Elise K series non start issue

Elise K series non start issue

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Discussion

Jockeycav

Original Poster:

12 posts

144 months

Wednesday 26th January 2022
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Well lads, im Mark. havent been on here in a while. Im in the process of starting to search for an Exige so a week ago i decided to get my 2005 Elise K series running and prepare for sale. Car had not been started for 3 months, yet as normal it started on the first turn. I decided to leave it running for a while but after 10 mins of normal idling the engine stalled and would not restart, turning but no attempt at firing. MFR is about 8 years old so i got a brand new one today but the exact same issue remains. Can any of ye experienced good souls shed some light on my problem?! ;-)

mr shoddy

111 posts

131 months

Wednesday 26th January 2022
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check the distributor cap. it may be damp inside

Jockeycav

Original Poster:

12 posts

144 months

Wednesday 26th January 2022
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Many thanks Rob, will let you know tomorrow how i get on

Jim H

1,137 posts

196 months

Thursday 27th January 2022
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Distributor cap? Hmmm? All electronic ignition and coil packs.

I doubt you’ll find a distributor.

Have you had the battery disconnected all this time? I’ve been informed that the ecu can lose its ‘Map’ in such situations.

Jockeycav

Original Poster:

12 posts

144 months

Thursday 27th January 2022
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Yes Jim, battery was out of car. The engine has not started since it stalled the last time whilst idling

BertBert

19,701 posts

218 months

Thursday 27th January 2022
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Probably need to plug it in and read diag codes. Can be painful with the k. May need the river testbook thing.

Sounds likely to be a sensor failure, TPS or crank pos sensor. Possibly an ecu fuse for some reason

Jockeycav

Original Poster:

12 posts

144 months

Thursday 27th January 2022
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In the engine bay alongside the ECU i have a bank of 3 fuses, two 20A which are fine and one 7.5A which has no power at all with ignition turned on

Jim H

1,137 posts

196 months

Thursday 27th January 2022
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Jockeycav said:
In the engine bay alongside the ECU i have a bank of 3 fuses, two 20A which are fine and one 7.5A which has no power at all with ignition turned on
Is that fuse blown? Or is there no power getting to one side of it?

I was going to suggest MFRU, as that is the only thing that has tripped up my Elise in 19 years.

It’s got to be something simple as there is not a lot to go wrong.

Most importantly? Are you on SELOC? Some seriously clued up Elise folk on there and it’s well populated. It draws a bigger audience than here.

If I’m ever stuck, which is rare, seloc is the first place I go.

Hope you get it sorted.

I’ll keep looking. As mentioned above, a sensor could have gone down, crank angle or something like that.

You really should get the codes read to avoid a lot of wasted time and money.

Dixy

3,140 posts

212 months

Thursday 27th January 2022
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Stupid question but have you checked it actually has fuel rather than it telling you it has 30 litres. Dont ask me why I suggest this.

Jockeycav

Original Poster:

12 posts

144 months

Thursday 27th January 2022
quotequote all
Jim, the 7.5A fuse is not blown and there is no power going to either side of the connection with ignition switched on but i was unable to check it whilst turning the engine, but it is curious. Yep im on Seloc, will log in this evening and post, also im hoping to get the codes read on saturday
Dixy, absolute valid point! i put an extra gallon in yesterday before starting troubleshooting, i have fuel pressure either side of the fuel filter which i took to be a good sign?

kambites

68,437 posts

228 months

Thursday 27th January 2022
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Is the MIL on?

Jockeycav

Original Poster:

12 posts

144 months

Thursday 27th January 2022
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kambites said:
Is the MIL on?
Carl when i turn on ignition yes and whilst turning the engine over

Jim H

1,137 posts

196 months

Friday 28th January 2022
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Morning Mark,

Let us know how you get on with SELOC, I’d be interested to know any progress - it all goes in the memory bank.

It’s good also you’ve drawn Kambites attention- he is very knowledgeable.

The reason I mentioned the battery disconnection? I always disconnect the battery on mine during non-use. And have done for the last 15 years after losing too many batteries. I was warned by someone that the ECU should always have a power source.

I start mine up about once a month and warm it through and engage gears etc and roll it backwards and forwards.

A seem to remember one time I did this a few months ago, left it running, and it stalled after a few minutes. I was very shocked as it had never done this before - however it fired up again immediately.

I have also sometimes experienced a bit of an erratic idle during these events eventually to settle, so there maybe some credence on the ECU re-learning it’s map.

I hope you get it sorted!

Jockeycav

Original Poster:

12 posts

144 months

Friday 28th January 2022
quotequote all
Jim H said:
Morning Mark,

Let us know how you get on with SELOC, I’d be interested to know any progress - it all goes in the memory bank.

It’s good also you’ve drawn Kambites attention- he is very knowledgeable.

The reason I mentioned the battery disconnection? I always disconnect the battery on mine during non-use. And have done for the last 15 years after losing too many batteries. I was warned by someone that the ECU should always have a power source.

I start mine up about once a month and warm it through and engage gears etc and roll it backwards and forwards.

A seem to remember one time I did this a few months ago, left it running, and it stalled after a few minutes. I was very shocked as it had never done this before - however it fired up again immediately.

I have also sometimes experienced a bit of an erratic idle during these events eventually to settle, so there maybe some credence on the ECU re-learning it’s map.

I hope you get it sorted!
Good morning Jim, to be fair i have received more input from here than Seloc so far. But i will definitely share if and when i find a solution!

Jim H

1,137 posts

196 months

Friday 28th January 2022
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Mark, not sure if you have an owners manual and maybe this is of help?



Also, I’ve just been digging around on my old pre historic lap-top. I’ve found a full Lotus S2 Service manual document (someone kindly sent from SELOC. It’s huge!

It will certainly help with fault code reading.
Now how I can get it to you is another matter?

Maybe a pm and e-mail address?

Bear in mind it took about half an hour to fire up my lap-top - it’s very clunky!

snotrag

14,928 posts

218 months

Friday 28th January 2022
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Jim - I'm not the OP but I would like a copy please if possible!




As for the OP - go with the basics. Are the plugs fouled up because its run rich? Take them out and inspect.

When you turn it over, whats happening - is fuel going in? Do you get a spark? Both easy to check,


(Is there any fuel in it!)?

Jockeycav

Original Poster:

12 posts

144 months

Friday 28th January 2022
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Jim you are very very good for going to all that effort! I have checked both those fuses and power either side. Will send you a pm now with my email

Jim H

1,137 posts

196 months

Friday 28th January 2022
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Mark / Simon.

You should have the Service Manual now.

Let me know if it came through, I only have a short working window on my laptop before it grinds to a halt!!!

Tonnes of info in that manual.

Get back to be if you didn’t receive.

davidexige

512 posts

213 months

Friday 28th January 2022
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Can you hear the fuel pump prime when you put the ignition on? not sure if it'd the same on your car but on my old S1 Exige you could hear this, I seem to remember there were a few problems with fuel pumps and associated wiring, which I guess would give symptoms similar to what you describe.

Jockeycav

Original Poster:

12 posts

144 months

Friday 28th January 2022
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Yes Jim i have received and i mailed you back, thanks