Lotus -- Daily Driver Blog by Patrick Shim

[PatrickShim]

Well, in less than 24 hours since I picked up the car from the service,

1. ANOTHER Check-Engine Light (MIL) and same P0420 code...
2. Front/right Turn-signal not working; burnt-out bulb?

Stopped by at Lotus Beverly Hills again this morning to address the issues. They are talking to Lotus about the MIL issue, and the turn-signal bulb was replaced.



All the services since new

[Warranty Service Items]
- ECU (replaced) - LBH
- catalyst/downpipe (replaced 2x) - LBH
- camshafts (replaced) - LBH
- O2 Sensors (replaced) - LBH
- exhaust (Stage-II crack, replaced) - SMC
- passenger-side rear turn-signal (replaced) - SMC
- front/right turn-signal housing (replaced) - LBH
- A/C relay (replaced) - LBH

[Warranty Accessory/Part Items]
- passenger-side clear-bra damaged (since new, repaired) - SMC
- soft-top (not supplied by dealer; delivered damaged; repaired) -SMC
- soft-top bars (not supplied by dealer; got only one. waiting for one more) - SMC
- hard-top velcro covers (not supplied by dealer; delivered) - SMC
- passenger-side rear wheel (damaged by dealer; replaced) - NE
- headlight recall (addressed) - SMC
- sticking door-lock recall (addressed) - SMC
- car delivered new with improper allignment (addressed) - SMC

[Undocumented-Warranty Items]
- front/right turn-signal bulb (replaced) - LBH
- loose handbrake lever (repaired) - LBH
- passenger-side window making wind-noise (repaired) - LBH

[Non-Warranty Items]
- oil changes w/ Mobil Delvac Synthetic 5W40 (@ around 1,000mi, 7,000mi, 12,000mi) - SMC
- oil changes w/ Havoline Synthetic 5W40 (@ around 17,000mi) - LBH
- rear tires Yokohama ADVAN A048 (replaced @ around 12,000mi, nail in tire and wear) - NE
- rear tires Yokohama ADVAN A048 (replaced @ around 17,000mi, nails in both tires) - LBH

(*LBH - Lotus Beverly Hills, *SMC - Symbolic Motor Cars, *NE - Newport European)

[fuse]

Wow, do they test drive and check the car before they release it? It is obviously a recurring problem that has not been identified and they are still replacing the same parts that didn't fix the issue previously.

You have been incredibly patient with this whole experience, I hope the dealer and Lotus appreciates it.

ps- it may be cheaper if you stay away from nails. j/k

[Serebo1]

Originally Posted by PatrickShim

Well, in less than 24 hours since I picked up the car from the service,

1. ANOTHER Check-Engine Light (MIL) and same P0420 code...
2. Front/right Turn-signal not working; burnt-out bulb?

Stopped by at Lotus Beverly Hills again this morning to address the issues. They are talking to Lotus about the MIL issue, and the turn-signal bulb was replaced.



All the services since new

[Warranty Service Items]
- ECU (replaced) - LBH
- catalyst/downpipe (replaced 2x) - LBH
- camshafts (replaced) - LBH
- O2 Sensors (replaced) - LBH
- exhaust (Stage-II crack, replaced) - SMC
- passenger-side rear turn-signal (replaced) - SMC
- front/right turn-signal housing (replaced) - LBH
- A/C relay (replaced) - LBH

[Warranty Accessory/Part Items]
- passenger-side clear-bra damaged (since new, repaired) - SMC
- soft-top (not supplied by dealer; delivered damaged; repaired) -SMC
- soft-top bars (not supplied by dealer; got only one. waiting for one more) - SMC
- hard-top velcro covers (not supplied by dealer; delivered) - SMC
- passenger-side rear wheel (damaged by dealer; replaced) - NE
- headlight recall (addressed) - SMC
- sticking door-lock recall (addressed) - SMC
- car delivered new with improper allignment (addressed) - SMC

[Undocumented-Warranty Items]
- front/right turn-signal bulb (replaced) - LBH
- loose handbrake lever (repaired) - LBH
- passenger-side window making wind-noise (repaired) - LBH

[Non-Warranty Items]
- oil changes w/ Mobil Delvac Synthetic 5W40 (@ around 1,000mi, 7,000mi, 12,000mi) - SMC
- oil changes w/ Havoline Synthetic 5W40 (@ around 17,000mi) - LBH
- rear tires Yokohama A048 (replaced @ around 12,000mi, nail in tire and wear) - NE
- rear tires Yokohama A048 (replaced @ around 17,000mi, nails in both tires) - LBH

(*LBH - Lotus Beverly Hills, *SMC - Symbolic Motor Cars, *NE - Newport European)

Nice seeing you yesterday, Patrick. My guess on the bulb would be that it might have gone during that removal of the turn signal. I love our little cars, but having to nail that tab with a screwdriver to remove the housing can't be good for a tiny filament. As for test driving, fuse, sometimes the CEL doesn't present itself on the first drive or two. And yes, Patrick, you are the new nail magnet king.

