Lotus Fix for AC Problems? - LotusTalk

pinmagic · 04-11-2005, 03:33 PM

I dropped my Elise off at Criswell for some service last week, so I asked them to see if there was a Lotus fix yet for the misplaced AC sensor in early models. They called today to say the car is ready, and that they repositioned the sensor, in accordance with Lotus instructions. So I guess there's an official fix now for the problem.

I haven't picked up the car yet, but my service tech said they accessed the sensor thru the heater box (or some such thing). Anyway, once I pick up the car, I should have more details. When I have a chance to test it thoroughly, I'll post the results. Keeping my fingers crossed!

raggedy1 · 04-11-2005, 08:42 PM

I tried my A/C for the first time today.

results:

NO A/C!

Glad I decided to check it before I took it in for the 1k service.
ahhh, the things we take for granted when buying a mass produced (in my case Japanese) car...

gordie · 05-23-2005, 10:49 PM

I tried my A/C yesterday, and hot air came out even after 15 minutes...

I was going to give SVAG a call and see if I can bring it in, it is getting hot in the Bay Area these days.

If you can post the results after you bring the car in for the 1000 mile check that'd be much appreciated, thanks!

-- Gordie

Miguel · 05-24-2005, 08:07 AM

Mine works, but if it gets hot it will freeze or something and stop working.

I even put the hard top on in case it will make a difference, but nope. I guess I'll remove the hard top one of these days and drive faster to cool off

etypeiii · 05-24-2005, 10:22 AM

My A/C was also AWOL, but not because of the sensor - an o-ring was damaged and the system would not hold refrigerant. They had to replace this. Then my A/C worked, and was adequate for 80-85 degree temps in California/Vegas/Arizona/New Mexico. Not sure how it will hold up now that the temps are hitting 100+ in Vegas, though. I should know soon...

DLY

raggedy1 · 05-24-2005, 11:40 AM

my car is going in tomorrow (wed morning) so I'll post the results regarding this one (of several) issues

ChrisH · 05-24-2005, 12:27 PM

Does anyone have an actual copy of the Lotus instructions that they could post? I would be interested in the details (not that I would do it myself, but if I have a problem years down the road after the warranty expires, I would like the info).

TimMullen · 05-24-2005, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinmagic

service tech said they accessed the sensor thru the heater box (or some such thing).

Did they have to remove the front clam to get to the heater box? The heater box (where the heater core and AC is located is in the front and according to the manual, you have to remove the clam and radiators, etc. to get to it...

pinmagic · 05-24-2005, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimMullen

Did they have to remove the front clam to get to the heater box? The heater box (where the heater core and AC is located is in the front and according to the manual, you have to remove the clam and radiators, etc. to get to it...

I doubt it, cause I'm sure if they had done all that, they would have screwed something up, and I would have noticed.

So I don't know what they did -- or, more likely, what they didn't do. I guess when it gets hot, I'll find out.

APOGEE · 05-24-2005, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimMullen

Did they have to remove the front clam to get to the heater box? The heater box (where the heater core and AC is located is in the front and according to the manual, you have to remove the clam and radiators, etc. to get to it...

You do not have to remove the clam to relocate the probe. Don.

TimMullen · 05-25-2005, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by APOGEE

You do not have to remove the clam to relocate the probe. Don.

Good to know. Thanks for the info!

raggedy1 · 05-25-2005, 04:55 PM

service manager mentioned he is seeing a disturbing number of elises with A/C issues. He had one Elise with the body entirely removed save for the driver side door. Even the seats had to come out. All of this to correct an A/C issue where a bad connector and hose that runs through the passenger side rocker panel went bad. It was a sick sight!
My car apparently was low on R134 and it doesn't have any leaks that they know of, so I'll see if it's still blowing cold in a couple of weeks!

oh, and he said he hasn't heard of any fixes from Lotus regarding the freezing problem. Strange considering he's seeing a/c problems but doesn't have a fix for the freezing issue...

mackinaugh · 05-25-2005, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by etypeiii

My A/C was also AWOL, but not because of the sensor - an o-ring was damaged and the system would not hold refrigerant. They had to replace this. Then my A/C worked, and was adequate for 80-85 degree temps in California/Vegas/Arizona/New Mexico. Not sure how it will hold up now that the temps are hitting 100+ in Vegas, though. I should know soon...

DLY

When the temp started to climb I also noticed that around 80-85 it was 'adequate'. Like Miguel, I put the hard top on hoping that it would maybe provide better insulation. It got into the 90's down here the past few days and while I'd say it was enough to keep it from being _uncomfortable_, it wasn't enough to keep it _comfortable_ (if that makes sense).

