.

 

Given the fact I drive less than 2000 kilometers per year, it works reliably as a bicycle.

 

[QoY]

After owning a Grinnall Scorpion for 10 years and having brake failure atop the Alps, drive failure at the bottom of the Pyrenees I am very pleased with the VX. Trust it to get me there and back safely.

[GiGo]

Battery flat from winter storage. Recharge battery all fine car starts on first fire

No accelerator pedal car in limp mode !!!!!! Aggggh

Last year I had a new ECU repaired the engine loom with a replacement part renewed all wiring and put on a new pedal

There are no connectors to wiggle as they have been replaced so either I go back through all of the wiring again and ensure that there are no lose connections anywhere although why a couple of months of dry storage would have caused the problem

Or there is a more simple reason for the issue. Any ideas anyone, before I terminate the little stupid plastic piece of ............

 

Did you check the connector under the header tank and clean up the connectors? Normal problem with outside storage, happened to mine when it was outside.

[johni]

Battery flat from winter storage. Recharge battery all fine car starts on first fire No accelerator pedal car in limp mode !!!!!! Aggggh Last year I had a new ECU repaired the engine loom with a replacement part renewed all wiring and put on a new pedal There are no connectors to wiggle as they have been replaced so either I go back through all of the wiring again and ensure that there are no lose connections anywhere although why a couple of months of dry storage would have caused the problem Or there is a more simple reason for the issue. Any ideas anyone, before I terminate the little stupid plastic piece of ............

[johni]

Absolutely nothing to do with Lotus build quality???? Or where these assembled in a lab at some secret location we all don't know about??