Very serious problem

[nyc76]

Hi, I'm Nicola and i'm writing from Italy. I'm quite dsperate because I don't know what to do!! I explain: when I turn on the lights switch one of them opens immediatly but the other doen't do so and it opens very slowly and with extreme difficulty. I think it's a problem with the little elctric engine that lifts up the lights...
Could you please help me? Tell me if it can be repaired or if I need to change all that, and if I need to change the piece, where can I find it..
Thank you all! Nicola

[Dico]

Try here

http://www.lotuselancentral.com/lec/headlamp-motor.htm

Replacement parts are also available cheaply from Alan Betts based in Thailand, around 12-14 euros a kit. (I dont have his contact details though, anyone else?)

[algirdas]

Dear Nicola:

First, relax. The problem you are describing about headlight pods not coming up, or struggling to come up, is a very common problem with these cars. My left side headlight pod struggles to come up.

Second, the repair is cheap and relatively easy. I got the parts to fix mine from Rodney Dickman. I just have to make time to get to it. Here is Rodney's web page www.rodneydickman.com and the specific page with Elan headlight motor rebuild kits is http://www.rodneydickman.com/retail_new.html and click on the tab "electrical". Don't let all the references to Fieros, Corvettes and Firebirds freak you out-the same parts were used in the Elan back in those days.

Third, scour this website. There's tons of information on fixing headlights that don't come up.

In fact, the rumor is that you are not a REAL Lotus Elan man until you rebuild both headlight motors, both door window mechanisms and do a thermostat. Then, and only then, will you be officially part of the club (just kidding).

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[donsladek]

Try here

http://www.lotuselancentral.com/lec/headlamp-motor.htm

Replacement parts are also available cheaply from Alan Betts based in Thailand, around 12-14 euros a kit. (I dont have his contact details though, anyone else?)

Doesn't WillB handle these parts also?

Don

[Doug]

In fact, the rumor is that you are not a REAL Lotus Elan man until you rebuild both headlight motors, both door window mechanisms and do a thermostat. Then, and only then, will you be officially part of the club.

don't forget fixing the broken shifter cables, freeing the stuck wastegate rod, replacing the rusted out exhaust, upgrading the brakes, and putting on the stripes -- THEN you will be a true Elan Man !!

[algirdas]

Dear Doug:

I WAS trying to ease Nicola into Lotus Elan ownership. I could have hit him with the "Full Monty" of the joys of Elan ownership and could have included those items you listed along with broken downpipes on long trips, stereo speakers that need replacing, parts that are no longer available, Hall Effect Sensors, rotted rear suspension pieces, intercoolers that have tanks blow and radiator drain plugs that self-destruct, but I was hoping to bring him along slowly.

Nicola-Look on the bright side. Even with the M100's "one or two" weak points, the M100 is more reliable than most any other car in its league and out of its league. It is the most reliable Lotus ever built. And when things do go wrong, you have the LEC's members to draw on and often it won't take cubic-Euros to get things going again.

Also, please keep in mind that most everyone involved with LEC has a magnificently twisted and warped sense of humor.

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[Doug]

[algirdas]

Dear Doug:

Is your avatar a picture of an artificial hip joint?

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[nyc76]

Dear Doug:

I WAS trying to ease Nicola into Lotus Elan ownership. I could have hit him with the "Full Monty" of the joys of Elan ownership and could have included those items you listed along with broken downpipes on long trips, stereo speakers that need replacing, parts that are no longer available, Hall Effect Sensors, rotted rear suspension pieces, intercoolers that have tanks blow and radiator drain plugs that self-destruct, but I was hoping to bring him along slowly.

Nicola-Look on the bright side. Even with the M100's "one or two" weak points, the M100 is more reliable than most any other car in its league and out of its league. It is the most reliable Lotus ever built. And when things do go wrong, you have the LEC's members to draw on and often it won't take cubic-Euros to get things going again.

Also, please keep in mind that most everyone involved with LEC has a magnificently twisted and warped sense of humor.

Sincerely,

Algirdas

OH MY GOD......
Anyway, thank you all for all the useful tips.... You really saved my life...
And above all, i love too much my Elan for let all this little problem bring me down....
I really hope I can resolve my problems... Thank you again
Nicola

[nyc76]

Ehm... it's me again.... I've just look up to Rodney Dickmans' site and... Sorry for my ignorance but under "Headlights" which link do I have to click on? There is "headlight parts" (2 of them), and "headlight gear kit".. Which one do I have to buy?
Thanks always useful!
Nicola

[GeoffSmith]

Dear Doug:

Is your avatar a picture of an artificial hip joint?

Sincerely,

Algirdas

Algirdas,

You obviously missed this thread

Geoff

[GeoffSmith]

Doesn't WillB handle these parts also?

Try here

[algirdas]

Dear Nicola:

In all likelihood, all you need is the 1987-1988 Headlight Kit. You will need one for each motor, so a total of two kits. I also got new gaskets as well. Here is the URL, www.rodneydickman.com/retail_new.html, but you are going to have to hit the electrical tab and then scroll down toward the bottom of the screen for the parts you need to order. If you have any questions, just give Rodney a call. He is very helpful when you can catch him.

In my case I ordered the 1987-1988 Headlight Actuator Rebuild Kit (pair) along with two 87-88 Headlight Actuator Side Cover Gaskets and two 87-88 Headlight Motor Gaskets. Please note that his online ordering page has pull down menus that include "88-02 Lotus".

Try this first. Its probably not your headlight motor gears, but in case they are shot as well, you can get new ones from Rodney Dickman as well. For example, my left headlight struggles to come up and the motor keeps turning a few seconds after the light is up and then a few seconds after it has gone down. In all likelihood, it only needs a rebuild kit and not gears.

If there is anything else we can do to help, just gives us a shout.

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[nyc76]

.... thank you so much, Algirdas! I think I'm going to order the same pieces you did... And I hope I can handle with them...
You've been very very kind!!

[algirdas]

Dear Nicola:

Thank you for the kind words, but in time I trust you will find most everybody associated with LEC is the same way. LEC is one of those extremely rare situations in life where you take away far more than you put in.

Before you do your headlight motors, be sure to download the workshop manuals from the LEC website and be sure to read all of the various threads on doing the job. I have yet to do mine, but from what I have read, it does not appear to be that hard of a job.

The left side motor is a bit trickier than the right side one. If I get some projects done around the house this week, I may even try to tackle mine this weekend. Since you will probably still be waiting on parts, I'd be happy to provide you with a write-up of how things went for me.

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[nyc76]

Hi! Thank you again for your help... As I said I've ordered the pieces you told me and now I'm waiting for 'em. When they'll arrive I think I'm going to ask you lots of questions about it.... Meanwhile, enjoy your Elans!!!
Nik

[nyc76]

I MADE IT!!!! With the help of my brother I finally managed to change those 3 little pieces.... Thanks to you all for your support and your tips, without your help I really didn't know what to do.... Thank you, I'm on the road again, watch out !!!!!
Nyc

[nyc76]

I MADE IT!!!! With the help of my brother I finally managed to change those 3 little pieces.... Thanks to you all for your support and your tips, without your help I really didn't know what to do.... Thank you, I'm on the road again, watch out !!!!!
Nyc

[GeoffSmith]

Well done Nicola. Enjoy the summer.

Geoff

[algirdas]

Dear Nicola:

Bravo!

Sincerely,

Algirdas