Scottish Elises

Not sure I want to post this in case I get a scary answer....

Did about 600miles at the weekend ( mega) but on the way home from Skye the temp display just never came on. It was stopped and restarted 2/3 times but still didn't appear. I kept nice and easy obviously and have checked the coolant which is normal ( both level and the fact its clear and red). The engine doesn't show any obvious signs of overheating and performed perfectly. There was no sitting in traffic though so not sure if the fan will kick in when it should.

I'm thinking it's either a glitch which will sort itself or a sensor issue? Maybe earth problem? I replaced both the blue and brown temp sensors about 12 months ago and its worked fine ever since.

I'll go check the sensor connections tonight then let the car sit for 5 and see if it heats up.Anyone had anything similar?

Most likely a sensor or wiring issue. Blue sensor for the dash on an S1.

When the sensors start to fail they tend to read colder over time so most likely wiring.

There is only one wire goes to the blue sensor. Can't remember the colour off the top of my head. It then goes the Enhine Harness Connector 1 (the blue one next to the ECU) direct to the stack.

Usually the wire gets brittle due to the heat from the exhaust and snaps off right next to the sensor plug.

If this has happened give me a shout as I have some plugs with lengths of wire on you could use for a repair.

HTH

Dan

Thanks, I'll have a look tonight and see if I can spot anything obvious.

Should still give a display though even if the sensor is dead short or open circuit - no?

Don't think so, The S1 only displays once it gets above a certain temperature ( 40/50?) so when you first put it on then there's normally nothing there, then it heats up and the display kicks in.

What is the routine on the Honda Dan?

Mine used to be intermittent but has gone completely now. Don't bother as it is a Honda but may as well sort it out.

tut

Should be the same Tut but depends on the conversion. With yours being an early one I'm not so sure.

Dan

Sorry yes, you are correct.

tut wrote:
Mine used to be intermittent but has gone completely now. Don't bother as it is a Honda but may as well sort it out.

There's a message in there...! Just cos it's a Honda does not mean it can be ignored. If you are stuck in traffic long enough and your rad fan turns out to be cuffed, the first you would know is when the thing boils over

Dan remember on mine it wasn't the sensors, but the thermosat that had stuck open.

Yes Stu, yours was a strange one but the S2 doesn't display temperature till it reaches 70 degrees. On the S1 it comes on at 45 so even if the stat was stuck open it would still run higher than that.

Don't why the S2s don't display the temp till 70 degrees. Bloody stupid if you ask me.

Dan

Yeah it's the blue wire which is broken. Phew, nothing expensive then and safe to drive meantime.

Dan have you got spare wire mate? No major rush for it but it's now on my to do list

Kev

Fire me a PM with your address and I'll get one in the post.

Dan

I wonder if it's the same type of plug (different colour) used on the last Classic 'Mpi' Minis

The wiring tends to go faulty on them, so the plug (brown) and wiring repair is(was) available from Rover/Xpart along with this service bulletin.

http://www.mcdonald-minis.co.uk/Images/x8479bu.pdf

On the Mini it is more serious, as it feeds the ECU, and goes into "half warm" limp home mode.

Only one wire to the Blue Plug Jamie but that plug may well be the correct fit and you could just use one of the pins