"Safe Mode" -- Check Engine Light - LotusTalk

PatrickShim · 04-14-2008, 07:12 AM

Yes, my car has Check Engine Light again for the 10th+ time in 6 mo. I'm taking it to service next week.

I've noticed that the car is not running with 100% of its power... The speed seems to be limited (around 95mph) and when I heel-toe down-shift, I can't get enough revs. Also some funny rattle noise from the back of the car (engine? exhaust?)

When the Check Engine Light is on, does the car go into some sort of "Safe Mode"...?

Icedog_16 · 04-14-2008, 07:21 AM

That's limp mode. What are you doing when the CEL comes on? What code have you been getting?

PatrickShim · 04-14-2008, 07:42 AM

P0420 - (catalyst system efficiency below threshold)

It's been happening over and over for months. I'll be getting the issue resolved next week.

Any problem driving the car under the limp-mode? I still need to get home.

ZTEC · 04-14-2008, 07:50 AM

Even if your code was P1234, I would inspect the cams - call me crazy just eliminate the possibility of the worn cam/broken rocker issue we have seen lately.. I expect we will see more as these cars get more miles on them! Good Luck...

Icedog_16 · 04-14-2008, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatrickShim

P0420 - (catalyst system efficiency below threshold)

It's been happening over and over for months. I'll be getting the issue resolved next week.

Any problem driving the car under the limp-mode? I still need to get home.

Depending on what your problem actually is, you may be OK. I had to drive mine to the dealer like that with a broken rocker arm. It's certainly not fun.

carlover · 04-14-2008, 08:59 AM

Consider turning the car off of a few seconds to see it the ECU reboots and runs normally. When my car went into limp mode I sometimes had to "reboot" it a couple of times before it would run normally. I would probably avoid driving it in limp mode if possible, but perhaps enough to get off the hwy and try the reboot. What I did was waited until I was pointing down hill, then turned the car off (on the hwy while moving) and restarted it while driving. probably not the smartest thing, but it did save me from having to drive it in limp mode and from getting off the hwy. I usually drive 10-15 mph over anyway so I would typically be going about the speedlimit when I restart the car.

PatrickShim · 04-14-2008, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlover

Consider turning the car off of a few seconds to see it the ECU reboots and runs normally. When my car went into limp mode I sometimes had to "reboot" it a couple of times before it would run normally. I would probably avoid driving it in limp mode if possible, but perhaps enough to get off the hwy and try the reboot. What I did was waited until I was pointing down hill, then turned the car off (on the hwy while moving) and restarted it while driving. probably not the smartest thing, but it did save me from having to drive it in limp mode and from getting off the hwy. I usually drive 10-15 mph over anyway so I would typically be going about the speedlimit when I restart the car.

I turned off then restarted the car many times... it's been going on for days...

carlover · 04-14-2008, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatrickShim

I turned off then restarted the car many times... it's been going on for days...

How far to the service center?

insane · 04-14-2008, 02:35 PM

I got the P0420 several times before getting the P1302. You should pull the camshaft cover and check -- pronto.

loanshark · 04-14-2008, 02:40 PM

I was in a car with the CEL (cat delete). Car has been running with CEL on for 1000 miles or so. No problems. OEM acceleration, top speed (I was in the car when it hit 122mph), absolutely no problems.

Tell Lee I said hi, seems like you are on a first name basis with him

swede · 04-14-2008, 02:41 PM

If you bougth the car new (don't know if you did) and there is a "lemon law" in your state you can demand a new vehichle. I think 3 is the limit in Ohio, after that they will have to give you another vehichle.

skelliott2 · 04-15-2008, 11:48 PM

Have them check the wire harnesses...I had this happening on mine and it took about 2-3 times for them to fix it. They were finally instructed by Lotus to put some kind of conductive stuff (by the way, that is a technical term

in the connector and I have not had the problem since. Star said that it is a common issue with the cars.

Westrock · 04-17-2008, 09:14 PM

I got a P0420 I believe after about 2000 miles on a de-cat. The car outright feels OK, it seems to get slight hiccups when doing partial throttle at higher RPM's. Say 50% throttle at 5500 RPM's. I can feel a very slight bucking. It only appeared when the Check Engine light showed up.

andrewgotanelise · 04-17-2008, 09:19 PM

Anyone else going into limp mode with a decat? I searched and it didnt seem like many people had problems with it other than an annoying light...

PatrickShim · 04-17-2008, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westrock

I got a P0420 I believe after about 2000 miles on a de-cat. The car outright feels OK, it seems to get slight hiccups when doing partial throttle at higher RPM's. Say 50% throttle at 5500 RPM's. I can feel a very slight bucking. It only appeared when the Check Engine light showed up.

Bad for the engine to drive in that condition?

