intermittent ABS

The Oily Bits S2 Specific Topics
1

At a trackday earlier in the summer, my ABS decided to take the afternoon off. Coinciding with a bit of brain-fade on my part (forgetting I was on an out-lap with cold tyres), it did give me some entertainment. On the way home, ABS engaged again.

It was like that - randomly on/off for a few weeks then pulling the sensors and cleaning them seemed to help. Did a couple of trackdays since and some road driving with no issues.

This morning, the light came on again, and after a 20 mile journey, and 20 mins engine off, it went away.

Any clues? I don’t have access to a Lotus fault reader.

2

ill send you a new fault reader for £15 delivered if you want, i bought a second one thinking the first was lost. it’s just a generic obd2 reader

3

Thanks for the offer but from what I can gather, I don’t think a generic OBD2 will help. Not that I’m a mechanic or have a clue necessarily but some armchair googling suggests that the ABS module A120J6000F originates from the warmed up versions of the Vectra B.

And the service manual http://www.beddysblog.com/lotusmanuals/Elise%20Exige%20S2%20files/Braking.pdf, contains the following:

“JJ.15 - DATA LINK CONNECTOR (DLC)
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is a 16 terminal elec- trical connector plug, complying with SAE J 1962, which provides a means of communication with the ABS and en- gine management electronic control units. The connector is used in service to connect electronic diagnostic equip- ment such as the ‘Lotus Scan’ hand held scanner tool which allows system interrogation including the reading of trou- ble codes.”

So ideally I’d get my hands on one of these ‘Lotus Scan’ tools. Which is unlikely, hence why I am curious if anyone else has seen this.

This evening I remembered that the onset of this was the day after a somewhat ham-fisted effort at freeing a rear caliper to check the brake pads. I wonder if I might have damaged the hub in any way.

4

More info further down that service manual.

And the '80s museum piece that is Lotus Scan, is a snip at £3336.97.

5

Just find a local indy. Most have a Lotus Scan tool
Job done…

6

Wish it was that simple - I’m in Ireland, the last dealer dropped out of the Lotus network 5+ years ago, I heard there was a scan tool doing the rounds after that but that it was damaged/broken.

I’ll be in Scotland in a couple of weeks - if I don’t get sorted in a few days I may be looking for recommendations of someone who could take a look on a Saturday.

7

Disconnect one sensor and pull the bulb, no more ABS issues as it is just off! Then you know where you are till you get it scanned I ran mine like that for ages till I had time to look properly, I found an ABS sensor cable had been worn through by the front wheel.