Slow idle 2003 111S

[sp60]

Being the geek that i am, I was reading the manual last night about the idle speed
of the 111S being around 830rpm, slowing down a bit once warm. Now the engine sounds
ok at idle, if a little slow, but the rev counter displays about 200rpm which surely
cant be right?

Here's a pic of the rev display engine warm and idling.
Is this normal?!
Not too worried as it doesn't cut out or stall at all, just seems odd.

www.0512.co.uk/jet/gallery/albums/album02/DSCN0837.sized.jpg

lots of thanks in advance

[gooby]

If you aren't having any problems with it then why worry?

[sp60]

Two reasons really, first being that if it was a common 'fault' and there there was a known
resolution, it would be nice to know! Other being, if the rev counter is misreading, I was
wondering if this would have an affect on the shift light or rev limiter.

But the real reason is that it's a new car and any little thing is noticed at the mo.

[shangani]

It cannot be revving at 200 rpm - it would stall. Your gauges sound like they might need to be rezeroed. This is what you can do:

1) Open the car door (ie keep door open)

2) With ignition off, press and hold down the trip reset button (black button on the steering console)

3) Turn ignition key to on position.

The needles will jump up and down and then reset to zero. If it isn't that, at least it only takes 10 seconds to remove this as a possibility.

I just looked at your picture - the speedo is also below zero - the above fix will sort you out.

>> Edited by shangani on Thursday 4th May 16:09

[sp60]

Hello mate,

thanks for that, got all excited and dashed outside to try it.
the needles vibrated really rapidly then settled, but didn't move that
far. The dash showed a serial number or firmware version number and a date
then it all set back to normal. Doesn't seem to have sorted the problem with
the revs showing low though. I'll have another go tomorrow I'm a bit too tired
to do it properley tonight! Not sure I did it properley!

thanks again for the tip though

[shangani]

Sorry that didn't work. Does the speedo read 0 when you are stationary?

[S works]

Do it a few times - if no joy, call Lotus for advice

[sp60]

shangani said:

Sorry that didn't work. Does the speedo read 0 when you are stationary?

Bit of a slow reply, stitch's posting prompted me to revisit this!
No the speedo doesn't read 0 when stationary as can be seen here:
www.0512.co.uk/jet/gallery/albums/album02/DSCN0839.sized.jpg
In fact it only reads 0 whilst moving along at idle speed in 2nd gear (experimented in traffic
on the way home the other day!)
Also looking back through the car documentation, there is a note on the last service bill that
reads 'dash under reading'. Now I'm worried that the speedo is under reading too. As i go through
a minimum of 4 speed traps a day this is a reasonably serious concern! I guess I need a GPS to
test it proper

[sp60]

S works said:

Do it a few times - if no joy, call Lotus for advice

You mean lotus itself or would a dealer be better?
ta