It could be that my A/C is weaker than average, or that I like it cooler than most, but for me when it gets up there she's gonna stay in the garage.

ACLSGuy · 05-30-2005, 05:55 AM

As the temp here made its way into the low 90's this past week, I've been having AC problems too. Besides the fact that I'm starting to think my recirc door is stuck, I tried different settings and did seem to have some effect.

I figured that it might be related to the amount of air being pulled in, so I turned DOWN the fan speed and I went from being marginally uncomfortable to almost cool. Later in the day it seemed to be working fine; I looked down and it was only set on 1.

About a mile or so later I hit accident back-up and slowed to a crawl. No setting seemed to prevent the inevitable rise into uncomfortable territory.

So, now I run my fan at 2 max, reserving 3 for window defogging.

Bill

mackinaugh · 05-30-2005, 09:22 PM

I noticed the same thing this weekend as I was driving around town with my wife..

When we were in town with traffic and red lights and such it was not quite cool enough. We got on the highway to go home, and while on the highway it was great (doing between 60 and 80 the whole way). Once off the higway it warmed up a bit again.

pinmagic · 05-31-2005, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACLSGuy

I figured that it might be related to the amount of air being pulled in, so I turned DOWN the fan speed and I went from being marginally uncomfortable to almost cool.

That COULD be the sign of a mis-located sensor.

qball · 05-31-2005, 06:52 PM

Drove the car on Saturday with the wife. It was in the mid-90s. Had the fan on speed 3. After a while, the cooling efficiency got bad and it became a bit warm in the car.

We rolled down the windows and drove without A/C for a while. Then it got a bit overcast and we tried the A/C again. It worked fine. But, then again, it wasn't quote as hot out then.

If enough of us are having A/C problems, we need to start a campaign with Lotus to address the issue.

I am particularly concerned living in hot, humid Florida, where we frequently have 95+ degree days with super high humidity.

What good is an A/C unit, if we can only use it when it is "not so hot" and not so humid out?

ChrisH · 05-31-2005, 07:26 PM

I have tested my A/C a few times in both dry and humid (for San Diego - about 70% humidity) weather. It has not had any problems. My build date was in the first half of February, VIN 2473.

Buck Dharma · 05-31-2005, 07:28 PM

I never drive with the AC on so no complants from me. I have the opposite problem. Some mornings I wake up about 5:30 to go for a drive and I am very disappointed with the heat. I crank it all the way up and it is barely acceptable.
I can't imagine what it would be like in the winter.

TimMullen · 05-31-2005, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qball

If enough of us are having A/C problems, we need to start a campaign with Lotus to address the issue.

There is an issue with the early cars "freezing up" (the core ices over and no air flows across the core), but this is being addressed with a relocation of the temperature sensor in the HVAC "box".

As for the Elise's AC not being that strong,

. It's in the manual. I don't remember the exact words, but it's something along the lines of the AC will do some cooling, but it sure isn't going to make the car cold. It's a very small capacity system.

04-11-2005, 03:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
pinmagic The Only Sane One Here Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Arlington, VA, USA Posts: 1,119	Lotus Fix for AC Problems? I dropped my Elise off at Criswell for some service last week, so I asked them to see if there was a Lotus fix yet for the misplaced AC sensor in early models. They called today to say the car is ready, and that they repositioned the sensor, in accordance with Lotus instructions. So I guess there's an official fix now for the problem. I haven't picked up the car yet, but my service tech said they accessed the sensor thru the heater box (or some such thing). Anyway, once I pick up the car, I should have more details. When I have a chance to test it thoroughly, I'll post the results. Keeping my fingers crossed! __________________ My other car is an MR2 Spyder. My other other car is a Segway.

04-11-2005, 08:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
raggedy1 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: belmont Posts: 3,822	I tried my A/C for the first time today. results: NO A/C! Glad I decided to check it before I took it in for the 1k service. ahhh, the things we take for granted when buying a mass produced (in my case Japanese) car... __________________ It's Delux son, Delux. It's not that hard. http://itsdeluxson.com/

05-23-2005, 10:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
gordie Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 41	No A/C for me either! I tried my A/C yesterday, and hot air came out even after 15 minutes... I was going to give SVAG a call and see if I can bring it in, it is getting hot in the Bay Area these days. If you can post the results after you bring the car in for the 1000 mile check that'd be much appreciated, thanks! -- Gordie __________________ '05 Elise Bordeaux Red Pearl/Black, Touring, LSS, Hard Top '06 Cayman S Black/Grey PASM, 19" wheels, Sport Pack Gone but not forgotten: '95 CBR600, '96 ZX7R, '97 TL1000S '99 M Coupe Blue/Blue/Black '02 Z06 Silver/Black Borla Stingers

