Starts without clutch?
Discussion
GUYS>> try a little to use the right words. This is embarassing to read.
The problem sounds like that the car will not Crank the starter motor without depressing the clutch. And there is no problem turning the key to the crank position.
To "start" a car you need the key turned to at least the Ignition Position, ( ignition ON ) then you need to turn the engine over ( with the starter or by rolling in gear ), if the car starts, the engine is now running.
I often hear people say "turn the car on" what does that mean?
Just me being a prick with too much time on my hands.. But sheesh,
Lotus-( expensive, british, stylish, etc....) not a bad place to use decent English here.. hahaha
Now what work was done on the car? If you want to get help from the board, we need information, I cannot read minds.
B
The problem sounds like that the car will not Crank the starter motor without depressing the clutch. And there is no problem turning the key to the crank position.
To "start" a car you need the key turned to at least the Ignition Position, ( ignition ON ) then you need to turn the engine over ( with the starter or by rolling in gear ), if the car starts, the engine is now running.
I often hear people say "turn the car on" what does that mean?
Just me being a prick with too much time on my hands.. But sheesh,
Lotus-( expensive, british, stylish, etc....) not a bad place to use decent English here.. hahaha
Now what work was done on the car? If you want to get help from the board, we need information, I cannot read minds.
B
If you want to call it something,, I would say STARTER defeat, not ignition defeat. The Ignition is the system that engergises the spark plugs. If the car wont crank, then it would be a starter defeat. I am sure that Lotus uses a different word.. they almost always do...
I am not being critical. But even though we probably are all thinking similar things, success is in the details.
Bruce
I am not being critical. But even though we probably are all thinking similar things, success is in the details.
Bruce
There is an interlock switch which prevents the car from starting unless the clutch is depressed. Somehow, the interlock switch is stuck in the closed position (that is, it thinks the clutch is depressed all time) and this allows you to start the car, even if it is in gear.
On your car I don't know where the interlock switch is - it may be on the floor near where the clutch would come to rest, or it may be further up in the footwell, where the clutch arm pivots.
Once you find the switch, it should be a simple matter to see whether it is simply stuck or to see whether it needs to be replaced.
-Dave
On your car I don't know where the interlock switch is - it may be on the floor near where the clutch would come to rest, or it may be further up in the footwell, where the clutch arm pivots.
Once you find the switch, it should be a simple matter to see whether it is simply stuck or to see whether it needs to be replaced.
-Dave
Edited by mr50bmg on Friday 16th June 04:46
Thanks Dave, I'll look for the switch.
For those that don't understand, in the US manual cars are equipped with a safety device that electronically disables the starter unless the clutch pedal is pressed. Mine isn't doing that.
Although it seems like most US Esprits either don't have this feature or it's not working properly.
For those that don't understand, in the US manual cars are equipped with a safety device that electronically disables the starter unless the clutch pedal is pressed. Mine isn't doing that.
Although it seems like most US Esprits either don't have this feature or it's not working properly.
gmendoza said:
For those that don't understand, in the US manual cars are equipped with a safety device that electronically disables the starter unless the clutch pedal is pressed. Mine isn't doing that.
Ah, I see. I always depress the clutch when I start the engine anyway, but making you have to do it is a good idea. A mate of mine once started his TVR when he thought it was in neutral and it lurched forward, hit a wall and took a big chunk of fibreglass out of the nose !
mr50bmg said:
There is an interlock switch which prevents the car from starting unless the clutch is depressed. Somehow, the interlock switch is stuck in the closed position (that is, it thinks the clutch is depressed all time) and this allows you to start the car, even if it is in gear.
-Dave
-Dave
Edited by mr50bmg on Friday 16th June 04:46
Not sure what you did not understand from my post.. for an engine to START you need fuel, spark and cranking.. any of these could be be interpreted from what you wrote. .
I am quite certain that you mean cranking or turning over the engine with the starter motor.. but I wrote a long message to try and get people to think a bit and you just ignorred me.. lol oh well sure shows me.
Ah, a numpty device. One small issue though: whilst it's a 'safety' 
issue or as has been stated, to reduce the drag on the starter, of the gearbox, there is a problem. The force of the clutch release pushes the crank forward against its thrust washers, which are obviously denied oil until the engine spins up. So the potential exists for accelerating wear on the thrusts. I'd say it was easier to replace the starter than the crank thrust shims. As for leaving it in gear? Well that's your own stupid fault...
issue or as has been stated, to reduce the drag on the starter, of the gearbox, there is a problem. The force of the clutch release pushes the crank forward against its thrust washers, which are obviously denied oil until the engine spins up. So the potential exists for accelerating wear on the thrusts. I'd say it was easier to replace the starter than the crank thrust shims. As for leaving it in gear? Well that's your own stupid fault...i don't like these idiot-proofing devices because you rely on them too much, and it gets in the way of everyone developing good habits. why couldn't lotus have put that effort into something useful, like a nozzle insertion activated fuel tank pressure release vent, so we can fill up quickly without the extra drama. as designed, it takes me twelve minutes to fuel up the esprit, when i can fuel my other cars in under 3 minutes
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