Lotus died again.

[Demonized]

A week ago I posted this thread;

Got my Lotus towed...

Today was the first time I ran it for more than 30 seconds since then.

Started it in the garage, it idle'd fine for about 5-7 minutes, pulled it out of the garage down our pretty steep driveway, ran back inside to grab a few things and I start hearing the idle wobble up and down, getting close to dying.

I run out to see if maybe I can figure out what's going on and as I get to the car the idle drops real low and the car dies.

Since apparently this wasn't a fuse issue as though, I will check my MAF, and check for vacuum leaks.

What seems strange to me however is, the car was fine till it wasn't on a level surface.

[Harponian]

Does the check engine light come on?

[Demonized]

CEL is on when the key is in the "ON" position before starting.

CEL is not on when I now try to start the car, it cranks, idles at ~200 then dies 2-3 seconds later. At which point it comes on again, as if the car was not started at all.

This was not happening on a flat surface.

Rechecked all fuses, look fine, checked all the electrical connections I could find in the engine bay, all looks fine.

Last time this happened(previous thread) it would be noticeably boggy on hills, till it finally gave up on a rather straight road.

Today is not cold like last time.

[Randy Chase]

I know... dumb question... but you have enough gas?

[MattG]

This may be considered normal behavior for a 2005 model, though I think an adjustment of the throttle quadrant (do a search) can help. Usually though just letting the ECU adapt will stabilize the idle enough over time. With the fuse problem you had, the ECU might be 'relearning'. Altitude seems to compound the problem, my hunch is the baseline tune is for sea level and if you're at 6,000 feet, that'll make it just that more challenging for the ECU to idle smoothly before learning. Your engine mods are another factor that will influence learning. Idling fine when cold, then rough when warm, is typical for this learn-related idle problem.

Bottom line is, if all you have is a bouncing idle with an occasional stall, give the ECU a chance to adapt before you do spend any time troubleshooting.

[JUNGLISTluder]

Originally Posted by Randy Chase

I know... dumb question... but you have enough gas?

+1. Sounds like a low tank. My lotus wouldn't start once when the tank was low and parked on a hill.

[Demonized]

it acts like a low tank, but I've got atleast 3/4th of a tank.

Matt, I've been driving it around fine here in Colorado for the last 2 months.

I will search for the throttle quadrant in a moment.

I also need to go pick up another 20A fuse.

Dropped mine down behind the engine in a furious fit

[Agent ONE]

So your lotus died?? like it stalled? Did it start back up?

"Died" to me means, its totally screwed and it need to be towed again.

[Demonized]

Originally Posted by Agent ONE

So your lotus died?? like it stalled? Did it start back up?

"Died" to me means, its totally screwed and it need to be towed again.

If it weren't in my drive way it would need to be towed.

It will not start back up, it will "start" momentarily, then bog around for a few seconds, then die.

[Demonized]

Going to pick up a fuse in the next 15minutes, then will play with my throttle quadrant.

looks like there's quite a bit of play in my throttle wire.

like 4-5mm

[Harponian]

Have you tried the ECU reset? Long shot, but if it is a "learn" issue then that may help. Here are the instructions from another thread:

Resetting the ECU back to OEM learn

I just recently replaced my oem airbox with another oem airbox. When I started my car it did exactly what yours was doing. My issue were the vacuum lines not being properly hooked up. It did throw a code though. I properly installed everything... reset the ECU and all is good for over 50 miles.

[Demonized]

Originally Posted by Harponian

Have you tried the ECU reset? Long shot, but if it is a "learn" issue then that may help. Here are the instructions from another thread:

Resetting the ECU back to OEM learn

I just recently replaced my oem airbox with another oem airbox. When I started my car it did exactly what yours was doing. My issue were the vacuum lines not being properly hooked up. It did throw a code though. I properly installed everything... reset the ECU and all is good for over 50 miles.

Just tried the ECU reset, the CEL did not flash after I did it (Made about 10 attempts) and the car just cranks now, does not start and stumble.

[Demonized]

Gonna give the local dealership a call tomorrow and see when they can take it in.

What a freaking headache ><

[...m...]

Originally Posted by Randy Chase

I know... dumb question... but you have enough gas?

++

...my elise exhibited the exact same symptoms when refueled after running it dry - they didn't completely go away until i'd run it a good stretch of time, level, on a full tank...

[Demonized]

Originally Posted by ...m...

++

...my elise exhibited the exact same symptoms when refueled after running it dry - they didn't completely go away until i'd run it a good stretch of time, level, on a full tank...

But I have 3/4th of a tank left

Though... I figure it's either bad fuel, the fuel pump, or something TBW related.

[...m...]

...find somewhere level and drive it for thirty minutes or so to see if that helps everything sort itself out?..

...otherwise, it sounds like an ECU learning issue...

[Demonized]

Originally Posted by ...m...

...find somewhere level and drive it for thirty minutes or so to see if that helps everything sort itself out?..

...otherwise, it sounds like an ECU learning issue...

No no.. the car won't start anymore...

[Randy Chase]

You did check the battery connections right?

[Demonized]

Originally Posted by Randy Chase

You did check the battery connections right?

Yes, but I will double check just incase.

[Demonized]

Battery & connection are fine.