A funny thing happen on the way to an oil change... a week and a half ago..

[MikeW]

With the warm weather coming soon I decided to get an oil change and check on a couple of other small other items.  Nothing really big just some Small items, I initially was going to wait but glad I didn't would have needed a sleeping bag.

I took the car in on 10th and told them the driverside window made a slight noise, the alarm seemed to be too sensitive and was wondering if they had gotten an update for the dash software so that it would not lock up (only had mine do it once). 

Well the slight noise in the window was a major issue, the adhesive that held the mechanic in place had broken lose and they had to order that in an let and after application let it sit for a day.  When they talked to Lotus they had heard of the problem recently so don't ignore it if you hear a bit of a rattle (more than normal).

The alarm issue I assumed (why I don't know) that it would be easy to change the sensitivity, but they have to pull the seats out and the adjust it from there.  Also stated that it actually might relate to the all powerful "dome" light.  They have relaced the switch for it to see if that fixes anything. But still "testing"??

Finally the software issue they told me for any of the cars that had the "lock up" issue before the update usually take the update (locks up for one grand final time) and they have to put in a new dash. Didn't get a clear answer from them today on the current status... just said they were waiting to hear back from the lotus rep... which to me sounded bad!

Was not sure if anyone had any of the same issues or not.

So much for the quick oil change... hope to get it back soon.. before winter comes again!

Thanks for listening... my wife told me to be stop complaining. 

[talon]

If you want to talk to the Lotus rep directly, let me know - I have his cell #

[MikeW]

Thanks... So far they are saying the new dash is on its way, the alarm is fixed, and the window works.

Still no idea when I will get it back... hope to know tomorrow.

Thanks

[Burple_X]

Mike, when CharlieX reflashed my ECU he too care of the dash software issue.  As it happened, my car did the lock up soon after I got it.  I called Durham, they told me to unhook the battery and let the ECU reset and everything would be fine.. until it happened again    Fortunately, it didn't happen again... until after CharlieX did the reflash for the super charger.  When Korman started the car for the first time, the dash locked up.  They weren't aware of Lotus' problem and assumed it was a result of the reflash and called Charlie.  He knew exactly what it was, had them over night it back to Vegas and he took care of it.  Cost me an extra $55 for overnight shipping, but problem cured... until it does it again    First time it happened to me, I got the same story from Lotus of Durham that you got.  That was almost a year ago and a software update was forthcoming then.     Good luck with LoD... hey, this is perfect opportunity for you to tell your wife that CharlieX can fix it...you just need a Super Charger first!!!

Funny thing you mentioned the dome light and the alarm.  The dome light in the Lotus is just like the dome lights in older 911's.  With the delayed shut off, you can never tell if you have it set to turn off after you exit the car or if it's on until you turn it off manually.  So, I have had mine in the center "always off" position since right after I killed the battery the first time    That is, until about 2 weeks ago.  I figured out which was "always on" and which was "delayed shut off" and set it to delayed shut off.  Right after that, I started having problems with the alarm falsing.  Almost everytime I armed the alarm, within 60-90 seconds, the alarm would sound.  It happened 3 times that I am aware off and god only knows how many other times when I was out of ear shot.  Sunday, I was working in the car with the door open and turned the dome light to "Off".  No more false alarms!  I had no idea why (and still don't), but the dome light does have something to do with the alarm.  Apparently when the dome light switches off, the alarm sounds.  Or, if the dome light is in the delayed off position, as soon as the alarm arms itself, it sounds.  Either way, it has something to do with the dome light.

[MikeW]

Gary you can tell that our cars must have been made right after each other.

The news as of Friday was that the dash has completely locked up doing the upgrade and a will not respond to anything.  LoD is working with Lotus to get another one sent in.  But they have not had confirmation from Lotus when that will occur.... got the old we hope to hear something on Monday. 

They had told me the software update is needed on all '08 and that if you had not had it lock up before the update works perfect.  If it had locked up before you are out of luck and it does not "take" the upgrade.

The alarm and light are definitely connected.  Mine worked fine initially but has gotten to the point now that no matter, if the motion portion is on it goes off within 30-90 seconds.  Didn't realize that until the morning after it had gone off all night at a hotel... i got a lot of dirty looks after that. I was the same way with the light and always left it off but now no matter what it goes right off no matter what setting.  Lotus is saying they had not seen this before and still don't have a solution.

On the Supercharger front they say the Lotus one for the Elise will be available in the next week or two... with a big price (6K or so) but will keep the warranty. With the dash issue I am thinking the warranty might be important... not sure. 

I am going to put a Supercharger on just not sure to pay the extra for Lotus or Sector.

