Check engine light need help

[kalaydjian]

Need help on my 90 SE check engine light comes on for 5 minutes then goes off then comes back on for couple of minutes and other days the check light does not come on at all, what can it be any ideas.

[rjjuge]

break down and buy freescan like I did from LEW.

I'm waiting (im)patiently for mine to come in. Should be here any day, but the tool, for under $200 US, seems invaluable..

[Paula&Marcus]

Hi Alain,
Could be almost everything ... Freescan will tell you what exactly it is. You need the ALDL-interface-cable and the "Freescan" software.
Look: http://freudhoefer.de/lotus/esprit/products/code_reader/index.htm

Cheers
Marcus (www.PUKesprit.de)

[paul c]

Again, Freescan
Will give you the fault code and identify the area/
component to look at. like pointing someone out in a crowd!!!

The LEW kit with software, lead and manual is great value. If you don't understand any other aspect of it, getting the fault code is EASY and in doing so the kit will have paid for itself by stopping the relacement of components that are fine, and saving you a saturday of poking around things unrelated to the problem...

www.lotusespritworld.co.uk/EMaintenance/freescan.html

[andrewp1989]

Guessing on the actual electrical solution is not too difficult if you source some inexpensive switches/senders at the local autowreckers. Freescan is all but impossible to get here in Canada, so I've tried the autowrecker route.

Based on your description, if "could" be the O2 sensor.

Just a guess though.

AP

[jk1]

andrewp1989 said:

Freescan is all but impossible to get here in Canada, so I've tried the autowrecker route. AP

Why is Freescan impossible to get in Canada? You can download it off the net.

Jim

[karmavore]

Canada is banning imported Freescan. Something about bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

Luke.

[arium]

Yup:

Free program and the interface was/is quite straightforward. I built mine into a db9 connector using just a npn switching transistor and a few resistors and diode I believe. Up and running for under $2.00 in materials total. Canadian $ even. Since I did not have the amphenol connector for the aldl end I just chose to match the color of my leads with that of the connector and crimped on male pins to prevent fraying. Maybe not the best way but is only three leads.

Maybe the $200.00 comes with further documentation and looks nicer; but my way was doable on the very day I needed to troubleshoot. It has never skipped a beat.

Sanjaya Vatuk hosts (or used to) a workable schematic with pics on his site although I am sure other ways of providing level translation are readily available as well.

Steve

[Dr.Hess]

When Freescan is Outlawed, only Outlaws will have Freescan.

Dr.Hess

[paul c]

arium said:

Maybe the $200.00 comes with further documentation and looks nicer

I have a home made lead AND the LEW lead,
Both work, the LEW one though is much better
put together and indeed looks nicer too

The further documentation is the freescan manual.
This is not the software (but a disc with that on is in the box),
but is a manual on how to use and understand freescan,
what the codes mean, common faults, symtoms etc.
Being fairly naive in terms of ECU's AND laptops,
this manual was vital to my understanding of the
whole thing, and the fact i understood it is testament
to how well it is written.

Most of the Check light/ecu questions and problems we see on the various lotus fora, are covered in this manual.

Has saved me loads of time so far,
(time spent better in the front of the Esprit )