FLASHING WARNING LIGHT

[avaminit]

Hi All,

I have a 99T Elise 111s.

Today driving to work the cat overheating light flashed at me several times. With this there was a hesitation on acceleration around 4500 revs.

I eased off and the light went out. I got to work and drove the car later from cold and all was fine. Some 10 minutes later under hard acceleration the light flashed again. I thought that I would try to accelerate through it and the light stayed on (no flashing) and it felt like it was running on 3 cyclinders.

I pulled over and turned off the ignition and waited a few minutes before setting off again.

All was fine again until some 10 minutes later and it started flashing occasionaly around 4500 rpm.

Its not a problem when driving slow or less than 4500rpm. And the problem is not aleays there.

Has an Induction kit, and sports exhaust, Oil level is fine, miles are lowish at 54000. Recently serviced, Cambelt sound and valve clearance were checked not too long ago too.

Sorry for the essay but does anybody have any suggestions???

Cheers Mark

[S Works]

At a guess... a shagged catalytic converter.

[avaminit]

S Works said:

At a guess... a shagged catalytic converter.

Sounds simple enough so I guess youmay be right.....
Anybody any further Suggestions???

[Philygumbo]

Get your local dealer to plug in the diagnostics, it could be just a sensor. /glass half full mode.

[avaminit]

Whats glass half full mode??

[andy_s]

Phily is being optimistic, hopefully a sensor and not the cat...

(Glass half full / glass half empty)

[Gad-Westy]

Its very unlikely to be the cat. The MIL system (which triggers the light) is a misfire prevention system to stop the cat overheating. Essentially, unless your MIL is faulty (which does happen), you have something causing a misfire and the ecu is cutting ignition to two cylinders. The bad news is that there are a whole host of things that could cause it but the first thing you need to do is whip the spark plugs out and have a look at them. If you don't know what you're looking for, take a photo of them in the order they came out and stick it on here. While you're doing it, check the ends of the spark plugs leads as well for signs of water ingress and rust.

[avaminit]

Hi and thanks to those who shared their opinions.

Took the elise to lotus who put their computer and cleared the fault codes and informed me that the car should be now ok.

They also told me it had 2 outstanding safety recalls to be done FOC but would normally cost £800 + labour.

These recalls could apparantly could contribute to the Engine Management Light flashing should the fault re-occur.

Well £20 + VAT lighter (cheap I guess) and 20 minutes down the road the light re-appears. BUGGER.....

So today I bought a New battery for the electric fence in my wife horse field, which I chose carefully (calcium jobby). Popped it in the lotus and WD40'd the old one which looks like new. He he, she's none the wiser.

Then treated it to some new platinum plugs. And.....Wait for it....
She's all sorted.....

No flashing lights...TANFASTIC..

Cheers Chaps...


...

[Gad-Westy]

Sounds promising mate. I suppose it could have been either the spark plugs or a failing battery terminal. One thing I would suggest doing that's been a miracle cure on mine is to seal the rear edge of the spark plug cover. Wickes sell some black 5mm bathroom sealing strip that fits perfectly along the edge and should prevent water getting into the number 1 spark plug well, which -if your car is anything like mine- was probably the cause of your problems. I also sprayed some Halfords damp start/sealing spray around the electrical connections that are exposed to the elements. Seems to have helped matters no end.