04-14-2008, 07:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
PatrickShim How you doin'? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,217	"Safe Mode" -- Check Engine Light Yes, my car has Check Engine Light again for the 10th+ time in 6 mo. I'm taking it to service next week. I've noticed that the car is not running with 100% of its power... The speed seems to be limited (around 95mph) and when I heel-toe down-shift, I can't get enough revs. Also some funny rattle noise from the back of the car (engine? exhaust?) When the Check Engine Light is on, does the car go into some sort of "Safe Mode"...? __________________ '06 Lotus Elise (Laser Blue/Black/Sport-Pack/Touring-Pack/Hardtop/TRD airbox/Stage-II Exhaust) - VIDEO

04-14-2008, 07:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
PatrickShim How you doin'? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,217	P0420 - (catalyst system efficiency below threshold) It's been happening over and over for months. I'll be getting the issue resolved next week. Any problem driving the car under the limp-mode? I still need to get home. __________________ '06 Lotus Elise (Laser Blue/Black/Sport-Pack/Touring-Pack/Hardtop/TRD airbox/Stage-II Exhaust) - VIDEO

04-14-2008, 07:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
ZTEC Third Eye Open Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 1,786 Images: 3	Even if your code was P1234, I would inspect the cams - call me crazy just eliminate the possibility of the worn cam/broken rocker issue we have seen lately.. I expect we will see more as these cars get more miles on them! Good Luck... __________________ GO: Vision Function Stage II Intercooled Bliss with Charlie's ECU magic and Ronin's Tenacity! STOP: DBA 4000's, Porterfield R4! TURN: Nitron S/A's Toyo RA1's 225/245 on Rota's! Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is not putting it into a fruit salad.

04-14-2008, 08:59 AM	#6 (permalink)
carlover できそこないの傲慢嫌い Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 1,375	Consider turning the car off of a few seconds to see it the ECU reboots and runs normally. When my car went into limp mode I sometimes had to "reboot" it a couple of times before it would run normally. I would probably avoid driving it in limp mode if possible, but perhaps enough to get off the hwy and try the reboot. What I did was waited until I was pointing down hill, then turned the car off (on the hwy while moving) and restarted it while driving. probably not the smartest thing, but it did save me from having to drive it in limp mode and from getting off the hwy. I usually drive 10-15 mph over anyway so I would typically be going about the speedlimit when I restart the car. __________________ Check the VIN of the Lotus you're considering buying http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f3/h...hl30039-66280/

04-14-2008, 02:35 PM	#9 (permalink)
insane Mikey likes it! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Winter Park, Fla Posts: 1,303	I got the P0420 several times before getting the P1302. You should pull the camshaft cover and check -- pronto. __________________ -Michael '05 Nighfall Blue with Rallye Stripes!

04-14-2008, 07:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
Icedog_16 I drank what?!? Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 4,220	That's limp mode. What are you doing when the CEL comes on? What code have you been getting?

04-14-2008, 02:40 PM	#10 (permalink)
loanshark BANNED Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,227 Images: 41	I was in a car with the CEL (cat delete). Car has been running with CEL on for 1000 miles or so. No problems. OEM acceleration, top speed (I was in the car when it hit 122mph), absolutely no problems. Tell Lee I said hi, seems like you are on a first name basis with him

04-14-2008, 02:41 PM	#11 (permalink)
swede Stick a fork in it Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Gone byebye Posts: 831	If you bougth the car new (don't know if you did) and there is a "lemon law" in your state you can demand a new vehichle. I think 3 is the limit in Ohio, after that they will have to give you another vehichle.

04-15-2008, 11:48 PM	#12 (permalink)
skelliott2 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Humble, TX Posts: 244	Have them check the wire harnesses...I had this happening on mine and it took about 2-3 times for them to fix it. They were finally instructed by Lotus to put some kind of conductive stuff (by the way, that is a technical term in the connector and I have not had the problem since. Star said that it is a common issue with the cars.

04-17-2008, 09:14 PM	#13 (permalink)
Westrock Haxord but mine Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 1,381	I got a P0420 I believe after about 2000 miles on a de-cat. The car outright feels OK, it seems to get slight hiccups when doing partial throttle at higher RPM's. Say 50% throttle at 5500 RPM's. I can feel a very slight bucking. It only appeared when the Check Engine light showed up. __________________ -David 2006 Storm Ti Exige + VF Stage 2 Vision Function Supercharger Install Thread Stereo Harness Info \| Exige with no wing??

04-17-2008, 09:19 PM	#14 (permalink)
andrewgotanelise MMA Fighter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Where the drugs are cheap and the girls are easy Posts: 1,222	Anyone else going into limp mode with a decat? I searched and it didnt seem like many people had problems with it other than an annoying light... __________________ 05 NFB Elise / Katana SC / No Snorkle / 3.2 "10" psi pulley / Stage 1 Exhaust / Decat / Green Filter

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