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Lotus Elise / Lotus Exige. Instruction - part 71

Page 61

Lotus Service Notes

Section MP

MP.3 - ELECTRIC WINDOWS (if ﬁtted)

On cars so equipped, switches for the electric windows are mounted in the front of the door trim panels,

and are operative only with the ignition switched on. To help locate the switches in the dark, an illuminated dot

is provided in the ‘down’ button which glows amber when the lights are switched on.

To lower a window, switch on the ignition and press the lower, dished end of the switch in the relevant

door. Release the switch to stop window movement. To raise a window, press the upper, domed end of the

switch. The electric window lift mechanismuses an electric motor and winder drum driving a steel cable around

top and bottom guide pulleys to a lift block. The window glass is ﬁxed to the lift block which is guided by a

vertical rail.

The door harnesses to support CDL and electric windows are routed to the scuttle area via a grommet in

the 'A' post area ahead of the door hinge post. Two 20A fuses for the window motors are tie wrapped to the

harness above the passenger footwell. Modules for the hazard lamps and wash/wipe functions, and relays for

the horn and inertia switch door open command, are mounted on the scuttle beam in the same area.

Illuminated

dot

Window up

Window down

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Lotus Service Notes

Section MP

MP.4 - SWITCHES & INSTRUMENTS - DRIVER'S INFORMATION

Ignition Switch/Steering Lock

The switch/lock is located on the right hand side of the steering column.

I - Insert the key into the slot, and turn clockwise to position ‘I’ to unlock the steering column. If the key is

reluctant to turn, wriggle the steering wheel to ease the load on the steering lock.

II - Turn to position ‘II’ to switch on the ignition and operate auxiliary equipment.

III - Turn further clockwise to ‘III’ against spring pressure to operate the starter motor. As soon as the engine

starts, allow the key to return to position ‘II’. For the correct starting procedure, see the later chapter

‘Starting Procedure & Running In’. To stop the engine, turn the key back to ‘I’.

Passive Immobilisation: If the ignition has been switched off for longer than four minutes, or longer than

one minute after switching off the ignition and opening the driver’s door, the passive immobilisation security

feature will operate and disable the ignition and starter circuits. This condition is indicated by the security

tell tale ﬂashing continuously. To mobilise the engine, press once, and for a full second, the larger of the

two buttons on the transmitter fob. The security tell tale will be extinguished.

B - To remove the key, turn fully counterclockwise to ‘B’ and withdraw. The steering column lock will be ac-

tivated when the key is withdrawn but may not engage until the steering is turned and the mechanism is

aligned.

DO NOT leave the ignition switched on for long periods without the engine running, since although the

engine ignition system itself draws no current when the engine is stopped, a battery drain will occur through

other circuits even when auxiliary equipment is not being used.

For security reasons, and to guard against battery drain, always remove the key when leaving the car.

WARNING:

Do not push or tow the car unless the key is ﬁrst used to unlock the column and is then left in the

lock.

Never withdraw the key until the vehicle is stationary.

- To reduce the risk of theft, or danger to a child remaining in the vehicle, always remove the key

when leaving a parked car.

Tell Tale Lamps

A block of tell tale lamps is incorporated

into the instrument cluster to indicate the

operational status of various systems.

Bulb Check

In order to check that the warning systems

are operative, all the tell tale lamps (except the

‘security’ tell tale; see Vehicle Security Alarm)

should light for about six seconds following

ignition switch on. If any lamp should fail to

light, it is possible that the bulb or warning

circuit may be faulty.

S.I.R. (Airbag) Tell Tale (USA h)

The Supplementary Inﬂatable Restraint system has a self-diagnostic facility which lights the red tell tale

if a fault is detected. As a bulb and circuit check, the tell tale will light brieﬂy when the ignition is switched on,

and then go out. If the lamp lights at any other time, a fault in the S.I.R. system is indicated, which should be

rectiﬁed without delay.

Turn Tell Tale (a)

When the left hand or right hand turn indicators are operating, this green tell tale ﬂashes in unison. The

ﬂasher relay may also be heard to operate. If the tell tale fails to light, or ﬂashes at an unusual or irregular rate,

check the operation of the turn indicator lamps immediately.

a b c d e

Euro

f g h i j k

a b c d e

USA

f g h i j k

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Lotus Service Notes

Section MP

Seat Belt Tell Tale (b)

The red seat belt tell tale is provided as a reminder that both driver and passenger should always wear the

seat belts, no matter how short the journey. The lamp will light for about 8 seconds following ignition switch on,

before being extinguished. On USA market cars, and other markets from December 2005, the lamp will ﬂash

until the driver's seat belt is fastened, accompanied for the ﬁrst eight seconds by an audible chime.

Brakes Tell Tale (c)

This tell tale will glow red with the ignition switched on whenever the parking brake is applied. Driving

the car with the brake not fully released will cause overheat damage to the rear brakes. Each time the parking

brake is released, check that the tell tale is extinguished.