05-24-2005, 08:07 AM	#4 (permalink)
Miguel Finally Elise Driver! Join Date: May 2004 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 2,464	Mine works, but if it gets hot it will freeze or something and stop working. I even put the hard top on in case it will make a difference, but nope. I guess I'll remove the hard top one of these days and drive faster to cool off __________________ 05 Elise Racing Green/Red, Touring, Hardtop, StarShield

05-24-2005, 11:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
raggedy1 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: belmont Posts: 3,822	my car is going in tomorrow (wed morning) so I'll post the results regarding this one (of several) issues __________________ It's Delux son, Delux. It's not that hard. http://itsdeluxson.com/

05-24-2005, 10:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
etypeiii Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 352	My A/C was also AWOL, but not because of the sensor - an o-ring was damaged and the system would not hold refrigerant. They had to replace this. Then my A/C worked, and was adequate for 80-85 degree temps in California/Vegas/Arizona/New Mexico. Not sure how it will hold up now that the temps are hitting 100+ in Vegas, though. I should know soon... DLY

05-24-2005, 12:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
ChrisH Mountain Road Nut Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ramona,CA Posts: 2,292	Does anyone have an actual copy of the Lotus instructions that they could post? I would be interested in the details (not that I would do it myself, but if I have a problem years down the road after the warranty expires, I would like the info).

05-25-2005, 04:55 PM	#12 (permalink)
raggedy1 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: belmont Posts: 3,822	service manager mentioned he is seeing a disturbing number of elises with A/C issues. He had one Elise with the body entirely removed save for the driver side door. Even the seats had to come out. All of this to correct an A/C issue where a bad connector and hose that runs through the passenger side rocker panel went bad. It was a sick sight! My car apparently was low on R134 and it doesn't have any leaks that they know of, so I'll see if it's still blowing cold in a couple of weeks! oh, and he said he hasn't heard of any fixes from Lotus regarding the freezing problem. Strange considering he's seeing a/c problems but doesn't have a fix for the freezing issue... __________________ It's Delux son, Delux. It's not that hard. http://itsdeluxson.com/

05-30-2005, 05:55 AM	#14 (permalink)
ACLSGuy Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: The Hague Posts: 204 Images: 2	AC Experiments As the temp here made its way into the low 90's this past week, I've been having AC problems too. Besides the fact that I'm starting to think my recirc door is stuck, I tried different settings and did *seem* to have some effect. I figured that it might be related to the amount of air being pulled in, so I turned DOWN the fan speed and I went from being marginally uncomfortable to almost cool. Later in the day it seemed to be working fine; I looked down and it was only set on 1. About a mile or so later I hit accident back-up and slowed to a crawl. No setting seemed to prevent the inevitable rise into uncomfortable territory. So, now I run my fan at 2 max, reserving 3 for window defogging. Bill

05-30-2005, 09:22 PM	#15 (permalink)
mackinaugh Commence the jigglin' Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 164	I noticed the same thing this weekend as I was driving around town with my wife.. When we were in town with traffic and red lights and such it was not quite cool enough. We got on the highway to go home, and while on the highway it was great (doing between 60 and 80 the whole way). Once off the higway it warmed up a bit again. __________________ Y HELO THAR!

05-31-2005, 06:52 PM	#17 (permalink)
qball Wizard of Pugz! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 4,516 Images: 3	Drove the car on Saturday with the wife. It was in the mid-90s. Had the fan on speed 3. After a while, the cooling efficiency got bad and it became a bit warm in the car. We rolled down the windows and drove without A/C for a while. Then it got a bit overcast and we tried the A/C again. It worked fine. But, then again, it wasn't quote as hot out then. If enough of us are having A/C problems, we need to start a campaign with Lotus to address the issue. I am particularly concerned living in hot, humid Florida, where we frequently have 95+ degree days with super high humidity. What good is an A/C unit, if we can only use it when it is "not so hot" and not so humid out?

05-31-2005, 07:26 PM	#18 (permalink)
ChrisH Mountain Road Nut Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ramona,CA Posts: 2,292	I have tested my A/C a few times in both dry and humid (for San Diego - about 70% humidity) weather. It has not had any problems. My build date was in the first half of February, VIN 2473.

05-31-2005, 07:28 PM	#19 (permalink)
Buck Dharma Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 135	I never drive with the AC on so no complants from me. I have the opposite problem. Some mornings I wake up about 5:30 to go for a drive and I am very disappointed with the heat. I crank it all the way up and it is barely acceptable. I can't imagine what it would be like in the winter.

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