Cold start stalling

[nimbus]

Have you tried disconnecting your car battery for an hour or two? Apparently the software won’t update unless this is done, and there’s no guarantee all dealers are doing this.

Could be a very easy fix if you haven’t tried that

I'll give it a shot tonight, can't hurt

 

[Sentinel]

Mine was doing this on pretty much every cold start. Second attempt it was always fine. Battery voltage was down to 12.2V. Connected it to a charger overnight and it hasn't done it again since.

 

[Vpower10]

My car has been back since last Saturday, I had to wait a very long time (3 months!?) for parts that had to be replaced regarding the gearbox. Anyway... the cold start problem is still there. They did explain to me that between now and January 20th there will be another update that should address the cold start problem once and for all. But I don't know how sure we should be about this anymore, because we've heard this a few times, right? As soon as the software is available I have to return with the car so that they can perform this update. I'll let you know what the result is.

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The cold start problem has completely disappeared for me now, I now have 14,000 km on the odometer. I had an update in the meantime, but I can't say if it had anything to do with that. To me it seems like something that resolved itself rather than an update. My last update was last week. In any case, I am glad that this cold start problem is no longer there, I hope it does not return.

 

[nimbus]

I'll give it a shot tonight, can't hurt

didn't work for me, even after I unplugged the battery for a while. Still either starts rough or stalls the first time I start it.

What a strange issue to be facing...

 

[danmessy]

didn't work for me, even after I unplugged the battery for a while. Still either starts rough or stalls the first time I start it.

What a strange issue to be facing...

When was your last dealer visit and software update?
Coupe of people above saying updates helped recently. Not for me though (unless there is another that's come out?)

 

[nimbus]

When was your last dealer visit and software update?
Coupe of people above saying updates helped recently. Not for me though (unless there is another that's come out?)

Last dealer visit / update was in Feb 2024...

I don't think it's software related at this point because it would have gone away for everyone once they got the relevant update. Someone on this forum mentioned that there was a recall on certain Toyota fuel pumps, maybe some of us have ones which don't always prime when starting?

 

[Shahaf2911]

For the first year of ownership or so I didnt have this problem but it did it every time for the past 2/4 months, just picked up my car after it got all the system updates + service, for now it seems it has been resolved. I’ll update if it isn’t.

 

[scc.131.fe]

January 2024 build with ~320 miles. Used up the 'factory gas' over a week ago and filled up with 93 octane. At least 10 starts since with no issues, even with days off of the charger.

Pulled the car out of the garage today and parked it for ~4 hours. On restart (still cold), had the stall issue.

Engine fired up right away, no hesitation or any sign of weak battery. But right after first roar it went straight to chugging for that 5-10 seconds. Recovered itself to idle. No warning lights or DTC, just a message on the dash that read "Reduced Engine Acceleration" that cleared once it got to idle and I pressed the center of the right steering wheel directional pad.

I already know I don't have the hill hold fix software, so I'll ask Lotus NJ to be ready to load updates for this issue and the brakes.

But, HUGE shout out to everyone who shares on this thread because I can't imagine the spike in blood pressure if I didn't know to look for this. Really happy to be a part of this community!

 

[Johnson]

Cold start this morning after having the car sit for a couple of months in the garage. Initially it was fine, followed by the lumpiest idle I've ever heard (like some of the cylinders weren't firing, possible valve clatter). Then it recovered and warm-idled easily.

Should I be concerned?

 

[nimbusblack]

Cold start this morning after having the car sit for a couple of months in the garage. Initially it was fine, followed by the lumpiest idle I've ever heard (like some of the cylinders weren't firing, possible valve clatter). Then it recovered and warm-idled easily.

Should I be concerned?

i had this recently, it stalled once on cold start but others were very lumpy but generally recovered, i was doing lots of small trips and also running on 95 RON unleaded, ive been doing longer trips and also now only use 97/98/99 RON fuel and the issue hasn't reocurred. Battery charge and/or fuel quality?

 

[Sentinel]

Cold start this morning after having the car sit for a couple of months in the garage. Initially it was fine, followed by the lumpiest idle I've ever heard (like some of the cylinders weren't firing, possible valve clatter). Then it recovered and warm-idled easily.

Should I be concerned?

Check your battery voltage.

Mine does this if it drops below 12.2V

 

[scc.131.fe]

January 2024 build with ~320 miles....

Just an update, at 890 miles now and this only happened the one time. Haven't had any software updates. Regular use of the battery tender.

 

[Toomanyloti]

I have mentioned this previously but I suspect fuel is draining back and what you describe may be a vapour lock.

Have you tried a code reader to see if either bank fuel rail has flagged low pressure?

Dont shoot me down just a amateur with an idea

 

[EmiraHK]

So I hope I can finally put this issue to bed (sort of): the cold start issue seems to have to do with the fuel you put in your car. Due to having to pass EURO 6.5 emissions standards, it seems Lotus has tuned the ECU with very low tolerance to additives in the fuel. Fuels high in ethanol additives (like Shell V-Power) don't seem to do so well with the stock mapping and can cause the cold-start stalling. I've switched to Caltex (Techron additive) and have not had the issue since. It's not an ultimate solution, but it seems to be one that's worked.

 

[danmessy]

So I hope I can finally put this issue to bed (sort of): the cold start issue seems to have to do with the fuel you put in your car. Due to having to pass EURO 6.5 emissions standards, it seems Lotus has tuned the ECU with very low tolerance to additives in the fuel. Fuels high in ethanol additives (like Shell V-Power) don't seem to do so well with the stock mapping and can cause the cold-start stalling. I've switched to Caltex (Techron additive) and have not had the issue since. It's not an ultimate solution, but it seems to be one that's worked.

I agree.

For those in Australia, best results I've come across are Ampol/Caltex

Seems to have completely resolved... So far for my last 2-3 tanks

 

[Kimmax]

Damn you might be onto something. I'll try it on my next tank and get V-Power to confirm.

 

[Toomanyloti]

i use v-power in the uk every other tank with no bother at all???

 

[Sentinel]

Mine consistently does it any time the battery voltage falls below 12.2V regardless of the brand of fuel I’m using.

 

[tnbuilder]

I had it with one tank of gas. I usually put a non-ethanol gas in it. I got a tank from one particular station and had the car die once after starting and a really rough idle after that. Put in gas from another place and not had an issue since.

 

[digilotus]

I agree.

For those in Australia, best results I've come across are Ampol/Caltex

Seems to have completely resolved... So far for my last 2-3 tanks

Great news! I understand that those with cold start stalling issues down under are particularly affected by Shell VPower (which differs from the VPower mix used in other countries).