Aussie S4: Dashboard light probs & window stickers
Discussion
Greetings from Sydney Australia fellow Esprit fans!
firstly, it's great to be part of the esprit community, the forums, the websites, pics, info, etc have been realy helpful with my 7 month adventure that ended a few weeks ago with my purchase of a black 1994 esprit S4.
i have a small problem that i was hoping someone could help me with...the instrument dashboard lights go on and off at unusual intervals?! i will be happily cruising along at night and the dash lights will either dim, or go off completely! they then stay off for about 30 seconds to a minute then come back on....i have tried adjusting the dimmer switch but have no other ideas what could be causing this problem... is there any other S4 owners that have had this problem and know how to fix it?
also, does anyone know where i can buy the window stickers for the S4 (quater windows) off the internet?? there is one (count em, one!) dealer in sydney and they are not able to source them from anywhere!
many thanks!
ant
ps. are there any other S4 owners in Sydney out there?
>>> Edited by Ant1 on Wednesday 24th April 16:27
firstly, it's great to be part of the esprit community, the forums, the websites, pics, info, etc have been realy helpful with my 7 month adventure that ended a few weeks ago with my purchase of a black 1994 esprit S4.
i have a small problem that i was hoping someone could help me with...the instrument dashboard lights go on and off at unusual intervals?! i will be happily cruising along at night and the dash lights will either dim, or go off completely! they then stay off for about 30 seconds to a minute then come back on....i have tried adjusting the dimmer switch but have no other ideas what could be causing this problem... is there any other S4 owners that have had this problem and know how to fix it?
also, does anyone know where i can buy the window stickers for the S4 (quater windows) off the internet?? there is one (count em, one!) dealer in sydney and they are not able to source them from anywhere!
many thanks!
ant
ps. are there any other S4 owners in Sydney out there?
>>> Edited by Ant1 on Wednesday 24th April 16:27
Ant
for parts try:
www.christopherneil.co.uk/ or
www.davebean.com/ or
www.jaeparts.com/ or
www.rdent.com/ or
www.sjsportscars.co.uk/ or
www.tingleslotus.com/
There's probably others, but this is a good start ;-)
Also, suggest you also join up to the yahoo group for the esprit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/turboesprit/
best esprit community on the web.
Congratulations on buying your esprit!
Cheers
Rob.
98 V8-GT
for parts try:
www.christopherneil.co.uk/ or
www.davebean.com/ or
www.jaeparts.com/ or
www.rdent.com/ or
www.sjsportscars.co.uk/ or
www.tingleslotus.com/
There's probably others, but this is a good start ;-)
Also, suggest you also join up to the yahoo group for the esprit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/turboesprit/
best esprit community on the web.
Congratulations on buying your esprit!
Cheers
Rob.
98 V8-GT
quote:
Aussie S4,
I own a 1993 SE and had the same exact problem with the dash lights fading in and out. The dealership replaced the dimmer switch and the problem went away. Hope this info helps. Welcome to the community.
GREG
Thanks Greg! will get my dealership onto it, definately sounds like the dimmer switch is the problem as you suggest... hopefully the switch won't take a few feeks to order as i can't see the speedo at night and we have double points off your driver's licence for traffic infringements every public holiday now in NSW, Australia!
rgds,
Anthony
quote:
Ant
for parts try:
www.christopherneil.co.uk/ or
www.davebean.com/ or
www.jaeparts.com/ or
www.rdent.com/ or
www.sjsportscars.co.uk/ or
www.tingleslotus.com/
There's probably others, but this is a good start ;-)
Also, suggest you also join up to the yahoo group for the esprit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/turboesprit/
best esprit community on the web.
Congratulations on buying your esprit!
Cheers
Rob.
98 V8-GT
Thanks Rob! will post a link and some photos of the car asap...
Thanks also for the links, there is such a small number of Esprits in Australia that parts support, as you can imagine, is pretty thin...
this still won't stop myself and my partner owning it, i have loved the Esprit since the james bond days and when i took my partner to see one in the flesh for the first time, she was hooked as well...
we now truly understand the motto "for the few who know"...
rgds,
Ant
Hi Ant,
I would like to clarify a few points for you.
1. There are two dealers in Sydney as well as 1 in Canberra. They are Rick Damelian (9562 0132 contact Maurice Chayboub)and Cremorne Prestige Service (9906 5266 contact Gary Ibbotson) in Sydney and Canberra Star in the ACT 6280 9888 contact Jim Groves). I'm sure any of these dealers would be more than plesed to be of assistance.
