Heater problem, late type dash

[Loose Cannon]

I am getting no air out of my footwell vents at the moment. I have eliminated the dash selector switch (sadly) which I suppose now means huge amounts of work to get at the heater unit.

Does anyone have any experience of this to pass on? In other cars with such problems I have been upside down, seats removed etc etc all to get under the dash, I can't imagine how to do it on this thing.

Also can anyone confirm if the actuation of the valves at the heater end is vacuum or electric?? I was always led to believe that when the late dash (1998) cars came out the vacuum element was superceded. However the current Lotus surplus parts flyer (which says the valves are currently discounted) states that one part fits all.

I'm confused (and cold).

[S4S280]

I am getting no air out of my footwell vents at the moment. I have eliminated the dash selector switch (sadly) which I suppose now means huge amounts of work to get at the heater unit.

Does anyone have any experience of this to pass on? In other cars with such problems I have been upside down, seats removed etc etc all to get under the dash, I can't imagine how to do it on this thing.

Also can anyone confirm if the actuation of the valves at the heater end is vacuum or electric?? I was always led to believe that when the late dash (1998) cars came out the vacuum element was superceded. However the current Lotus surplus parts flyer (which says the valves are currently discounted) states that one part fits all.

I'm confused (and cold).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oh come on Mark , you know all Lotus cars are built around the heater matrix

[fflyingdog]

Oh come on Mark , you know all Lotus cars are built around the heater matrix 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi

According to my manual and my car(1995 S4s) the heaters are controlled by vacum which is a complete pain in the arse to get at but to simply check that the valves are working check that the vacum pipes are connected to the valves ,when i had my alarm installed ,the fitter(use the term "fitter" very loosely) he had disconnected two of the pipes to the valves(pulling cable bundles through) thus no flaps had any command to open/close.i gained access to mine through the drivers footwell with a good inspection light and a fine pair of pin nose pliers (i have lost my radio removal tools other wise removing radio to gain access may help a tadge)if you turn your ingnition "on" you will hear your vacum pump running after a few seconds it should stop.........if it doesn"t stick your head under the dash and listen for a hissing noise ........simple have plentifull supply of food and water and should only take all day !or get your Missus to try to do it small hands get in all the awkward places.

Nick S4s

[S4S280]

And I want an S4 - bloody hell that sounds a bit of a job

[WayneB]

Sounds like the S4 uses the same system as the S3 Giugaiaro Esprits. I did a post for Jimmi Bondi and Jussi going into the fixes for this problem( more than likely, hoses detached whilst installing a C.D. player in the dash/console)

[CNH]

Actuation valves are behind the radio pod by saddle clamps to a metal strap if these plunger valves move by as much as 1/16-1/8 of an inch in the saddle clamp they will not work properly. Most cases a hard plastic line has become unpluged from a T or elbow connector.

Calvin

[CNH]

Oh forgot to mention that sometimes the rods and cam that works the actual valves might fall off or become disconnected.

[Guest ibayliss]

I had a similar problem after fitting a new radio to my S4.

I can confirm that it was a pipe pulled out of a T piece. Clue was the continual running of the Vacum motor.

What a pig of a job to fit it back on but in the end I did it.