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.