idling problem

daveskerr · Post by **daveskerr** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 11:47 pm

Hi guys,

Took a wee run over to my girlfriends tonight, car was running fine on the way there.When I came out, the car started fine but then proceeded to struggle to idle at the usual 1k revs. The car just dies at 1k or below but above that it seems to feel ok albeit slightly rougher than usual and slightly down on power.

Has this anything to do with the temperature affecting the idle control valve (Coldest its been (-2) since getting the car in march.)?

Slightly worried as this is all i'm needing.

Car is a 2005 elise 111s.

Thanks

robin · Post by **robin** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 1:05 am

9/10 likely to be the TPS confusing the ECU into thinking that you really are trying to drive the car like that; disconnect it and see what happens. Also you can do the pedal dance to reset it ... ignition on, 10 fast complete pumps of the pedal, ignition off, wait 30s, see whether it's any better.

Cheers,
Robin

daveskerr · Post by **daveskerr** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:28 am

Got up this morning to find the MIL light now on and the car running rough as a badgers. Feels really lumpy and rough up to 2k revs then clears. Seems to be trying to idle now but at something crazy like 500 revs.

Didnt want to risk it so its still sitting in the drive.

Tried the fast pedal dance last night to no avail. So I will try the throttle position sensor. How do I go about disconnecting it? Does it still sound symptomatic of a TPS problem?

Cheers

David

2F45T4U · Post by **2F45T4U** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:50 am

does it get any better/worse depending on engine temperature or is it constantly sh*t?

robin · Post by **robin** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 11:53 am

To disconnect it, turn off the ignition, wait 30s, locate the TPS on the side of the throttle - you'll see it has a three pin plug - there's a wire spring clip around the plug that needs to be depressed, then plug will pull off with minimal force - if it won't come, it's because you have depressed the spring clip far enough.

Very much like this one:

In this case you would push the wire spring clip at the bottom of the picture up to release the connector.

Cheers,
Robin

daveskerr · Post by **daveskerr** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 12:21 pm

It is constantly sh*t but it seemed a lot worse from cold if that makes sense.

Last night it was clean from 1k revs up, now its lumpy up to about 2k when cold.

Will check the TPS tonight after work! What can I do if this is the cause of the problems?

tuscan_thunder · Post by **tuscan_thunder** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 12:38 pm

dunno about the S2 but my S1 does this sometimes - I take out the Idle Air Control Valve, douse it in carb cleaner then give it a coating of silicone grease. Hold it in your hand and get someone to start the car to check it's working.

robin · Post by **robin** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 12:45 pm

If it's broken, replace it with another one; fitted to many Rover cars, so you should be able to get one from a reasonable parts place (i.e. not Halfords) - or just get Ali to order and fit while you wait - they're not that expensive, but they are delicate and a bit fiddly to fit.

Cheers,
Robin

daveskerr · Post by **daveskerr** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 7:18 pm

Car has now been carted off to Murray motors for Bill to look at.

May as well make use of my remaining warranty and breakdown assistance!!

Edin430 · Post by **Edin430** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:26 pm

Bill always manages to make the warranty mean sh*t when I go there

Everything is "unfortunately not covered" even though my Abraxas warranty is the most extensive you can get for the lotus

Andy G · Post by **Andy G** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 12:33 pm

mate - I'd give Ali a call on 07961445483 if they are talking about charging you - suspect it might save you a return trip also

daveskerr · Post by **daveskerr** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 9:11 pm

Spoke to Murray Mo Co today and they think that it might be a blown fuse that is related to the VVC. Unfortunately they "weren't 100% sure", so I am now waiting for Lotus to get back to them regarding this.

Why not just change the blown fuse and see what happens FFS??

Edin430 · Post by **Edin430** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 11:09 pm

They will prob charge you for the fuse as well as warranty doesn't usually cover electric related problems

(Didn't when my stack unit failed)

Ali is your man..

roadboy · Post by **roadboy** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 4:54 pm

daveskerr wrote:Spoke to Murray Mo Co today and they think that it might be a blown fuse that is related to the VVC. Unfortunately they "weren't 100% sure", so I am now waiting for Lotus to get back to them regarding this.

That souns like a load of sh*t to me. The VVC mechanism is very unlikley to affect how the car idles.

I'd put my money on either the idle control valve or the lambda sensor.

Dan@JPS

daveskerr · Post by **daveskerr** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:24 pm

Spoke to them today and apparently they dont have a c@nts clue whats wrong with it. They have been on the fone all day to lotus and they dont have a clue either. Superb.