everything dead on my elan

[surfboardfiller]

When that happened did the Immobiliser LED go out mad one?

[madbilly]

Yep, the immobiliser LED was dead too.

[chris.t]

Any answers to this as I've got the same problem. Car has been sitting a while, so expected a flat battery. Sure enough the ignition lights barely glimmered, so didn't even attempt to start the car. Put the charger on and couldn't get a charge light which sometimes happens if the battery is really low. Connected jump leads to Peugeot and got no ignition lights on Lotus, completely dead. Also Peugeot was completely dead too. Jumped started Peugeot and is fine, now charging.

Recently the car has not been starting as it usually does. There has been a slight stutter but starts okay.

On connecting a starter pack directly to the battery the positive cable becomes hot suggesting a dead short. Does this sound like a faulty starter motor?

[surfboardfiller]

You are not supposed to connect the starter pack directly to the battery. The dead battery will try to drain the pack as quickly as possible (DC) which is why you are having problems.

Disconnect the battery completely and try the starter directly on the + and - cables.

The ECU will self tune as you drive the car and the fuelling should improve as you go - When the battery is flat or disconnected the memory of the ECU is wiped off the ECU. That's why it will start badly, after a disconnection or flat battery; because its not fuelling correctly.

I think you need a new battery.

Hope this helps.

[chris.t]

No I didn't explain correctly.

Went to start the Elan.
Got the engine lights up but i didn't crank it as I could see the lights were just glimmering. The car had been sitting for some time. I knew it wasn't worth cranking the engine.
Removed keys.
Connected charger but could not get charge light. This sometimes happens if the battery voltage is low.
Connect Peugeot battery to Elan battery no engines started.
Reconnected charger to Elan - still no charge light. checked fuses on charger and plug, all ok. Now Elan completely dead. Now peugeot also completely dead.
Disconnected charger and jump leads from both cars. Borrowed battery pack and connected to Peugeot battery and started engine. Peugeot now ok.
Connected battery pack to Elan battery, positive starts to get hot, car still dead.

So there's a S/C somewhere. Engine has been cranking strangely recently like the starter motor has a hickup. Has always started though. So that's why i suspect the starter motor. Can't do anything today but will do some checks tomorrow.

[surfboardfiller]

Connected battery pack to Elan battery, positive starts to get hot, car still dead.

So there's a S/C somewhere. Engine has been cranking strangely recently like the starter motor has a hickup. Has always started though. So that's why i suspect the starter motor. Can't do anything today but will do some checks tomorrow.

I understand, I'm saying don't connect the booster pack to the battery in your car, this will probably make the wire hot as the old battery is draining it whilst the car is pulling power from it to start.
You probably have a short in your old battery which is discharging its self, if you take that out of the car it takes it out of the equation, so you can see if there is still a problem.
If you have a failing contact on the starter motor then you can get it rebuilt, it's tricky getting the thing out (I replaced mine on my driveway) and will be worth sending to Wosp for a rebuild, but make sure that is the problem first. Cheaper than a new battery though.

My charger and conditioner will not show the charge light as on when charging a completely flat battery but it will still charge the battery and the light will come on when the battery has charged a bit. If I use the conditioner; it will say the battery is 'poor' after it has been charged, I then have to re connect it for it to carry on charging the battery to 'good'.

[chris.t]

Arrr OK Phil, I see what you mean. I'll get the battery fully tested out first.

[surfboardfiller]

My experience with batteries is to charge it up to full and then test it to see the Voltage, then leave it 3-5 days and test it again to see if it has dropped over time.
If the Voltage does drop then its got an internal short (usually a build up of sulphur).

I hope some of my experiences help you out.

[chris.t]

Thanks Phil, sorted, sort of

forum.lotuselancentral.com/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=21568

[Fourdoorcat]

Chris.t

Surfboardfiller's advice makes sense. It sounds like a dead (read: shorted) battery to me.

Try another battery. Since the one in the Peugeot is behaving properly, you might swap that one into the Elan.

Ken

[chris.t]

Chris.t

Surfboardfiller's advice makes sense. It sounds like a dead (read: shorted) battery to me.

Try another battery. Since the one in the Peugeot is behaving properly, you might swap that one into the Elan.

Ken

Ken, Phil was in deed correct. By connecting the starter pack with the battery disconnected established that downstream of the battery was OK. Changed the battery now and all is good. My only concern is why I cant seem to keep a battery for more than 3 years.

[muley]

Chris, it's because you let the battery go flat (you pillock ) Put it on a trickle charger and all will be well.

Rgds

Jim

[chris.t]

Chris, it's because you let the battery go flat (you pillock ) Put it on a trickle charger and all will be well.

Rgds

Jim

Jim, the battery had an internal short circuit. When I tried jump starting it off the Peugeot it flattened that battery too instantly. What I am doing is disconnecting the new battery while the car is stood up.

[surfboardfiller]

Ken, Phil was in deed correct. By connecting the starter pack with the battery disconnected established that downstream of the battery was OK. Changed the battery now and all is good. My only concern is why I cant seem to keep a battery for more than 3 years.

Because you shop at Halfords

I recommend a Yuasa battery:
075 or 075T for higher cold cranking amps and longer duration.
http://www.yuasabatteries.co.uk/yuasa-p ... e-39-c.asp

[muley]

Chris, it's because you let the battery go flat (you pillock ) Put it on a trickle charger and all will be well.

Rgds

Jim

Jim, the battery had an internal short circuit. When I tried jump starting it off the Peugeot it flattened that battery too instantly. What I am doing is disconnecting the new battery while the car is stood up.

Oh, I take it all back - you are not a pillock.

Jim

[dapinky]

Oh, I take it all back - you are not a pillock.

Jim

Are you sure, Jim

I also agree with Phil ('coz he's a good bloke), but specifically in his recomendation of Yuasa batteries - i have them in both of mine and never had a problem......

....but then again one is on a battery conditioner, and the other gets used

[chris.t]

Dee uses those batteries on her electric golf trolley