First Issue - EML + ESP Warnings + Limp Home

First Issue - EML + ESP Warnings + Limp Home

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GaryF

Original Poster:

974 posts

260 months

Friday 9th September 2022
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Had my first hiccup with the Exige last week (it's a 2019 Sport 350). I was pootling along and had two warning lights illuminate steadily - ESP & EML.

This was also accompanied by the car going into 'limp home' mode (limted performance and revs restricted to ~2,500 rpm. After a few resarts the ESP light went out and noraml running ensued, albeit with the EML still lit. It then also went out and all seemed well. Unfortunately, last night the same circumstances retuned - both warnings and limp home mode.

Any suggestions / similar issues? I've contacted B&C and waiting for their service dept to call back. Normal course of action would be to tke the car back there and plug it in for diagnostics, but they are an eight hour drive and 3 hour ferry crossing away as I'm in NI. We have also recently lost our Lotus dealership so a little stuck.

The car is still under warranty so if needing work would like to get that done FOC which may entail travel - I dont know how Lotus are with an indie doing warranty work? Probably not allowed?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Douvre777

78 posts

83 months

Friday 9th September 2022
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Hi Gary,

If it's just for a service by any official lotus dealer, I know there's the service centre in Northwich. Guessing that'd be nearer if ferry route's going from NI to Liverpool?

Best ringing up to double check it'll be FOC.

GaryF

Original Poster:

974 posts

260 months

Friday 9th September 2022
quotequote all
The Belfast to Liverpool ferry is an eight hour crossing - hard to believe, I know. Dublin to Holyhead or Belfast to Cairnryan are faster, but not ideal for B&C, but other Lotus dealers do indeed exist (though the Scottish one has some poor reviews that I've read). B&C supplied the car. It's manufacturer warranty is about to expire but B&C provide a one year warranty from purchse back in March.

So looking for info on what the cause might be - if something simple, may be able to get it sorted here locally via TVR specilist / expert in all things mechanical if his diagnostic equipment can read the codes, though I don't particularly want to pay for this when the car is under warranty

It may be best to take it back to B&C and endure the long trip if it's ok to drive it that far... r pick another Lotuse dealer / service agent closer to Cairnryan or Holyhead if there are any recommended ones.

GaryF

Original Poster:

974 posts

260 months

Friday 9th September 2022
quotequote all
Got the call back from B&C Service who were very friendly and helpful. They have suggested the issue will be the brake light switch on brake pedal assembly.

Considerig the distance, they are happy that I take it to a trusted local garage to read the codes to make sure, and will then get a replacement sorted.

Edited by GaryF on Friday 9th September 14:26

BertBert

19,699 posts

218 months

Friday 9th September 2022
quotequote all
GaryF said:
Got the call back from B&C Service who were very friendly and helpful. They have suggested the issue will be the brake light switch on brake pedal assembly.

Considerig the distance, they are happy that I take it to a trusted local garage to read the codes to make sure, and will then get a replacement sorted.

Edited by GaryF on Friday 9th September 14:26
Been here with my Evora. Brake light switch is the standard failure, but mine was some corroded wiring in the ABS system somewhere. Just needed done connectors taking off and be ones fitting.

Douvre777

78 posts

83 months

Friday 9th September 2022
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Result smile

GaryF

Original Poster:

974 posts

260 months

Friday 9th September 2022
quotequote all
I also found this technical bulletin which advocates sparying the plunger of the brake light switch with silicon grease to stop it sticking - I'm going to try that first :-

https://www.lotustalk.com/attachments/application-...

And if that desn't work, it appears you can adjust the plunger to operate the correct 'stages' of cruise control off and brake lights on / ABS brake pressure registered, though without the Lotus diagnostic equipment to sense this during setup, it could be a bit hit or miss :-

https://www.lotustalk.com/attachments/brake-switch...

GaryF

Original Poster:

974 posts

260 months

Monday 12th September 2022
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On Saturday, I ventured into the confines of the driver's footwell. I removed the brake light switch, cleaned the spade contacts, lubricated the plunger with silicon grease and (I think crucially), ajdusted it by one click to extend it as I felt it was marginal as regards keeping the switch open with the brake pedal in its home position.

I did over three hundred miles yesterday on a trip to Killarney and all is well. Both warning lights are now extinguished and back to full power. So hopefully that's it sorted. The part in question is a GM one.

GaryF

Original Poster:

974 posts

260 months

Friday 16th September 2022
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Another 300+ miles back today with no further issues, so confident it was related to the brake light switch. Thanks to Phil at B&C for the telephone diagnosis thumbup