Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

During conversion to Negative Earth and installation of a pre-engaged, geared starter (with integral solenoid), is it possible to retain the original remote starter solenoid in its original position, to use when working under the bonnet?

Wiring diagram suggestions welcomed!

Ta,
Pat.

Pat,
See the attached PDF file for a few wiring options.

Whether you buy the starter from British Starters, Dave Bean, JAE, rdEnterprises, or others... or even direct from Gustafson Specialty Products, Gustafson makes them. They adapt a Nippondenso geared starter to fit a variety of vintage cars, including most of the British sports cars... plus a few insignificants, like Ferrari.

http://www.gustafsonspecialty.com/

Regards,
Tim Engel

Esprit2 wrote:See the attached PDF file for a few wiring options.

Hmmm... well, I guess PDFs don't show up as an image on LotusElan.net. Let's try a JPEG, just as a talking point. Same image, different format.

Regards,
Tim Engel

Hi pat,
As you are in the UK this might be useful.
I have mentioned several times that I fitted a Powerlite starter to my car. They have one made, or more likely adapted for the Elan.
No wiring info required. The original cable from the starter solenoid should reach the starter terminal.
Also make sure the small wire for the internal solenoid is connected to the main starter motor terminal.
This leaves the original bulkhead solenoid in circuit, which can be useful and does not cause any problems. Further information comes with the motor if you want to do it differently.
Two screws and one wire and you are done.
Best of luck
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

An alternate way to do the solenoid bypass is to connect both the wire to the internal solenoid of the starter and the one from the ignition switch to the " power out terminal of the original solenoid at the firewall. This has the advantage of allowing you to crank the engine by pushing the button on the original solenoid but avoids using it (and possible failure) for the high starting current. Works great on mine. With apologies to Tim for reusing his excellent schematic see the attached.

The 4-schematic JPEG I posted previously is intended to be generic for Gustafson Britcar applications.

I'm a Europa owner and an Elan fan without a car, so I wasn't aware that the Elan starter solenoid had the integral push-switch. That's a nice 'plus'.

The attached 5-schematic JPEG adds an "Elan" schematic that includes the option of retaining the function of the Elan solenoid's integral push-switch. Compared to rviani's circuit, I've drawn it slightly differently; but it's functionally the same.

Regards,
Tim Engel

For my own edification, I snipped this illustration of the Elan starter solenoid out of a Parts Manual, and cleaned it up.

Regards,
Tim Engel

Not all the Elan starter solenoids have the push button. Mine doesn't and I think it was the original fitting.

However its only an inch or two of wire needed to bridge to the nice big fat terminal on the battery lead.