2. You should present your Esprit to one of them to correctly diagnose the problem. Once correctly diagnosed then components if necessary can be ordered on your behalf.
3. I would say that your Esprit is one of the vehicles that were imported into Australia from Thailand by the previous importer. They were badged as 50th anniversary cars and the window decals were removed for this reason. Should you require the decals I'm sure one of the above dealers would be more than pleased to source them on your behalf.
4. I would be interested to know which dealer you commented about. It seems I would need to do some more training with them.
If I can be of any assistance in the future please feel free to contact me.
Cheers,
Richard Holland
National Aftersales Manager
Lotus Cars Australia
Ph: 03 94975488
I would like to clarify a few points for you.
1. There are two dealers in Sydney as well as 1 in Canberra. They are Rick Damelian (9562 0132 contact Maurice Chayboub)and Cremorne Prestige Service (9906 5266 contact Gary Ibbotson) in Sydney and Canberra Star in the ACT 6280 9888 contact Jim Groves). I'm sure any of these dealers would be more than plesed to be of assistance.
2. You should present your Esprit to one of them to correctly diagnose the problem. Once correctly diagnosed then components if necessary can be ordered on your behalf.
3. I would say that your Esprit is one of the vehicles that were imported into Australia from Thailand by the previous importer. They were badged as 50th anniversary cars and the window decals were removed for this reason. Should you require the decals I'm sure one of the above dealers would be more than pleased to source them on your behalf.
4. I would be interested to know which dealer you commented about. It seems I would need to do some more training with them.
If I can be of any assistance in the future please feel free to contact me.
Cheers,
Richard Holland
National Aftersales Manager
Lotus Cars Australia
Ph: 03 94975488
quote:
Make sure all the wires are soldered to your dimmer switch. Could save you a trip to the dealer.
Thanks Mikey!
Per yours and Greg's advice, I gave the dimmer switch a little tap the last time it went out (more out of curiousity than anything) and the problem went away! I am going to have a look at the connection inside the steering column later this evening and make sure that the wires are soldered onto the switch properly. It looks like it is definately the switch or the wiring not being connected properly.
Sounds like you have had this problem before as well, thanks again!
Ant
>> Edited by Ant1 on Sunday 28th April 15:01
quote:
Hi Ant,
I would like to clarify a few points for you.
1. There are two dealers in Sydney as well as 1 in Canberra. They are Rick Damelian (9562 0132 contact Maurice Chayboub)and Cremorne Prestige Service (9906 5266 contact Gary Ibbotson) in Sydney and Canberra Star in the ACT 6280 9888 contact Jim Groves). I'm sure any of these dealers would be more than plesed to be of assistance.
2. You should present your Esprit to one of them to correctly diagnose the problem. Once correctly diagnosed then components if necessary can be ordered on your behalf.
3. I would say that your Esprit is one of the vehicles that were imported into Australia from Thailand by the previous importer. They were badged as 50th anniversary cars and the window decals were removed for this reason. Should you require the decals I'm sure one of the above dealers would be more than pleased to source them on your behalf.
4. I would be interested to know which dealer you commented about. It seems I would need to do some more training with them.
If I can be of any assistance in the future please feel free to contact me.
Cheers,
Richard Holland
National Aftersales Manager
Lotus Cars Australia
Ph: 03 94975488
Thanks for all the info Richard!
I thought Cremorne were only an authorised servicer of lotus and that RD were an authorised dealer and an authorised servicer, or are they the same thing?
I actualy bought the car from RD a few weeks ago and the dimmer switch was only something that i noticed when i first drove at night, during the initial test drive i switched the lights on, but only for a few minutes.
The window stickers were a wierd one, I think they might have been taken off when the window was tinted (if they are meant to be on the inside of the window). My log book indicates that the car was first sold by RD which is what they confirmed, so i'm fairly certain (and hopeful!) that this was a local S4, but could be wrong.
Nick at RD tried to get the window stickers for me, but couldn't and suggested i surf the web for them, fortunately Rob Ellis replyed on this forum and I am going to order the stickers from SJ Sportscars in the UK.
My car is actually going in to have the oil seals done next week and a few other little things, but I have been extremely happy with RD. When I purchased the car, they agreed to fix any existing ailments, (turned out that there were a few little things) and they have kept to their word and have been excellent in ensuring that the car is 100% ok. They have been very helpful and really made the whole experience even better, not that owning an esprit in itself is anything short of a great experience!
