Engine doesn't turn over Elise 111s S2

[foxy76]

Been out for a drive tonight, all fine. Stopped to fill up, went to set off, nothing happened. Red light stopped flashing as it should when I pressed the key fob. Turned the key, hear the fuel pump prime, all dash lights are fine, but nothing from the starter. Checked the inertia switch (just in case, but I know the fuel pump wouldn't have primed if that was the issue).

Sat waiting for breakdown, but does anyone have any ideas?

[MG4Lotus]

Hope you got it sorted. If you're on a slope, will it bump start and run ok? If so then it might be a starter motor problem. If it's the starter motor then you could try giving it a clout with a hammer, which might temporarily free it up.

[DeanB]

Have you tried putting it in fourth and rocking the car back and forth (engine off of course) in case the starter needs freeing?

[foxy76]

I'll give that a try, but the breakdown guy seemed to think that the starter wasn't even being tried. It was very late so you could hear everything, or not in this case 😞

I've seen a bit about problems with the starter motor relay, so I'll have a look at that as well.

Not the end to the night I was hoping for

[Mutley00]

Had exactly the same on my S2 last week matey. Something in the air in our great city 😀?

When I connected up to my jump starter the engine fired up immediately, so despite all the dash lights being on and bright, there was not enough juice in the battery to even get that rapid clicking sound out of the starter motor that usually indicates a dead battery. The battery was even showing normal voltage when on my trickle charger.

Just bought a Yuasa 5000 battery, and normal service has been resumed.

Sorry - I've forgotten where you live, but I can nip over with my jump starter or you can come over to Ecclesall to borrow it.

Edited August 12, 2025 by Mutley00

[foxy76]

Oh that's interesting, I assumed the battery is fine as it's always on the battery conditioner. I'm over in Chapeltown, but I think someone at work has one, so I'll check with them. If not then I might well sell your help 😉

[DeanB]

Be careful with jump starters - they can fry the ECUs. Seriously.

Just try a good battery first.

[Mutley00]

Thanks Dean - bad terminology on my part. Its just a large PowerPack that you can re-charge with jump leads - essentially a big battery.

Yes Foxy I assumed my battery was fine as it was absorbing the usual ~14v charge, but thats no indicator of the 'whoomph' it still possesses in Amps to actually turn the engine over.

 

 

[foxy76]

It's the multi function relay by the look of it. Still wouldn't start, but I did hear the relay click when I turned the key with the boot open. Pulled the relay module away from it's mounting, wiggled the wires and banged it a bit (technical stuff I know) and tried again and it fired straight away. Will pull the module out and give it a proper test at work.

[Mutley00]

Glad you've got it sorted matey. If you banged it with a lump hammer, I cant praise you highly enough 😀!