S2 Elise engine irregularity

[Ian350]

Over the last couple of days our K series engine Elise has been acting strangely. On starting its as if the battery has little charge. The warning lights flicker but then it bursts into life. The idle speed then races up and down like a police siren between 500 and 1500 rpm. The headlights come on by themself at the same time. Switching the engine on and off a few times eventually gets a "normal start". Any ideas please?

PS. The Mrs told me she drove to Tesco without having to use the accelerator!!!

[fiveoclockhero1]

Sounds like an earth problem

[Ian350]

Thanks for the suggestion.

However, quite amazingly the Mrs said to put a new battery on it and that has cured it! What a girl!

[timbo999]

I was just gonna say that the battery is goosed and a new battery would sort it... happened to mine a few years ago - a battery conditioner will stop it happening again if the car is little used...