Air con known issue -no fix yet [EDIT: now with official fix]

[emirahl]

Due to my frustration with the aircon saga, I did a test drive on a roadster (not mid engine), pricewise comparable to the Emira.
Conclusion: Would never trade in the Emira for that, even with all the little problems she has.

 

[drummingj]

I saw this posted much earlier on in the 18 pages of this thread... does this mean the water-sensitive Resistor is an officially known issue / official recall? seems everyone here is just going in 1 person at a time, rather than under a formal service initiative ...

 

[SteveB]

I saw this posted much earlier on in the 18 pages of this thread... does this mean the water-sensitive Resistor is an officially known issue / official recall? seems everyone here is just going in 1 person at a time, rather than under a formal service initiative ... View attachment 52065

The resistor pack issue is a well known problem (water ingress leading to failure) and sooner or later will affect all Emiras produced before measures taken to rectify (improved water shielding). Lotus fully aware and should be a recall. Currently down to owners to catch AC problems and raise with their Lotus dealers within the 3 year warranty period.

 

[Beachbum]

The resistor pack issue is a well known problem (water ingress leading to failure) and sooner or later will affect all Emiras produced before measures taken to rectify (improved water shielding). Lotus fully aware and should be a recall. Currently down to owners to catch AC problems and raise with their Lotus dealers within the 3 year warranty period.

Sod that, mines going into the dealers next month, due to a separate issue. I will raise it with them then and have them sort it out at the same, plus any other items that are known and can be dealt with. Hopefully s/w update too

 

[drummingj]

Slightly disappointing development on this one... The garage say that I had the HVAC water shield installed prior to collection of the new car... so the resistor has failed in 2 months even with the shied fitted...

now I'm looking at another 3 weeks wait until they actually repair it... so more driving in the rain with the windows open

 

[Honcho]

A lot of people seem to have an issue where the AC either blow full or not at all. In my car the front window blower always blows cold air even when the other vents are blowing hotter air, unless I crank the heat up to max. Anyone else experiencing this or is it normal?

 

[Nellie]

Slightly disappointing development on this one... The garage say that I had the HVAC water shield installed prior to collection of the new car... so the resistor has failed in 2 months even with the shied fitted...

now I'm looking at another 3 weeks wait until they actually repair it... so more driving in the rain with the windows open

I was an early build that had the modified resistor pack and water channel modification fitted, alas today the Aircon failed again, this is the 3rd failure, car is in for new doors in a couple of weeks due to blisters so they will look at it again then.

I did manage almost 5 months with no issues, my car lives outside and evidently the recent weather and rain has had its way with the resistor pack again.

 

[Aero]

Just had the AC 'shield' thing done and was tracking down a possible issue in the cowl. (see NA prob thread) Was curious also for a better view (both sides) of the shield too. Here is a better view of it. Basically a large flap of plastic. I slightly improved the folds to channel water away and not pool up.
The way the shield is attached may add an extra minor step when its time to do the pollen filter though.

 

[Biggles of Norwich]

I was an early build that had the modified resistor pack and water channel modification fitted, alas today the Aircon failed again, this is the 3rd failure, car is in for new doors in a couple of weeks due to blisters so they will look at it again then.

I did manage almost 5 months with no issues, my car lives outside and evidently the recent weather and rain has had its way with the resistor pack again.

Interesting. I'm in the UK, July 23 build, car lives outside, had resistor fixed Dec 23, shield fitted Sept 24, no further issues. Done about 4.5K miles, so it's been used! New passenger door on order due to paint blisters. Absolutely love the car though.

 

[drummingj]

I received some pics from Lotus Kent when they replaced my failed resistor - hope this is helpful to some people?

the 'water shield' sheet was already fitted upon delivery (pictured), so they have beefed up the water protection by sealing the plastic enclosure that the resistor lives inside.. so hopefully its going to be forever waterproof now.

 

[seriously]

I received some pics from Lotus Kent when they replaced my failed resistor - hope this is helpful to some people?

the 'water shield' sheet was already fitted upon delivery (pictured), so they have beefed up the water protection by sealing the plastic enclosure that the resistor lives inside.. so hopefully its going to be forever waterproof now.

Yikes. That’s ALOT of bolts.

 

[Aero]

I received some pics from Lotus Kent when they replaced my failed resistor - hope this is helpful to some people?

the 'water shield' sheet was already fitted upon delivery (pictured), so they have beefed up the water protection by sealing the plastic enclosure that the resistor lives inside.. so hopefully its going to be forever waterproof now.

Your first pic that shows the shield in place looks quite different (better) than my install by dealer (2 posts up). LHD and RHD differences aside. The folds and fitment is different.
Dont think mine has that reservoir labeled power steering on cap in front of the cabin/pollen filter either. On the V6 the manual says thats in the engine bay.
EDIT: Maybe you have the AMG?

 

[Nick Sticks]

Not the best looking solution but I suppose if it fixes the problem.

 

[Ianb]

My air con only seems to want to run full fan / lowest temp. As soon as i increase the temperature it turns off and is normal fan. Is this normal or part of the fault?

 

[Biggles of Norwich]

My air con only seems to want to run full fan / lowest temp. As soon as i increase the temperature it turns off and is normal fan. Is this normal or part of the fault?

Not sure what you mean - are you saying that when you get in the car and press the start button, the air con comes on full fan and low temp, irrespective of what it was set to previously?

 

[drummingj]

Your first pic that shows the shield in place looks quite different (better) than my install by dealer (2 posts up). LHD and RHD differences aside. The folds and fitment is different.
Dont think mine has that reservoir labeled power steering on cap in front of the cabin/pollen filter either. On the V6 the manual says thats in the engine bay.
EDIT: Maybe you have the AMG?

Yup - AMG!

 

[saknibs]

Since my Emira is indoors for the winter and I live 150 miles from the dealership, I decided to make my own rubber air con resistor pack water shield. I bought a 36" x 36" rubber sheet (1/16" thick). I made a template using the photo in post #314. Here's a pdf if you want to use it. You will see that I shortened the part that goes under the cowl because it was way too much material to stuff under there. Also my center cover has two hoses attached that direct water down and away from electrical connectors. Does anyone else have them? I haven't seen them mentioned. If you cannot enlarge the pdf, DM me and I'll try to send you a full size template in another file format.