New owner with questions about car running bad.

[atikovi]

I just bought a 55,000 mile car at an auction. It looks great inside and out and ran fine through the auction. I went to pick it up a few days later and it was a quite nervous 30 mile drive home. After starting, the engine idles at around 2,500 rpm until warmed up. The engine bucks and missing when I tried to drive it cold so I let it warm up a bit. After warming it up a few minutes I get it out on the road towards the highway, it still coughs and hiccups occasionally but I press on and finally get on the highway. It does 55 or 60 just fine but every now and then it will start missing for 20-30 seconds like the engine is cutting off and then it may run fine for 2-3 minutes. The check engine light also comes on at this point but goes back off. Where should I start? Engine codes?

[Andy C]

Welcome to the wonderful world of M100 ownership and to the best web based source for information and discussion.

As the check light comes on, fault codes would seem to be a good place to start.

This info will assist you in your diagnosis ... as will all the members here.

[Doc Fizzix]

Sounds like the coolant temp sender

[Doug]

yes, could be CTS or even CAS

need more info

check engine codes

[chris.t]

my coolant temp sensor failed and the car started running really rich. Does the sensor ever fail such that the car runs really lean? Not answering your problems i know by asking a question but could give you a clue.

[atikovi]

Thanks for the suggestions. Now where do I find the ALDL on a U.S. car? I'm looking under the right side dash and while it may be right in front of my nose, I don't see it. Is it on the right or left side? By the kick panel? By the firewall?

[John_W]

atikovi,
congratulations on your new car. They're great machines and deserve a bit of mechanical tlc.

I suggest you give it a full once-over before driving it for any distance. ie change the oils, new plugs, gap at 31 thou, generally check over and tidy up the engine bay (any hoses disconnected or perished? any wires rubbing or disconnected?), check the timing is correctly set, replace antifreeze and brake fluid, check brake pads and free off calipers.

Once you've given it a once-over to make sure everything's as it should be, it will make tracing any faults which are left that much easier.

John

[Doug]

Now where do I find the ALDL on a U.S. car?

check here: http://lotuselancentral.com/repair/aldl.htm

Connector is light blue and plugged into a blank slot/holder under the passenger dash in the footwell area. Sitting as the passenger you could reach it above your right toes.

[John_W]

Connector is light blue and plugged into a blank slot/holder under the passenger dash in the footwell area. Sitting as the passenger you could reach it above your right toes.

From what you can remember ...

John

[atikovi]

Connector is light blue and plugged into a blank slot/holder under the passenger dash in the footwell area. Sitting as the passenger you could reach it above your right toes.

Thanks, I'll have another look at it.

[Doug]

From what you can remember ...

John

funny, I almost put that line in my response

[GeoffSmith]

From what you can remember ...

Careful John. Remember what happened last time you upset the trainee under-administrator(-in-waiting)!
You don't want to become a heretic, do you?

[atikovi]

Found the connector but no problem codes found, just #12. Guess I'll start with the basic tune-up and work from there.

[Monty]

Found the connector but no problem codes found, just #12. Guess I'll start with the basic tune-up and work from there.

The check engine light also comes on at this point but goes back off

Thats strange as u said u got the engine light so there should be code

next thing is to replace spark plugs, leads.

could be CAS, coil or maybe a earthing problem

[ESM]

ElanScan (the sensor logging software) would be helpful in sorting this out.... you need a laptop PC and an interface (ask Geoff nicely, he's making some) - the software is free (see my link below).

[mailman221]

I am new to this forum and have recently purchased a low milage M100 which had been in storage for some time. Was the car you bought in storage or sitting for a long time before it went ot auction? In my case the fuel had gelled and fouled the fuel pump which had to be replaced along with the fuel filter. All gas was drained and fresh put in. It also slightly fouled the injectors which was cured with JB injector cleaner. After about 100 mi. it runs like new!