Intermittent failure to start

[IRN_M8DEN]

This is 100% an electrical issue and not fuel related. I was recently at a gas pump and my fuel door wouldn't pop open. After manually trying for over 5 minutes, I got in the car and moved it to a spot in front of the store instead of sitting at the pump. When I got out to try it again, the fuel door worked like there was never a problem. I was sure the electrical issues were over when I sold my 2005 Elise for this nearly 20 year newer car...but nah.

 

[Kimmax]

This is 100% an electrical issue and not fuel related

How do you conclude your fuel door not opening = electrical issue regarding rough starts?
I'd guess you might have accidentally locked the car getting out. The fob buttons press rather easily even in pants pockets. That would lock the door.

 

[IRN_M8DEN]

How do you conclude your fuel door not opening = electrical issue regarding rough starts?
I'd guess you might have accidentally locked the car getting out. The fob buttons press rather easily even in pants pockets. That would lock the door.

Because I turned the car off at the pump, got out of the car, tried to open the fuel door for 5 mins, and got back in the "unlocked" car without touching my fob. There's no proximity auto-unlock w/ fob on our cars so even if I accidentally locked it, I would have to manually unlock it. The car was unlocked and the fuel door was stuck in a locked position, this is an electrical problem.

 

[dobber82]

Someone here said to unlock car, wait for your phone to connect via CarPlay and then try. Since doing this, I haven’t once had the car fail to start - probably about 20 good starts now rather than it failing at least every 3rd or 5th time

 

[Kimmax]

wait for your phone to connect via CarPlay

So either

1. never
2. just need to connect / disconnect Bluetooth 14 times
3. repair the phone

easy enough

 

[EddieD]

Just bought a new Lotus Emira I4 AMG version and at 2 weeks old with only 500 miles on the clock the issue has also just happened to me. After constant start attempts the battery ended up being too low to start the car so a jump start got me going in the end. Spoke to Lotus Glasgow and they confirmed there is still an issue and a software fix is underway by Bosch, no ETA yet.

 

[Nick in Sydney]

This is 100% an electrical issue and not fuel related.

Love your confidence. My Emira has been stalling on cold start every time for the past two weeks. A few days ago (at the advice of a fellow owner) I pumped in a lower octane fuel than normal. The problem has gone. I don't think it's just a coincidence.

 

[seriously]

The car makes a noise (im guessing fuel pump primer) when you unlock it. When you open the door the noise stops. I make it a point to unlock my car as soon as I can so that the priming runs a few seconds before I open the door. I’ve never had this start issue so im not sure it’s related. However I am learning that with the emira it’s best to take your time- whether it’s starting the car or jamming through gears.

 

[Kimmax]

When you open the door the noise stops.

That's just the fan moving air around in the cabin

 

[m30rpg]

I’ve had no issues with starting until it went in for a service and software updates 2 weeks ago.

It’s not starting first time, open door, lock car, unlock, open and close door and it starts! It’s just thrown an engine warning light at me for the first time this morning as well.

Got my car back after first service and 3 software updates. Permanent engine light on and starting issue

Didn’t happened on car collection or after filled petrol up its usual shell V power.

But today 4-5 times had car out just won’t turn over until did the get out open close boot and lock unlock car and then fires up.

sooooo annoying

 

[dobber82]

Have you tried ... when you unlock, get in the car, wait for your phone to connect to CarPlay (10 seconds or so) ... then start.

After performing this process, I havent had a non start issue whereas I was having so many

 

[m30rpg]

Have you tried ... when you unlock, get in the car, wait for your phone to connect to CarPlay (10 seconds or so) ... then start.

After performing this process, I havent had a non start issue whereas I was having so many

This I haven’t tried yet, but will do tomorrow when I take the car into work.

Also got engine management light on constantly yet no warning messages on the dashboard (no idea if 2 and linked or not)

 

[dobber82]

Yes, I also had engine management lights that were related to the ABS. These I cleared and they came back whenever the car failed to start - so felt directly linked.

I think it is less of the fact that the car has connected to my phone and more giving it a lot more time than I normally would to start a car.

The phone connection just seems to give enough other gizmos/ecus/sensors time to fire up and connect.

 

[MoBoost]

Have you tried ... when you unlock, get in the car, wait for your phone to connect to CarPlay (10 seconds or so) ... then start.

After performing this process, I havent had a non start issue whereas I was having so many

Same for me.

 

[Robbierob]

Just an idea: Could it be possible that this is related to the key? Sometimes may the car needs some seconds to recognize the key in the car. Or that something ‚blocks‘ the connection to the key?

 

[dobber82]

Just an idea: Could it be possible that this is related to the key? Sometimes may the car needs some seconds to recognize the key in the car. Or that something ‚blocks‘ the connection to the key?

Quite possibly, I think the "key" is to just give it a lot longer (10-20 seconds) before trying to start which in my case is about the time for the phone to connect

 

[m30rpg]

Quite possibly, I think the "key" is to just give it a lot longer (10-20 seconds) before trying to start which in my case is about the time for the phone to connect

So this method worked, waited until phone connected etc approx 20 secs or so and fired up first time so will keep using this method going forward.

EML is still on that might have something to do with miltek exhaust controller mod (might not) but no other warning sounds

What I will say is having the exhaust in open all times sounds sweet as!

 

[Honcho]

Wondering if you've all had the latest software updates? I had some starting issues etc. and all good since the update.

 

[m30rpg]

Wondering if you've all had the latest software updates? I had some starting issues etc. and all good since the update.

Literally got my car back last Friday with 3 software updates after its year one service.

So fairly sure it’s as up to date as it can be

Ironically it wasn’t an issue before, go figure!

 

[dobber82]

So this method worked, waited until phone connected etc approx 20 secs or so and fired up first time so will keep using this method going forward.

EML is still on that might have something to do with miltek exhaust controller mod (might not) but no other warning sounds

What I will say is having the exhaust in open all times sounds sweet as!

Nice, glad you've got it starting, I also have all software updated! This has worked everytime for me for about 6 weeks now! Got any video of the exhaust sound?