Engine cuts out mysteriously, now won't start

[madbilly]

Paperclip revealed no codes so it's an intermittent fault. When it happens the engine keeps turning, it doesn't stall and i hear the throttle working but no increase in revs at all.
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Update, engine has now cut out twice on dual carriageway at about 70 mph. Will restart after minute or so but struggles to keep idle. Will do paperclip test.
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Hi all,

Engine cut out on roundabout (France, so turning left). Pulled over, couldnt restart but engine would turn and fire, sounded like no fuel. After a desperate attempt just in case it then did restart and have had no problems since. Now I recall a couple of v low speed stalls in past couple of days after just setting off, maybe related?

So, ideas? Currently driving north through France, about halfway up now and can't really afford a big delay.

Cheers

[madbilly]

Engine won't even get going again now, just very lumpy , cannot rev it, it struggles then dies. Don't know whether to wait for it to cool and check some things or call ADAC now.

[madbilly]

+33752625321 if anyone's got any ideas. On the N7 next to St Pierre le Moutier, near Magny Cours circuit ( wonder how many Lotuses broke down there ! ).

[tb10]

Try unplugging the ECU and then reconnect it. It may need a hard reset?

[madbilly]

Thanks tb10, how to remove those clips on the plugs on the ECU ? I disconnected and reconnected the battery, let's see if it works

[tb10]

If you’ve got a 10mm spanner / socket you’ll have to undo at least two of the nuts that hold the ECU in place behind the glovebox. There should be a press tab on each plug? Not near my car atm so going from memory. I hope this helps / works?

[madbilly]

I got the ECU out but the press tabs didn't seem to do anything.

[tb10]

Give them a wiggle. Perhaps they haven’t been out since manufacture? They definitely come out.

I broke down in the slow lane of a 4 lane contra flow on the M6 (no hard shoulder) and my symptoms were as you describe. Battery terminals off don’t work but the ECU removal did. Odd but it’s never happened since….

[HJ2]

Oh dear!

Call ADAC!
Do you hear the injectors click? Perhaps a loose earth connection?
Fuel pressure regulator springs to mind. All vacuum lines attached?

[madbilly]

Apparently I'm on an autoroute so ADAC can't help, but will pay.

I unplugged and replugged the ECU, now it doesn't seem to fire at all.

Can't work out if the injectors click or not, when should they click? Not sure where to start with earth connections. Yes I think all vacuum lines are attached. Where is the fuel pressure regulator?

Too hot thirsty and hungry to think properly.

[tb10]

Hmmm, re clicking: ignition on and then manually operate the throttle body in the engine bay and listen for clicks on the injector rail.

If you have an alarm / central locking, lock the car / set the alarm and then disable. That may re-activate the ECU.

[tb10]

Does the fuel pump prime / operate for 2 seconds when you turn the key to #2?

[madbilly]

Okay, fuel pump is no longer priming when I turn on ignition.

Not sure if injectors are clicking or not, what i can hear may be the throttle cable creaking!

[tb10]

Does the fuel pump relay click when the ignition is switched on? The fuel pump relay is a slim ‘micro relay’ and is used in most modern cars but I think there’s a spare (but used) under the binnacle?

Look here:

http://wikilec.com/view/Relays

Also, the inertia switch hasn’t tripped has it?

[madbilly]

I don't hear the relay click. The inertia switch was not up, but I pulled it up and put it down again anyway.

[tb10]

Can you locate a similar relay and swap it out?

Also, these symptoms are similar as there’s also a relay bridge option:

https://forum.lotuselancentral.com/view ... 38&t=25777

[madbilly]

Recovery service here now so time up

[madbilly]

Thanks for the help everyone , I'm obviously quite out of practice, need to get my Elan-Fu back.

[HJ2]

They transported it? Of fixed it!

[madbilly]

Transported it. I think that's all they do in France, get the money for the tow then get more money for fixing it at the garage. .. when they can be bothered!