Jump to content

litp.jpg

Lotus in the Peak
27th - 29th June 2025

Heater Control Stuck


JonS

Recommended Posts

Posted

Recently my heater knob has been hard to turn, on the way home last night it was completely stuck, couldn't budge it at all. I'd read a long time ago that travelling at 60ish makes it easier to turn, but as I was on the motorway I was doing this and it still wouldn't move.

 

It eventually moved it round to hot but it then stuck there and would only move a bit before recoiling back to where it was. Also, the heater didn't seem to be producing hot air. Any ideas on how to fix it, or what the problem may be?

 

Thanks.

  • Replies 16
  • Created
  • Last Reply
Posted

As Martin says.

 

Sounds like the actuator motor, which tends to fill with water over time.

 

I would do other upgrades while you have the clam off otherwise you will end up possibly having to take it off again shortly afterwards.

 

upgrades to consider

 

Upgraded resistor pack

Actuator motor splash guard

Alloy Radiator

Posted
Who,s Heather ? :)

 

This may keep you quiet for a bit.

 

http://wiki.seloc.org/a/Heater

Typo fixed :D

 

I really hope its not a clam off job! Really not in a position to be doing that! I'll try the lubrication of the vent tomorrow and see what happens.

Thanks.

Posted

Jon,

 

Hope you are well?

 

This happens on mine occasionally. The bar connected to the heat cable that controls the heat into the matrix catches on something (can't remembar what) and won't move past 50% on the dial. Open the front inspection hatches (offside iirc) and have a look in there and you will see what it has caught on.

 

Regards,

Matt.

Posted

Mine used to do it all the time Jon,

 

Simple solution which worked for me everytime.

 

Find a motorway / dual carriage way, whilst travelling at speed give the knod a waggle. Mine used to get stuck at around the 11 o clock position, I found twisting it back and forth it would eventually move.

Posted

Hi Scott, I remember you posting that, but that hasnt worked.

 

Jimbo, yeah, I'm a 51 plate S2 so I'll ignore you :)

 

I didnt get chance to look at it last weekend cause of the weather. Will try and look this Sunday. I have now found it is still emitting heat, but it seems to be just slightly warm air, suggesting its stuck around 1'o'clock. I'll have to see what I can see.

 

Thanks.

Posted

My heater has just started only emmitting luke warm air too :)

About what you normally get on about one or two.

Interested to find out what it might be.

 

:)

Posted

Hi Dave, I have just uploaded a photo I took on sunday.

 

It seems the temperature flap lever is sticking. I am able to turn it to full either way, which now seems to be beyond max hot on the dial down to just into the cold, so the alignment may have moved whilst i've been wiggling it. I sprayed some 3in1 on it as my WD40 was in Chichester (!) and gave it a good waggle on the flap. However even when I used the dial inside the car to turn the temp which it did, it only moved back to cold and then got stuck again trying to move back it to hot.

 

gallery_1516_409_78604.jpg

 

Service Manual:

gallery_1516_409_147916.jpg

 

I think I need to take the flap lever apart give it a good clean (as it is pretty mucky) and re-assemble it. I think it might be too many miles in the rain and spray that has just clogged it up.

 

Before I left for Chichester on Sunday evening I moved the flap to as hot I could move it to see if it heated up. As it happens, it is still producing heat. The two pipes exiting the heater unit (labelled in the photo) were very hot and eventually warm air came through the system, but still not roasting hot as I'd expect it to.

 

If I remove the flap lever on top is anything likely to fall out inside the box as I REALLY dont want to have to remove the clam.

 

Have a look at this on your car Dave, let me know what yours is like.

Posted

Jon your a better man than i, mine has been like that for years

 

if you find a solution let me know

Posted

Jon it looks like someone has put a heater in from a 70's Lotus.

 

:clap:

 

When I use to have motorbikes with a manual cable clutch you had to oil the cable now and then. I imagine its the same with this cable. There will be an inner and an outer. Due to corrosion the inner will eventualy get a bit sticky. The mechanism looks like it could also be the problem as you suggest. Give it a good clean and grease it.

 

I would disconnect the cable at the heater matrix end and then operate. It should operate smoothly. On a bike you use to put a bag round the top of the cable and secure the bottom round the cable with elastic bands and then fill with oil. You then left it for sometime to let the oil work its way down the cable. Not sure what the access is like to the cable at the dashboard end?

Posted
Jon your a better man than i, mine has been like that for years

 

if you find a solution let me know

 

I have this problem on mine too so if you find a fix let us know. :)

lol

Has no-one tried to fix this before then? "they all do that sir!" :)

 

Thanks Jimbo. , I'm not going to touch it until I'm back in Kiddy as I'll need the heat on the way home on Friday night :clap:

 

Access to the lever is fairly restricted because of the ali pipe in the top of the photo. I had to get to it from the passenger side panel access. I'll see if I can take it apart and clean it out. More to follow :)

Posted
lol

Has no-one tried to fix this before then? "they all do that sir!" :lol:

 

Thanks Jimbo. , I'm not going to touch it until I'm back in Kiddy as I'll need the heat on the way home on Friday night :)

 

Access to the lever is fairly restricted because of the ali pipe in the top of the photo. I had to get to it from the passenger side panel access. I'll see if I can take it apart and clean it out. More to follow :)

 

I have done exactly what you have done so far Jon and thought TADTS :D

 

I do not really drive it much in the winter so its not that big of a problem for me

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Terms of Use