Mystery items!

[esprit888]

are you sure....................................

Now it's to easy...
I'll let someone else play

[dapinky]

I was stumped by this one at first, so i grabbed my 'spare' cluster out of the conservatory and had a look - nothing was obvious as being missing.....

...then i realised that it was a mirror image of what you would (should) see when fitted to the elan (and mine came out of a Vauxhall)....

...it clicked straight away when i thought about it (but as the layout is slightly different on a Fed model to a UK one, it may not be as obvious to everyone, but I'd like to think that the colonials would see what is wrong!!!!!!) - it took a bit of counting and looking in a book to confirm what i had considered to be the 'defect'.

[Monty]

Is it that the bulb is missing for the Check engine light

[esprit888]

Monty wins round two !!

Quite clever when you thnk about it. Remove that annoying check engine light bulb thats always on and sell it with no known problems ! This should be on the check list when buying an Elan. Turn on ignition but do not start engine, do all of the warning lamps illuminate ? does the SIR light go through its self test then go out ? If light stays on and you have an airbag then you have a problem, if like me you have fitted an Elise non airbag wheel then remove the SIR bulb (didnt spot that one missing did you!!!) Seriously though the check engine light should illuminate and then go off once the engine is started, if it does not do either then dig deeper as something is amiss.

Is it that the bulb is missing for the Check engine light

[dapinky]

Monty wins round two !!

How does that work then? I posted before him! (and gave him all the clues to state the obvious answer)

But, as I say - the warning lights are not in the same place on Fed & UK models, so it may not have been obvious to many people on here.

(Good game, this - it does make you think about stuff we should - perhaps - all know, but often can't remember!)

[esprit888]

Hints don't count as my SIR bulb is also missing in the first picture

Monty wins round two !!

How does that work then? I posted before him! (and gave him all the clues to state the obvious answer)

But, as I say - the warning lights are not in the same place on Fed & UK models, so it may not have been obvious to many people on here.

(Good game, this - it does make you think about stuff we should - perhaps - all know, but often can't remember!)

[esprit888]

Ok, here we go with your starter for 10.Two unusual parts found behind the fascia (centre of picture), both silver, both rectangular. Name the part AND its purpose (because i have no idea on one of them )

FASCIA.jpg

[bobbrown]

No brown toffee on this one more like Liquorice, facia from factory parts sale.
Its more like stikaflex than an epoxy glue.

dash.jpg

facias still available in the Lotus factory parts sale

Bob

[Elanlover]

Colin, I used fibreglass reinforced body filler from good 'ole Canadian Tire for attaching a lot of the little peices to the back of the fascia panel during my fascia project. Holds it in there better than the original goo.

[esprit888]

Thanks for the Tip , i ended up using lepage two part self mixing epoxy which worked really well (again from Canadian Tire) i'll see if it lasts as i will be removing the fascia again for the gauge package, A/C vent pipe insulation and the start button. I have had it on & off enough times now to know it takes 12 minutes . No one had a go at the mystery part yet ???, It is a toughie as they are not on the U.K Elan, here are a couple of closer pictures.

Box 1.jpg

Box 2.jpg

Colin, I used fibreglass reinforced body filler from good 'ole Canadian Tire for attaching a lot of the little peices to the back of the fascia panel during my fascia project. Holds it in there better than the original goo.

[Elanlover]

Are you referring to the large silver box that you've positioned upright instead of flat as its normally situated? That's the DERM I believe. The smaller white one's the resistor module. All important stuff if you have an airbag.

Also, with regard to using epoxy. What I liked about the body filler was that I could smear it around quite a bit to reinforce the area around the offending piece as the foam was deteriorating. I was afraid that just gluing it would only secure it to the piece of foam that was breaking down. So, the piece would fall out again but with a bigger peice of foam around it Just have a look around the surrounding area to make sure the foam isn't breaking up to badly.

[esprit888]

Well i am going to give you 5 points for getting the DERM correct BUT, the way its mounted (vertically) is the way it came from the factory as it has three beefy bolts with a purpose built bracket holding it in that position. Incorrect on the resisitor module though, clue number 2, not so subtle is below.

so what does it do for 5 points.jpg

Are you referring to the large silver box that you've positioned upright instead of flat as its normally situated? That's the DERM I believe. The smaller white one's the resistor module. All important stuff if you have an airbag.

Also, with regard to using epoxy. What I liked about the body filler was that I could smear it around quite a bit to reinforce the area around the offending piece as the foam was deteriorating. I was afraid that just gluing it would only secure it to the piece of foam that was breaking down. So, the piece would fall out again but with a bigger peice of foam around it Just have a look around the surrounding area to make sure the foam isn't breaking up to badly.