With the parking brake released, if the tell tale should light at any time after the check period, stop the car

immediately, as the circuit has detected a dangerously low level of brake ﬂuid in the master cylinder reservoir,

possibly caused by a hydraulic leak in one of the separate front or rear brake circuits. There is a danger that

air may enter the hydraulic system and cause spongy operation and extended pedal travel. The divided brake

circuit should ensure that emergency braking remains, but the car should not be driven until the fault has been

identiﬁed and rectiﬁed.

Oil Pressure Tell Tale (d)

This red tell tale warns of low engine oil pressure. The lamp will be lit whenever the ignition is on and

the engine is stopped, but should extinguish as soon as the engine is started. If the lamp fails to go out after

engine start up, or comes on when the engine is running, stop the engine immediately and do not restart until

the cause has been investigated and rectiﬁed. Continuing to run the engine with little or no oil pressure could

cause major internal damage, possibly resulting in seizure.

Low Fuel Level Tell Tale (e)

When only a single segment of the fuel gauge bar graph remains, representing approximately 5 litres, this

amber tell tale will ﬂash. Refuel at the next opportunity.

ABS Tell Tale (f)

This amber tell tale should light for about four seconds following ignition switch on, and then go out. If

the lamp remains lit, or comes on whilst driving, a fault in the ABS is indicated. The base brake system will

continue to operate normally, but without ABS regulation. The car can be driven but should be checked and

repaired at the earliest opportunity.

Main Beam Tell Tale (g)

This lamp glows blue whenever the headlamp main beams are operating.

Rear Fog Lamps Tell Tale (Euro h)

This lamp glows amber whenever the rear fog lamps are operating (see ‘Rear Fog Lamp Switch’).

Battery Charging Tell Tale (i)

This red tell tale will light whenever the ignition is on and the engine is stopped. If it lights any time that

the engine is running, the battery is not being charged, which may be due to a broken alternator drive belt, or

an electrical fault. Urgent attention is required, but as the engine coolant pump is independently driven, the

car need not be stranded, subject to battery condition and local circumstances.

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (k)

The engine Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is provided to warn the driver that the engine management

system has detected a fault which may result in increased noxious emissions from the exhaust. In order to mini-

mise emissions and potential engine damage, various operational limitations may automatically be applied.

If the MIL lights continuously whilst driving, immediately reduce speed and adopt a moderate driving style.

Seek dealer advice without delay and avoid all unnecessary journeys.

ii) If the MIL ﬂashes, an engine misﬁre has been detected which is likely to cause overheat damage to the

catalytic converter. Slow down immediately and be prepared to stop.

If the MIL then stops ﬂashing, and is lit continuously, proceed with caution and seek dealer advice.

If the MIL continues to ﬂash, stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so, and switch off the engine. Seek

dealer advice.

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Lotus Service Notes

Section MP

Note:

Continuing to drive the car with a ﬂashing MIL may cause overheat damage to the catalytic converter and

increased noxious emissions.

In order to comply with emissions regulations, data regarding activation of the MIL is recorded in the engine

electronic controller, and may be downloaded by Lotus dealers.

Security/RPM Tell Tale

The security tell tale is located at the top of the tachometer display, and indicates the status of the im-

mobiliser and alarm.

Tell tale out; engine is mobilised, and the alarm is off.

Tell take ﬂashing; engine is immobilised, or alarm is armed and engine immobilised.

For full details of the vehicle security system, refer to the earlier section ‘Vehicle Security’. Note that the

tell tale also functions as a high engine speed (rpm) warning - see ‘Tachometer’.

Instruments

Speedometer

This instrument displays road speed in either MPH (with a secondary scale in km/h), or km/h according

to market.

Tachometer

The tachometer indicates engine speed in revolutions per minute. A safeguard in the engine management

system limits the maximum continuous engine speed to 8000 rpm once normal running temperature has been

attained. Very short bursts up to 8500 rpm are allowed during maximum acceleration through the lower gears.

A 6000 rpm limit is imposed on a cold engine in order to reduce possible damage from unsympathetic use.

The use of wide throttle openings and/or high rpm before normal running temperature has been reached will

result in premature wear and should be avoided. Do not run the engine continuously at its maximum speed,

or allow overspeeding to occur on the overrun by changing down through the gears too early, as this imposes

very high loads on engine components, resulting in premature wear and possible failure.

A red tell tale lamp in the top of the tachometer face lights at high rpm (dependent on gear engaged) to

warn that maximum engine speed is being approached. When exploiting full acceleration, gearchange upshifts

should be made immediately the tell tale lights. Note that this lamp also functions as a security system tell

tale (see ‘Vehicle Security’).

Recalibration of the tachometer needle position will occur during a three second period following ignition

switch on, but if a needle becomes 'stranded' outside of the re-calibration range, the following procedure should

be followed:

With the vehicle stationary;

On airbag equipped cars, ﬁrst remove

fuse C3 (beneath fascia);

Open driver's door;

Press and hold trip reset button on

column shroud;

Turn on ignition;

Turn off ignition and reﬁt fuse C3.

If this procedure should fail to zero the

needles, the battery should be disconnected

for 10 seconds.

Security/RPM tell tale

Tachometer Speedometer

INSTRUMENT POD

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