GM Electronics......

[kehoeautomotive]

Hi!! 

 

I really enjoy driving my Stevens Lotus around almost every weekend for a long time.  I've never had a problem with it before. I've done belts, fluids and filters, tune up and that's it! Until yesterday that is.

 

I had two problems with it on the same weekend and I need to know where I can collect some bits to get it back on it's feet. (The second problem is why I posted it here. and not with brakes)

 

My master cylinder started sinking to the floor and I could use a master cylinder. I found a rebuild kit and will redo it if I have to but can you purchase a complete master cylinder? 

 

And my next thoughts are to the check engine light that came on briefly the other night. I have a stumble off idle that is causing me grief in traffic. I've seen several complaints about this on the forum with lots of suggested solutions (no one posts their fix, though I will!). Before I start throwing parts at it I was hoping to collect some live data out of it.

 

Where can I purchase the connector and or the software to scan my car? I have a Snap On scanner with the GM1 connector and it does not plug in. Looks like Lotus uses it's own connector. Also the Snap On scanner does not support Lotus in it's software (I can lie to the scanner and tell it it's another 4 cylinder GM car and at least get readings from the sensors) but alas it's not a GM1 connector.

 

I am in the USA and there are not a lot of places over here. I hoping some place will ship international.

 

Oh yeah.... My fuel pump cut off switch / fuel pump crash sensor is cracked and I fear it may fall apart. Any idea where I can buy that as well?

 

Thanks to everyone for all of the great information and interesting stories I've read here.

Edited September 23, 2014 by kehoeautomotive

[Vanya]

Hi Thomas,

 

I added some comments to your original post below Welcome to the forum!

 

Hi!! 

 

I really enjoy driving my Stevens Lotus around almost every weekend for a long time.  I've never had a problem with it before. I've done belts, fluids and filters, tune up and that's it! Until yesterday that is.

 

I had two problems with it on the same weekend and I need to know where I can collect some bits to get it back on it's feet. (The second problem is why I posted it here. and not with brakes)

 

My master cylinder started sinking to the floor and I could use a master cylinder. I found a rebuild kit and will redo it if I have to but can you purchase a complete master cylinder? 

 

- Yep, sure can

 

And my next thoughts are to the check engine light that came on briefly the other night. I have a stumble off idle that is causing me grief in traffic. I've seen several complaints about this on the forum with lots of suggested solutions (no one posts their fix, though I will!). Before I start throwing parts at it I was hoping to collect some live data out of it.

 

- Lots of problems and solutions about stumbles off idle on the forum, but this can be due quite a lot of things. Does it happen mostly when cold? Does it get better when the car is warmed up? Does it stall out or dump revs low when you touch the gas to move from a standstill?

 

Where can I purchase the connector and or the software to scan my car? I have a Snap On scanner with the GM1 connector and it does not plug in. Looks like Lotus uses it's own connector. Also the Snap On scanner does not support Lotus in it's software (I can lie to the scanner and tell it it's another 4 cylinder GM car and at least get readings from the sensors) but alas it's not a GM1 connector.

 

The ALDL (Assembly Line Diagnostic Link) cable and software can be had via Lotus Esprit World. Link here:

http://www.esprit4sale.co.uk/Sale/pages/Diagnostics.html

 

I am in the USA and there are not a lot of places over here. I hoping some place will ship international.

 

Oh yeah.... My fuel pump cut off switch / fuel pump crash sensor is cracked and I fear it may fall apart. Any idea where I can buy that as well?

 

Probably SJ Sportscars or Lotusbits in the UK, but try JAE stateside?

 

Thanks to everyone for all of the great information and interesting stories I've read here.

[sanj]

I sell ALDL cables and USB adapters for use with FreeScan and EspritMon here in the USA, see my website at http://home.earthlink.net/~turboesprit2/bitsforsale.html to order.

 

The original fuel pump cutoff switch is no longer available, but JAE does sell a kit using the later style switch as used in the later cars.

 

Is your car chargecooled (SE)? If it is, an upgrade to the S4s chip is highly recommended. I can provide this as well.

[kehoeautomotive]

I sell ALDL cables and USB adapters for use with FreeScan and EspritMon here in the USA, see my website at http://home.earthlink.net/~turboesprit2/bitsforsale.html to order.

 

The original fuel pump cutoff switch is no longer available, but JAE does sell a kit using the later style switch as used in the later cars.

 

Is your car chargecooled (SE)? If it is, an upgrade to the S4s chip is highly recommended. I can provide this as well.

My car in not a SE. (I am assuming that the SE has an intercooler which I do not have.). I will see if JAE witll sell the the fuel pump cut off switch kit. Thanks!

 

Is there an updated chip for the non SE vehicle?

Edited September 27, 2014 by kehoeautomotive

[kehoeautomotive]

Thanks for the response Vanya!

 

My stumble is much worse when cold. When I stomp the gas while the car in is neutral there is a hesitation/delay and then the engine revs right up. The car seems to run fine otherwise. No missing and the check engine light only came on once while the engine was cold and I was in a stop and go situation in a parking lot. It went off after being on for about 30 seconds. It's a bear to drive in that situation. Traffic is not much worse.

 

I ordered the cable I need to scan the vehicle and I will look at the readings to see if anything looks out of whack. I also have access to a smoke machine and I will search for vacuum leaks but I know that most of the time a MAP sensored car is not as finikey about vacuum leaks.

 

Thanks again for the help! My cousin has moved to Sweden and I can't wait to visit. I also want to go to the Saab and Volvo museums!

[Vulcan Grey]

Vacuum leaks are a big deal to the Esprit (speaking of the 89 and newer GM injected ones). 

 

You do need freescan for your 89.  Though it is possible to read the check engine codes from the blinky light in the rear relay panel behind the engine.

 

The ECU and chips are different than the 89SE and later cars, they are unique to the 89, but very similar in the way that they work. 

[sanj]

Hi Thomas,

 

Where are you located?

[kehoeautomotive]

I am in New Orleans LA sanj....

 

 

I will get the scanner and post up the results when I get the cable parts I need to make it work. I will also smoke test the intake system for vacuum leaks and while I/m at it I will smoke test the emissions to look for the famous fuel smell from the gas tanks/vent tube people complain about.

 

Thanks for all of the responses guys!

[kehoeautomotive]

I just ran my first free scan! My TPS, Engine Temp, O2, IAC, MAP Readings all look normal to me. I don't know how to post up the scan yet as it was getting late but I will work on it again soon. I did notice that my spark advance was pegged off the scale at around 70 at idle. That did not look normal to me. Timing problem perhaps?

 

I did get one code. A code 24 for a VSS circuit. I assume that is Vehicle Speed Sensor. My speedo seems to read just fine.

 

Question.... Does GM1 store engine codes even if the check engine light goes back out?

[Vulcan Grey]

PM me and I'll send you my email address to send a freescan .csv file to.

 

Yes, codes will be stored even after the check engine light is out.  Some intermittent codes will be triggered and then the check engine light will go away after time, but repeating or really bad faults will cause the check engine light to stay on.