Was curious, apart from RD and Cremorne, are there any other parts/accessories sources in Sydney (or Australia) that sell things for the Esprit, something like SJ Sportscars in the UK?
Rgds
Anthony
Hi Ant,my name is Anthony and i live in Wollongong.I own a 97 black s4 which has been heavily modified in the last year- 330hp.Your window sticker can be bought at Steve Taylors Elan Factory Melbourne.elanfactory@optusnet.com.au Steve is Mr lotus in Australia!For servicing and high performance mods Peter at Flash auto Darlinghurst,believe me these two guys are Lotus experts.See you soon on the road!ps u will love the car but be prepared to spend money on it,u will be rewarded.
quote:
Hi Ant,my name is Anthony and i live in Wollongong.I own a 97 black s4 which has been heavily modified in the last year- 330hp.Your window sticker can be bought at Steve Taylors Elan Factory Melbourne.elanfactory@optusnet.com.au Steve is Mr lotus in Australia!For servicing and high performance mods Peter at Flash auto Darlinghurst,believe me these two guys are Lotus experts.See you soon on the road!ps u will love the car but be prepared to spend money on it,u will be rewarded.
Another Anthony with an S4? black as well? (mine is black) Must be a sign... Thanks for the info, I will email Steve in melbourne for the stickers. Darlinghurst as in Sydney? I'll be paying Flash Auto a visit very soon then!
Yeah, it has been only a few weeks and the buzz is still there everytime i see the car, it is such a work of art, and driving it is an experience everytime!
anthony
PS. do u mind if i email u directly for some more info on some of the mods u have done?
Hi Anthony,
Sorry for late response as I don't have the time to surf the pages normally.
As mentioned by another reader Steve Taylor has vast knowledge of the product and where to source components from. This is his advantage in pricing in this country. By this I mean I am contracted to purchase direct from Lotus Cars Ltd which can be a disadvantage at times. As I'm sure you can appreciate LCA now has some considerable investment in Australia and we would appreciate your support in supporting the dealers.
I too am a owner of the Lotus product albeit a Lotus Carlton which I have to source the components throuh Vauxhall dealers in U.K. To this Lotus can't sell me parts direct, it is totally frustrating.
To answer your question on Cremorne Prestige, these guys have worked on Lotus for a number of years and they compliment the network. They do not sell cars and are only a Service & Parts outlet.
This is due to the economics and volume of cars available for sale to the Australian market. We would love to have more dealers which would mean more volume but when vehicles like the Elise are imported into Australia without the likes of air bag etc we are limited to a small quantity.
However a breakthrough with the introduction of Air conditioning is now seeing an increase in sales.
On another point I have now employed the services of Mr Tony Margareto who is ex Lotus Cars Limited. Whilst at Lotus Tony in his last years was a Field Service Engineer. In his services for LCA he is charged with training our dealers. Tony has already accompnied me to Sydney and has met both with RD's and Cremorne.
Anthony, if I can be of any further assistance please feel free to contact me.
Cheers,
Richard
Sorry for late response as I don't have the time to surf the pages normally.
As mentioned by another reader Steve Taylor has vast knowledge of the product and where to source components from. This is his advantage in pricing in this country. By this I mean I am contracted to purchase direct from Lotus Cars Ltd which can be a disadvantage at times. As I'm sure you can appreciate LCA now has some considerable investment in Australia and we would appreciate your support in supporting the dealers.
I too am a owner of the Lotus product albeit a Lotus Carlton which I have to source the components throuh Vauxhall dealers in U.K. To this Lotus can't sell me parts direct, it is totally frustrating.
To answer your question on Cremorne Prestige, these guys have worked on Lotus for a number of years and they compliment the network. They do not sell cars and are only a Service & Parts outlet.
This is due to the economics and volume of cars available for sale to the Australian market. We would love to have more dealers which would mean more volume but when vehicles like the Elise are imported into Australia without the likes of air bag etc we are limited to a small quantity.
However a breakthrough with the introduction of Air conditioning is now seeing an increase in sales.
On another point I have now employed the services of Mr Tony Margareto who is ex Lotus Cars Limited. Whilst at Lotus Tony in his last years was a Field Service Engineer. In his services for LCA he is charged with training our dealers. Tony has already accompnied me to Sydney and has met both with RD's and Cremorne.
Anthony, if I can be of any further assistance please feel free to contact me.
Cheers,
Richard
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