Starting (again)

[andy1912]

So I posted the other day that I had bought a new battery and that had solved my starting woes. Not for long though... It took about 30 mins this morning to get the car going. I wonder if anyone here has any simple things I could try??

The engine turns over but just won't fire up. This is only the case first thing in the morning. It has been sitting for may be 12 hours or so. It can sit for a similar amount of time during the day whilst I am at work but always starts ok then.

The car never starts using the toggle switch alone these days I always have to use the clutch and accelerator to encourage the car to fire up.

It does seem to be especially tough to start after it's been raining, and my rain cover is out of use right now. Generally once I connect my wife's car battery it starts alright though this morning even that didn't work straight away. Yet I have a new Banner battery which I keep fully charged with a conditioner (CTEK).

Today I did have a number of misfires once the car got going.

I am happy to take it back to the Lotus mechanic who sorted this problem last time, there was a blocked fuel pump filter and he adjusted the map for the North of Scotland...

But if there were a few simple things I could check first that would be great. I do have the Easymap version 5 downloaded and I am going to pop in to Maplin tomorrow to pick up a 9 point male serial to usb cable so I can explore this though to be honest I don't know if that's a good idea!!!

Thanks

Andy

[DCL]

I'm not sure what car and ECU you've got, but serial ECU's need a non standard serial lead according to the SBD website

SBD said:

Serial type: MBE941 & 967 software version 460 onwards & MBE970 ECUs

IMPORTANT NOTE:
All serial type ECUs must only be linked to your computer using either a SBD mapping lead or a lead manufactured exactly to the details shown below.
DO NOT USE A STANDARD SERIAL LEAD AS THIS COULD CORRUPT YOUR MAPS/PROGRAM, DAMAGE THE ECU OR EVEN THE LAPTOP.

To me it sounds like dampness might be your problem. I'd try an get it under cover for a while to dry out and make sure all the HT side of things is clean and dry. Spark plug holes etc can get water pooling in them if it parked in the rain - the bonnet is poor for keeping rain out. The ECU plug can also get wet and cause problems. Good luck with sorting it.

[andy1912]

Thanks for that, I'm hoping it may be that simple. My wife kindly sewed the broken clip back on the car cover tonight so it's back on. Bit if luck I'll be in work on time tomorrow....