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by fuse

Wow, do they test drive and check the car before they release it? It is obviously a recurring problem that has not been identified and they are still replacing the same parts that didn't fix the issue previously.

You have been incredibly patient with this whole experience, I hope the dealer and Lotus appreciates it.

ps- it may be cheaper if you stay away from nails. j/k

Just to clarify...

The computer checks for problems for 100 miles. The service offered to test-drive, but I had to pick up the car so I declined the test-drive. It is not the dealership's fault.

Although I am frustrated with the ongoing issue, the dealership has been very wonderful to work with.

Originally Posted by Serebo1

Nice seeing you yesterday, Patrick. My guess on the bulb would be that it might have gone during that removal of the turn signal. I love our little cars, but having to nail that tab with a screwdriver to remove the housing can't be good for a tiny filament. As for test driving, fuse, sometimes the CEL doesn't present itself on the first drive or two. And yes, Patrick, you are the new nail magnet king.

It was nice seeing you yesterday!

Yeah, I can't believe I got another nail (two this time) in the tires!

[Serebo1]

Originally Posted by PatrickShim

Yeah, I can't believe I got another nail (two this time) in the tires!

Wait, not SINCE yesterday, right?

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by Serebo1

Wait, not SINCE yesterday, right?

Haha. Nah...

[Serebo1]

Originally Posted by PatrickShim

Haha. Nah...

Whew.

[LARRY]

Originally Posted by PatrickShim

Just to clarify...

The computer checks for problems for 100 miles. The service offered to test-drive, but I had to pick up the car so I declined the test-drive. It is not the dealership's fault. Although I am not happy with the ongoing issue, the dealership has been very wonderful to work with.




It was nice seeing you yesterday!

Yeah, I can't believe I got another nail (two this time) in the tires!

Figure out where you get the nails. Any construction sites near you or in your travels?

Go up to the guys there and tell them they are putting nails all over the street or leave a big note that everyone can see to that effect.

It stopped the nails at two sites near where I live after we were collecting them in the tires on the Lotus and the Infinity...

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by LARRY

Figure out where you get the nails. Any construction sites near you or in your travels?

Go up to the guys there and tell them they are putting nails all over the street or leave a big note that everyone can see to that effect.

It stopped the nails at two sites near where I live after we were collecting them in the tires on the Lotus and the Infinity...

I can't think of any construction sites I drive by regullarly...

The funny thing is, both times I had big nails in the car, they weren't regular nails but one of those long screw-type nails... I garage my car indoor both at home (garage) and at work (secured underground parking) so I don't think there is any foul play, but funny that both times they were long screw-type nails.

[PatrickShim]

Yep. It's on again.

[serpent]

Originally Posted by PatrickShim

Yep. It's on again.

lol

[Rob T]

Originally Posted by PatrickShim

Yep. It's on again.

The Lemon Law will kick in here pretty soon!

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by Rob T

The Lemon Law will kick in here pretty soon!

I might have to start work on that process...

[serpent]

Originally Posted by PatrickShim

I might have to start work on that process...

i'm sorry to hear that...i hope everything works out and you get a new car thats problem freeee

[delise]

Could the sensor that measures the gas tank/neck pressure to determine the gas cap is on correctly be faulty? I don't see that it has been replaced or checked, also could a short be occurring in the sensor wiring ? Also I notice you have a full tank of gas in the pict above, have you noted if the warning comes on randomly or only when your tank is full/empty etc.

[PatrickShim]

Originally Posted by delise

Could the sensor that measures the gas tank/neck pressure to determine the gas cap is on correctly be faulty? I don't see that it has been replaced or checked, also could a short be occurring in the sensor wiring ? Also I notice you have a full tank of gas in the pict above, have you noted if the warning comes on randomly or only when your tank is full/empty etc.

I am getting P0420 so they feel that it is not related to the gas cap. We did replace O2 sensors though...

[PatrickShim]

Just talked to a rep from Lotus regarding the issues.

I'll keep everyone updated.

[skelliott2]

You know I had that issue as well for a while and Lotus finally had them put some kind of conductive grease on the pigtail that goes into the ECU, problem has never come back again. I am sure they have probably tried this already though. It was frusterating when I had the problem as the car would keep going into limp mode. I hope they find the issue quickly or give you a good replacement. Good luck.

[PatrickShim]

Almost 9 months after buying the car, I put the softtop on for the first time (I always have my hardtop on, and plus Symbolic Motors, where I bought the car from sent me one of the roof bars just last week).

It was very easy, and I was so excited to see how the softtop fits so perfectly!

[Sleazy E]

Patrick, it is odd seeing how enthusiastic you are about your car despite all the unfortunate issues you have been having to deal with. Curious, would you do it all again and buy the Elise if you could turn back time?