Intermittent Starting - Getting stuck - LotusTalk

AMSElise · 10-07-2009, 09:11 AM

Hello, my first post

I read all of the posts i could find but no one seems to have an issue like mine.

My elise will start fine one day, no issues, next it might not start at all.
Its a crap shoot if I go to the store, I have come out only to find my car wont start. The car can be push started so that makes me even more confused. No corrosion on any terminals can is in top shape.

I turn off alarm, all lights work, dash lights are on, no immobilizer light is on.
I push start button and nothing.

clutch is in, its in neutral, seems to be no reason why im getting this issue.
its very random, it might start no problems few days in a row, then it wont start at all for days...

Battery has been replaced. No other issues with the car.

PLEASE HELP !!!
thank you

TheViper · 10-07-2009, 10:29 AM

When you say "nothing", is that literal, I mean not a sound of any type?
Before you press the start button do you hear the fuel pump priming after turning the key?
After it won't start, you can push start it, correct?
You may have a bad starter solenoid or start relay located in the "Multi Function Relay Unit".
Michael

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMSElise

Hello, my first post

I read all of the posts i could find but no one seems to have an issue like mine.

My elise will start fine one day, no issues, next it might not start at all.
Its a crap shoot if I go to the store, I have come out only to find my car wont start. The car can be push started so that makes me even more confused. No corrosion on any terminals can is in top shape.

I turn off alarm, all lights work, dash lights are on, no immobilizer light is on.
I push start button and nothing.

clutch is in, its in neutral, seems to be no reason why im getting this issue.
its very random, it might start no problems few days in a row, then it wont start at all for days...

Battery has been replaced. No other issues with the car.

PLEASE HELP !!!
thank you

AMSElise · 10-07-2009, 12:30 PM

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.

Yes, when it doesnt start (does not crank over) I can push start no problem.
When I put the key in and on, the lights come on, you can hear the key-in buzzer, the radio comes on, all the lights come on. Its just when you push the start button you get nothing at all.
everything else works perfectly.
Voltage at the battery is 12v when you go to push the button.

Do you know a way to test if its the "starter" or the "Multi Function Relay" or do i have to take it to the dealer for that??
Ams

TheViper · 10-07-2009, 12:46 PM

If you are not even hearing the starter solenoid clicking, as I said, it sounds like the solenoid, relay or start button. 12V is low, it should be around 12.66V, but at 12V it would still at least, turn over. You should still test the battery and charging output. Battery Choices & Information
Michael

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMSElise

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.

When I put the key in and on, the lights come on, your can hear the key-in buzzer, the radio comes on. Its just when you push the start button you get nothing at all.
everything else works perfectly.
Voltage at the battery is 12v when you go to push the button.
Ams

AMSElise · 10-07-2009, 01:30 PM

do you mean hearing the clicking when i push the button?? i hear nothing LOL
ill have to bring it in then
thank you for your responses
AMS

TheViper · 10-07-2009, 01:36 PM

It would be easy to see if you have voltage on the output side of the start button when you have one of these failures. BTW it could also be an immobilizer problem.
Michael

AMSElise · 10-20-2009, 05:05 PM

I dont think its an immobilizer issue because i can push start it. I dont think it will start if immobilizer is on.
Can it be a clutch switch problem??

Roger · 10-20-2009, 07:24 PM

Are you sure you have a clutch switch? I don't.

TheViper · 10-21-2009, 04:12 AM

Yes, it could still be the immobilizer, because push starting it does not utilize the start circuit. As I said, it could also be the solenoid, relay or start button.
There is no clutch interlock switch.
Michael

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMSElise

I dont think its an immobilizer issue because i can push start it. I dont think it will start if immobilizer is on.
Can it be a clutch switch problem??

MattG · 10-21-2009, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheViper

There is no clutch interlock switch.

Wasn't one added for the Candadian market to meet requirements there?

AMSElise · 10-21-2009, 08:27 PM

Yeah I think they added clutch switch for canada. Mine is an American car.
I will pull switch out and test voltage. Is there a way to permantly disable the immobilizer?

Thanks again to all for helping me try to diagnose my problem

Annemarie

AMSElise · 10-25-2009, 12:06 PM

Found procedure on here to disable immobilizer
thanks for all the great posts
Annemarie

10-07-2009, 09:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
AMSElise Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 9	Intermittent Starting - Getting stuck Hello, my first post I read all of the posts i could find but no one seems to have an issue like mine. My elise will start fine one day, no issues, next it might not start at all. Its a crap shoot if I go to the store, I have come out only to find my car wont start. The car can be push started so that makes me even more confused. No corrosion on any terminals can is in top shape. I turn off alarm, all lights work, dash lights are on, no immobilizer light is on. I push start button and nothing. clutch is in, its in neutral, seems to be no reason why im getting this issue. its very random, it might start no problems few days in a row, then it wont start at all for days... Battery has been replaced. No other issues with the car. PLEASE HELP !!! thank you

10-07-2009, 12:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
AMSElise Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 9	Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Yes, when it doesnt start (does not crank over) I can push start no problem. When I put the key in and on, the lights come on, you can hear the key-in buzzer, the radio comes on, all the lights come on. Its just when you push the start button you get nothing at all. everything else works perfectly. Voltage at the battery is 12v when you go to push the button. Do you know a way to test if its the "starter" or the "Multi Function Relay" or do i have to take it to the dealer for that?? Ams Last edited by AMSElise : 10-07-2009 at 12:45 PM.

10-07-2009, 01:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
TheViper Alarmed & Dangerous Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boca Raton FL Posts: 3,202	It would be easy to see if you have voltage on the output side of the start button when you have one of these failures. BTW it could also be an immobilizer problem. Michael __________________ Cobra OEM - Alarm, Immobilizer, CDL Emergency Override with warranty Additional Emergency Touch Keys - see link above Brand New Cobra Alarm Remote with warranty Cobra Remote Key Fob Strap Cobra Window Closing Module - Add to your existing Cobra alarm 3 Piece Front Clam Protection Kit with Center Bumper Undertray Removal Tool INFORMATION Improved AC & Heating System Battery Choices & Information Remote Key Fob, Alarm & Immobilizer Programming Light Bulb Conversions 2005

10-20-2009, 07:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
Roger Ancient Briton Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, TX Posts: 487	Are you sure you have a clutch switch? I don't. __________________ '72 Europa TC '05 Elise

10-25-2009, 12:06 PM	#12 (permalink)
AMSElise Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 9	Everyone has been a great HELP Found procedure on here to disable immobilizer thanks for all the great posts Annemarie

10-07-2009, 01:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
AMSElise Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 9	do you mean hearing the clicking when i push the button?? i hear nothing LOL ill have to bring it in then thank you for your responses AMS

10-20-2009, 05:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
AMSElise Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 9	I dont think its an immobilizer issue because i can push start it. I dont think it will start if immobilizer is on. Can it be a clutch switch problem??

10-21-2009, 08:27 PM	#11 (permalink)
AMSElise Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 9	Yeah I think they added clutch switch for canada. Mine is an American car. I will pull switch out and test voltage. Is there a way to permantly disable the immobilizer? Thanks again to all for helping me try to diagnose my problem Annemarie

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