[Elanlover]

Well i am going to give you 5 points for getting the DERM correct BUT, the way its mounted (vertically) is the way it came from the factory as it has three beefy bolts with a purpose built bracket holding it in that position. Incorrect on the resisitor module though, clue number 2, not so subtle is below.

Yep. From the pic I saw with the DERM module wires looking like they were running right into that box. I've never played with the resistor module so i guessed that might be it. Misleading Pics!!!!! I couldn't remember which way the DERM was mounted as I changed the position on mine when I did the fascia project

I'm thinking its the seatbelt logic module (now that you can read "logic" on it).

[esprit888]

I'm not Surprised this stumped so many as i had to go back and double check the part numbers to realize that the DERM is in fact the ECM (not to be confused with the ECU) so those 5 points have to come back Also the other item (logic control) is primarily for the SIR but also operates the idiot chime i believe (lights on, key in ignition, seat belt not on) Its amazing once you get into it just how much extra there is on a federal M100 compared to a UK version. Take the knee crash pad for example, is this a swap out for the UK car ? (i have long legs and the Elise wheel helps but my knees still hit the crash pad) or is the entire lower dash different too?

Well i am going to give you 5 points for getting the DERM correct BUT, the way its mounted (vertically) is the way it came from the factory as it has three beefy bolts with a purpose built bracket holding it in that position. Incorrect on the resisitor module though, clue number 2, not so subtle is below.

Yep. From the pic I saw with the DERM module wires looking like they were running right into that box. I've never played with the resistor module so i guessed that might be it. Misleading Pics!!!!! I couldn't remember which way the DERM was mounted as I changed the position on mine when I did the fascia project

I'm thinking its the seatbelt logic module (now that you can read "logic" on it).

[Tyger]

Ok, the mystery pics/questions of the day are below. The first is what is it a picture of ? and what i need to know is what is the brown stuff Lotus used to hold it all together? (as i need to re-attach some items)

Are these switches held in only by this "glue"?
A couple of mine have popped loose and I'm trying to figure out the best way to reattach them.

BTW it looks to me like "double bubble" refers mainly to the packaging. Has anyone tried anything else that worked as well or better?

[esprit888]

Well yes and no, Permabond actually calls this product double bubble ( http://www.permabond.com/en/en-industry_served_mro.htm ) What part is loose, the blank cover or the holder for the rear harness connector? Its likely the holder and this is the 'double bubble' (permabond) product Lotus used. Any good two part industrial strength adhesive will do but the difficulty will be in the access as its glued from the rear, meaning removal of the fascia panel and chances are once you have it off you will find all kinds of other loose brackets, holders & plastic pieces(as i did )

fascia rear.JPG

[/quote]BTW it looks to me like "double bubble" refers mainly to the packaging. Has anyone tried anything else that worked as well or better?[/quote]

[Tyger]

Yah, it's the "holder" I guess. The whole thing is pushed in, but the switches themselves are working fine (AC / hazard). I'm thinking perhaps I can apply some glue from the outside, then push the part into position from behind via the glovebox area.
I'm 100 miles away from the car, otherwise I'd post a photo.
Next question is what sort of glue to use. I'm not sure I can find (or really need) that "Double Bubble" stuff. I appreciate the link, but I can't find out what type of adhesive that stuff actually is. I'm guessing epoxy, since it seems you need to mix the contents of the two "bubbles".

[dapinky]

Would a hot glue gun work??

Mine gets used for all sorts of things and rarely fails to stick most things together.

[Tyger]

I'm thinking maybe Gorilla Glue. It expands slightly as it cures. It's about the same color and consistency when dry as the stuff on my switch and in the photo above.

[nitroman]

I'm not Surprised this stumped so many as i had to go back and double check the part numbers to realize that the DERM is in fact the ECM (not to be confused with the ECU) so those 5 points have to come back Also the other item (logic control) is primarily for the SIR but also operates the idiot chime i believe (lights on, key in ignition, seat belt not on) Its amazing once you get into it just how much extra there is on a federal M100 compared to a UK version. Take the knee crash pad for example, is this a swap out for the UK car ? (i have long legs and the Elise wheel helps but my knees still hit the crash pad) or is the entire lower dash different too?

Working to extend legroom "at the front" is difficult. Modify (grind off) the slide stops near the back of the runners. You'll get a little extra space for your legs but its not so much that it causes any problems to the seat mechanical design. At most you might get 1.5" more before the seatback contacts the rear bulkhead. I've done this in 2 of 3 Elans and that little extra bit makes a huge difference when you're in the saddle longer than a half hour.