Lotus Elan Central

by **Jeffbro** » Mon 09.01.2006, 18:17

I need to run elan-scan on my car to hopefully show up an electrical fault causing running problems. There are no fault codes showing but I suspect that something is amiss. Please would someone recommend the best elan-scan set up most likely to work for me. I have windows xp and my laptop has usb only. I read somewhere that there is a version designed for usb connections? I have also read about certain adapters not working and some that do? Please help :?:

by **dans** » Mon 09.01.2006, 19:21

Hi Jeff,

I found the easiest way is to get in touch with ESM (who'll prob be along shortly!) to see if he has any stock
I bought his USB-ALDL setup from him,
See here:
http://lotuselancentral.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5524

Or check out his website at:
http://www.astb91.dsl.pipex.com/InterfaceShop.html

Setup was pretty easy. Instructions are on here somewhere or on ESM's website.

Good luck!

DAN

by **Enright** » Mon 09.01.2006, 22:03

You would be best off buying your own link from Alan (ESM), but meanwhile if I can help then I'm in Nottingham, have all the gear already, and don't mind running a comparison.

It may even help me to track down the odd issue of my own!

Website · by **theelanman** » Tue 10.01.2006, 11:17

jeff
I'll say the same as neil....I'm only a few miles away in derbyshire...and I have the usb version on my laptop......
I found that I kept getting a comflict with the usb port which turned out to be some printer software.....
I removed the usb drive and installed it from the original windows CD when it found new hardware on startup.....
I'd suggest trying this to start with and see if it runs any better
let us know how you go
cheers
gareth

by **Doug** » Tue 10.01.2006, 23:42

doesn't Alan have the wireless remote-host over-the-internet-scan available yet?? :wink:

by **Jeffbro** » Wed 11.01.2006, 22:51

Thanks for the offers guys, I may very well take one of you up on that though I would prefer not to have to drive to far if I can avoid it. Im hoping Alan (ESM) will post with an interface available so I can have a crack at it at home. Fingers crossed!

by **Jeffbro** » Tue 24.01.2006, 19:02

I know its asking a lot but would some kind soul consider lending me an interface as I tried to drive the car at the w-end and its got worse, its undrivable now. So unfortunately I cant bring it over to either one of you

Help!

by **Enright** » Tue 24.01.2006, 20:53

OK, if it's THAT bad then I reckon that the problem is more fundamental than one that Elanscan is required for. Don't get me wrong, Elanscan is a great tool, but you really need the basics (like a car that runs) for it to be able to fine-tune out any issues.

Furthermore, if you aren't getting any fault codes then there's every chance that it's not sensor or ECU related, in which case Elanscan possibly won't pick it up.

I would suggest going back to basics:
Checking that the spark plugs are in good condition/swapping them with known good ones,
Checking the timing with a timing gun,
Checking emissions with a gastester,
Checking for air leaks,
Trying spare HT leads,
Maybe even trying a replacement coil pack and ECU,
and only then then swapping the different sensors and running Elanscan.

Fortunately I already have all of the above components and equipment. And as I mentioned before, once running, I would be really interested to see how it's running and diagnostics compare to my own.

PM me your mobile number and I'll ring you to arrange a visit at the weekend if that helps.

by **Jeffbro** » Wed 25.01.2006, 20:48

Hi, I had the car running fine after replacing the head gasket, new plugs were fitted and the timing set. It then became apparent that the engine was taking a little longer than normal to warm up so the thermostat was suspected. Sure enough the old thermostat was perforated so a new one was fitted. This is when the problem started! Ive gone through what I might have disturbed whilst fitting the new thermostat but im at a loss! Initially the car ran ok at low revs but under accelaration it miss fired and then seemed to hit a point where it lost all steam, felt like driving a 950 fiesta with a potato up its exhaust!
Enright13 I have sent you my mobile number, thanks a million

by **Enright** » Thu 26.01.2006, 13:38

Uh oh.

If it's had the head gasket done once already, and seeing as we'll be pulling the plugs anyway, I'll bring my compression tester too. Hope for your sake it's not that again.

by **Jeffbro** » Sun 29.01.2006, 21:58

Well we can wrap this topic up with a happy ending. With the help of Neal and his box of goodies, the coil was found to be faulty. Thanks again Neal :smt041

Anyone got a spare coil pack for sale?

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