I will let you know what they come up with on the alarm front.

[Burple_X]

My understanding on the supercharger issue is, everything else on the car that was not altered by the install is still covered.  THat could be a big concern if the ECU continues to fail a system at a time (ie lock up, alarm, etc...).  Then again, CharlieX seems to have a better handle on the ECU than Lotus does.

The $6k price on the Lotus supercharger version is parts only.  You still have to pay for installation, another $3k, last time I inquired.  The Sector 111, installed, is less than $6k!  And that includes getting your ECU reflashed.  Bottom line, Lotus isn't going to let you take a regular Elise and supercharge it cheaper than you can buy their SC model.  You are welcome to come look at mine, drive the car and ask all the questions you want about it.  I am completely happy with my decision.  Give me a call some time.  Home is 99 three 526 six. <-I hate go ogle bots 

[MikeW]

When I asked Lotus about the warranty with a non Lotus supercharger they said exactly as you did that only items that were modified would not be covered.  The ECU would stop being covered so my current hope is that they put a new ECU in or fix mine this week. I want to give it a week or two and see how it works before making the final decision on the supercharger.  It would be hard to spend an extra 3K++ to keep a warranty for 2 more years when LofD stated the Sector 111 will be no different than the Lotus one. 

When I get mine back, hopfully this week, I will give you a ring and stop in and see your.  I am really itching to make a jump for the supercharger before we get too farm into summer.

[Burple_X]

... when LofD stated the Sector 111 will be no different than the Lotus one. 

Well, they may have tweaked the facts just a tad.  I think the Sector 111 set up offers more horsepower.  That was the other reason, as if I needed one, to go with Sector over Lotus.

[MikeW]

That is very interesting, they defiantly stated that it would be the same.

[Burple_X]

I was wrong, both claim the same gain.  I was thinking Sector's dynoed higher.

[MikeW]

Good to know, it is hard when talking to them to know exactly where their information is coming from, if you know what I mean. 

I have found that they are not very good at all on keeping you updated on things.. I am always calling them to find out.  They will say they will call but never seem to actually do it (it is like prom all over again).  The other dealerships I work with Acura and MB are incrediable in the service and communication... not so much so far with LoD so far.

 

[Burple_X]

My wife used to have a CLK 430.  I remember her first trip to MB for service.  She called me and told me what all they did to the car, including wiper blades, oil change, tire rotation and a bunch of stuff that no other dealership in the world covers under their free routine maintenance.  She was shocked when they delivered her car back to her, washed, waxed and with ZERO $$$ due.  Not to mention the nice loaner she drove all day.

Chevrolet, on the other hand, always gave us our Corvettes and Cadillac back with greasy hand prints all over the hood and steering wheel.  Forget the loaner, you might get a ride in the 10 yr old mini van if you lived within 5 miles of the dealership.  Or you could wait in the cold waiting area with stale popcorn and coffee.  (...and GM wonders why they are where they are now)

Anyway, I got off track.  Here is everything you ever wanted to know about superchargers.  You'll probably see how I got confused  ...

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f160/overview-supercharge-turbocharge-solutions-48412/

<Edit>  The above link is where I originally got my info on the differences between Lotus' SC cars and the after market Katana.  The above info DOES indicate a difference of 21 whp, advantage Katana!  Other info that I have since found (supplied by Lotus) says Lotus' system is equal to the Katana.  I guess we're back to the original subject of Lotus' campaign of "mis"information.

[MikeW]

That is a lot of data!, thanks for the link.  I will have to make the jump soon.  I don't want to miss much of the summer. 

Did pick up the car this AM.  All is fixed except the alarm, they said it will take a week of two to try to figure out what to do on it.  Am amazed since the have actually attached the window mechanics to the door how quite it is to drive!

I will be intersted to see what they say about the alarm, they did replace the interior light.  They said it was put in upside down! which might explain why the alarm has issue!

[Burple_X]

You know, that's what scares the hell out of me.  Supposedly something as simple as installing an interior light upside down can make the alarm futz up    What's wrong with that picture 

When my emergency flasher switch screwed up, it took out all my signal lights.  Everytime you started the car, you got a different effect.  One time all the light blinked.  Next time, none of the lights would work.  Next time, right signal made the left flasher work and visa versa.  Next time, all was well. 

And this deal of driving back and forth to Durham waiting on them to figure out what's wrong with the car is a total crock of pooh.  Gas and time off work isn't cheap. 

[glueShoe]

Don't want to hijack the thread but you mentioned comparison of Lotus SC to aftermarket, so I thought I would provide my recent dyno results of my 08 SC for your evaluation.