Gold FFM Chillidoggy Posted August 3, 2014 Gold FFM Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 Tried to connect the car up to the laptop yesterday, but no dice. But I can't work out if it's the laptop, or the lead. The lead (has a jack plug connector in line) did come from Nige, a member here, so I'm guessing it was working when he had it. The laptop is an old one, Toshiba SP6000, running XP, and has only ever been used for engine diagnostics using a port other than the USB connection. Although Espritmon and Freescan programmes load up ok, it doesn't seem to want to connect to either. Anyone in my area got a cable or laptop that I can try, before I rush out and buy new ones? Quote Margate Exotics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Sparky Posted August 3, 2014 Gold FFM Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 Gissa call if/when you're at the car and plugged in... Quote British Fart to Florida, Nude to New York, Dunce to Denmark, Numpty to Newfoundland. And Shitfaced Silly Sod to Sweden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Chillidoggy Posted August 3, 2014 Author Gold FFM Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 Just sat in the white van having a cuppa/bacon roll and reading the Sport (typical British workman). I'll give you a call in about 30 minutes. Quote Margate Exotics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Sparky Posted August 3, 2014 Gold FFM Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 Thanks for the heads-up. I'll try and keep to single-syllable words. Quote British Fart to Florida, Nude to New York, Dunce to Denmark, Numpty to Newfoundland. And Shitfaced Silly Sod to Sweden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Chillidoggy Posted August 3, 2014 Author Gold FFM Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 Progress report: After updating the laptop USB drivers I managed to get a connection to Espritmon via the boot plug. Freescan didn't want to work though, as I couldn't get it to see the COM6 port. The two plugs under the glove box, one marked as alarm, wouldn't connect. I've ordered an 3.5mm extension lead so I can run it through the seatbelt slot, with the laptop on the passenger seat. I might put a couple of photos up of the plugs if I get time. As Espritmon seems to be the better programme, it now remains to read the instructions, have another play, and work out how to save a file for examination by someone who actually knows what they're doing! Probably won't have time for that until next weekend, though. Quote Margate Exotics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigeninja Posted August 3, 2014 Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 I had it plugged in under the glove compartment mate and it worked fine,i do seem to remember some problems to get it to work at first but once I got it going it work every time all the time there after. Not much help I know but the cable deffo ok mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Chillidoggy Posted August 3, 2014 Author Gold FFM Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 It's not the cable Nige, that's fine, it's the plug under the dashboard. Looks like it's never been used before, maybe it needs a bit of cleaning up. Quote Margate Exotics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibs Posted August 3, 2014 Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 It's much further from the ECU, not uncommon for it not to work. Quote 88 Esprit NA, 89 Esprit Turbo SE, Evora, Evora S, Evora IPS, Evora S IPS, Evora S IPS SR, Evora 400, Elise S1, Elise S1 111s, Evora GT410 Sport Evora NA For forum issues, please contact the Moderators. I will aim to respond to emails/PM's Mon-Fri 9-6 GMT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Chillidoggy Posted August 4, 2014 Author Gold FFM Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 Bad connections en route? Or just the distance the tiny bits of current has to travel, maybe? Here's the plug I found, I think this is the right one - Quote Margate Exotics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanya Posted August 4, 2014 Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 The passenger footwell plug on my car is also a bit off compared to the boot one - the wires on the back aren't too robust and need to be redone. Try wiggling them around and see if it connects sporadically after that, then you'll have your answer. Did you find the plug dangling loosely or was it plugged into its "holder" down there? Quote Vanya Stanisavljevic '91 Esprit SE | '97 XK8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Chillidoggy Posted August 4, 2014 Author Gold FFM Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 It was plugged into a black plastic socket that is bolted to the back of the glove box, from what I could see, anyway. That's what made it so difficult to locate because purely by feel, it felt like it was plugged into something substantial, rather than simply loosely hanging down like the other diagnostic plug in the boot. The alarm plug also has a black cover, taped on the loom next to it. The wires look to be robust enough, though. But as Bibs suggested, people can sometimes have problems with those plugs. Quote Margate Exotics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodge1979 Posted August 4, 2014 Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 Sometimes my lead plays up I have the one thats got a jack plug connection half way along it..I finds it needs wiggling there sometimes to get a connection.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Chillidoggy Posted August 5, 2014 Author Gold FFM Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 As I said, the lead works fine from the connection in the boot, it's the footwell plug that doesn't seem to want to play. I will have another go at it at the weekend, though. Quote Margate Exotics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vulcan Grey Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 Bad connections en route? Or just the distance the tiny bits of current has to travel, maybe? Here's the plug I found, I think this is the right one - That is not the correct plug. Quote Travis Vulcan Grey 89SE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Chillidoggy Posted August 6, 2014 Author Gold FFM Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 In that case the search continues. Quote Margate Exotics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Chillidoggy Posted August 7, 2014 Author Gold FFM Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 Actually, it would really help me if someone could post a photo of their dashboard plug. I'm getting old, and decrepit, so I'm not entirely suited to the Lotus position! Quote Margate Exotics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vulcan Grey Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 Should look like this blue one http://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/topic/42882-not-wants-to-startelectrical-problems/page-2 Quote Travis Vulcan Grey 89SE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Chillidoggy Posted August 9, 2014 Author Gold FFM Report Share Posted August 9, 2014 Thank you for the plug picture Travis, but I can't see it too clearly at all. Also, my car is an S4s, with the revised wiring loom. Given some of the comments about the original fitting of the wiring loom, I'm wondering if I'm actually looking in the wrong place for the plug, it's probably under the driver's side! Quote Margate Exotics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodge1979 Posted August 9, 2014 Report Share Posted August 9, 2014 No mine is under the passenger side .but you do need to look for it! Assume the lotus position im afraid... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Chillidoggy Posted August 12, 2014 Author Gold FFM Report Share Posted August 12, 2014 I've ordered an LED camera off e-bay that plugs into a laptop. That way I can poke it around under the dash to search for the plug without risking a stay in hospital. Quote Margate Exotics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibs Posted August 12, 2014 Report Share Posted August 12, 2014 Forward facing camera on your phone and a torch? Quote 88 Esprit NA, 89 Esprit Turbo SE, Evora, Evora S, Evora IPS, Evora S IPS, Evora S IPS SR, Evora 400, Elise S1, Elise S1 111s, Evora GT410 Sport Evora NA For forum issues, please contact the Moderators. I will aim to respond to emails/PM's Mon-Fri 9-6 GMT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Chillidoggy Posted August 12, 2014 Author Gold FFM Report Share Posted August 12, 2014 Tried that, mixed results. Well, shit results, actually! The other thing is that the cable cam might be useful for poking into other inaccessible areas. Looking at the condition of your nuts, for example. I'm not as supple as I used to be, and it might help that. Quote Margate Exotics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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