Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi all.
I've spent several days trying to start the +2 after winter storage, but no success.
Car is fitted with Luminition ignition.
Gives a weak spark to plug #1, nothing to the other three. Petrol is getting in.

Have fitted a new coil, still no change to the sparks.

Have talked to several people here in Norway, and I ended with me removing the Luminition thing this weekend, and fitted a distributor from another old Ford engine.

Still, only a weak spark on plug # 1, nothing on the other three.

I'm soon to give up the whole damn thing..
Is there anything else I can/could/should do, before I take the car to a garage? Or sell it real cheap as a donor-car for somebody...

Luckily, Caterham works well, though it was a bit cold driving to work this morning; -3 Celcius is cold to the ears and fingers...

- BA, spark on one plug would normally suggest distributor-problem, or bad plugs.....Silly question maybe; - did you change the plugs and leads...? Have you tried to pull-start the car ? I have seen defective ignition-switches that can make things difficult...but, with spark on one plug.......Maybe not..! ( - is the petrol fresh, or from "way back"...?)

DH

Dag-Henning wrote:- BA, spark on one plug would normally suggest distributor-problem, or bad plugs.....Silly question maybe; - did you change the plugs and leads...? Have you tried to pull-start the car ? I have seen defective ignition-switches that can make things difficult...but, with spark on one plug.......Maybe not..! ( - is the petrol fresh, or from "way back"...?)

DH

New petrol
New leads (well, not on the 'new' distributor fitted')
New plugs...
No pull start - where to fasten the rope???

Perhaps we could arrange a 'start Elan' meeting, Dag Henning...?

Check for 12 volts at the coil? Poor earth somewhere? Condensor? Ballasted or non ballasted coil?
Al Cowan

sulzeruk wrote:Check for 12 volts at the coil? Poor earth somewhere? Condensor? Ballasted or non ballasted coil?
Al Cowan

12V at coil when ignition on - OK (non-ballasted coil is fitted)

Earth.. Have fitted an extra earth cable for the engine, so that really shouldn't be a problem - but with a Lotus you never know...

- we'll just have to meet.....A challenge I can't refuse !!
PM on its way.
DH

Ignition problems can be such complete bastards to source, I really hope you find the fault.

As soon as you drive it again you'll change your mind about selling it... I drove it twice yesterday (not today in the cold morning), and due to me having to go to work VERY early tomorrow morning, I'll drive past your office at about 0715 in the Lotus, Bjorn.






PS: On another note; am looking to replace the everyday car before the summer, and tried the much hyped Nissan Qashqai... with a diesel engine with NO power whatsoever, and the whole experience reminding me of a cheap plastic remote control car with a lot of special effects and A LOT of flimsy plastic....
Went straight from that to trying a 3 year old BMW 316i, and a different world altogether.

Don't forget the rotor arm.

Ian

thor wrote:..... having to go to work VERY early tomorrow morning, I'll drive past your office at about 0715 in the Lotus, Bjorn.

0715 is not VERY early, I start at 7AM every day (exept today, easter freedom )
Better look out of the window for you, then. A withe +2, isn't it?
I'll have to drive the Mondeo tomorrow, as I am to bring a set of extra De'lloro'es for a friend at work.

Young Mr Nielsen will drop by after work tomorrow, to give me a helping hand and a more cleaver head then I got. Hopefully it will run agaiin tomorrow...

But; it's for sale, wife need new kitchen....

I'll be at the toll booth seen from your window about 0715.

The one in the white Lotus/silver roof opening his drivers door to make the circuit complete for the passenger window to open, so I can pay my 20kroner...Lotus electrics!

I'd pop by tomorrow night as well, but am leaving the car at work to be picked up and go to Norefjell for a day at a client's winter apartment to oversee some work.

Will you keep the car if I can sort you out a 15% discount on our kitchens?
www.expo-nova.no

The +2 is running again!!!

Mr Nielsen dropped by in my garage tonight, on his way to easter vacation. Bringing a spare distributor from his own Elan, he cured my ***** problem in no time, all while I was busy selling the Caterham... So; I lost one car, but got another back on the road!

Dag Henning let me even borrow his own distributor, until I get a new one on my own. What a guy!!

Unfortunately I'm going away on easter vacation tomorrow; can't wait to get back home.

Dag Henning; tusen takk for hjelpen (Thanks very much for your kind help).

This summer will hopefully see me driving the Elan a lot, as the Caterham is sold...

Happy easter to you all, I know mine will be