Lotus Elan

Engine cutting out

PostPost by: Tim » Sun Oct 15, 2023 8:46 pm

A strange thing happened today. Out early for a trip in my Elan ('74 Plus 2S 130/5) and 3 times in the engine cut out momentarily. Complete loss of power, coasted to a stop, then fired up immediately on first attempt. It happened 3 times. The third time it happend I noticed the ignition warning light came on and I was even able to restart it without actually coming to a stop. Alternator is an almost new PowerLite unit, ignition circuit wiring was replaced this year. Engine and battery earth connections are new. Its spooked me a bit. Anyone got any ideas what might be happening?
Last edited by Tim on Sun Oct 15, 2023 10:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1974 Elan Plus 2S 130/5.
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PostPost by: friedy » Sun Oct 15, 2023 9:00 pm

I had similer thing, intermittent cutting out but able to restart staright away, turned out to be ignition switch.
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PostPost by: Tim » Sun Oct 15, 2023 9:49 pm

Ah, that's interesting. Was it the electrical part of the swicth that was the problem? Like this part?
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PostPost by: webbslinger » Mon Oct 16, 2023 2:12 am

I suspect the ignition switch also. The same thing happened to me, on a bridge in heavy traffic, but it started again with a wiggle of the key before much speed was lost. Yes to that part.
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PostPost by: reb53 » Mon Oct 16, 2023 5:25 am

I've also had an ignition switch do that.
When I pulled it apart it was very dirty and worn looking.
I also had that once due to the anti theft switch in the glove box, whenever going over a particularly bad bump.
I, like everyone, wired it out of the system.

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PostPost by: friedy » Mon Oct 16, 2023 5:58 am

Tim, yes the electical part at the rear of the switch, if i remember correctly there is a tiny grub screw on the side which holds it in
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PostPost by: alanr » Mon Oct 16, 2023 8:35 am

I have had this a couple of times and suspect my ignition switch.
Can the electrical bit be bought separately or is just a case of remove and clean up?

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PostPost by: MACCA.GLM » Mon Oct 16, 2023 9:12 am

Hello

I had a similar problem on my sprint 3 weeks ago. I traced the problem to a faulty 3 pin plug from my distributor wires 3 off electronic ignition to loom. I cut it out and fitted 3 bullet connectors. seems ok now.

Regards

G
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