North London Classic lotus garage

[TonyA]

I have just bought a plus 2, can anyone recommend a specialist in the NW London or NW M25 area who is good with the model' s typical electrical gremlins? My hazard switch was causing the tail and number plate lights to flash, while correctly flashing the front indicators ! Direction indicator switch operates correctly front and rear, left and right,

Thanks.. Tony

[Andy8421]

Tony,

I can't help with the electrical expert in NW London, but if you fancy messing around a bit yourself, it could be an easy fix.

Absent someone actually wiring up the hazard switch incorrectly (which is always possible), these 'wrong bulbs come on at odd times' problems are generally due to earthing problems with currents finding their way to earth through other bulbs in the same fitting. Check the earth connections on the rear light clusters are making a good contact to the housings, then make sure that the earth connections do actually connect to earth.

I recall there is a multi way bullet connector for earths along the back of the boot which can play up, but I can't recall where the earth connections go from there. A simple bit of wire temporarily run from one of the light housings to a nearby earth will quickly prove if this is the problem or not.

[stugilmour]

Welcome to the forum. Hope you get sorted.

IIRC the Plus 2 number plate bulbs in stock form are grounded to the bumper, which subsequently grounds to either the loom or the main ground? All a bit vague as we had a heck of a time to just get them working when I purchased the car.

When I rewired I ran the plate bulb grounds back to the same ground wire as the rear lamp housings.

Note that if you have to remove the plinth and socket for the license plate housings the bumper has to be removed, which is a bit of a job. The screws, and the ground electrical rings, are tightened from under the steel bumper.

Perhaps consider running some extra wires directly from the ground battery post to the bumper, light housings, etc. to see if you can narrow down the fault location, even if you are planning to get the repair done professionally. Actually having a 20 foot wire(s) with alligator clips is very handy kit to have to hand with a Plus 2.

HTH. Let us know how you make out. Or hopefully that will help when you find a shop.

[512BB]

Good morning Tony,

In the Club Lotus magazine, there is a company that advertises called Ranscombe Cars Ltd. who say they are an ex Lotus Service dealer, who, by the looks of things, were a serviice dealer in the 70's and 80's. Crikey, their staff must be ancient

Anyway, they say they specialise in the maintenance of Type 36, 45 and 50 cars, which, in case you are not aware, you have a Type 50. They are based in Knebworth, just a short trip up the A1. 01438 811309

I have often thought I would pop in to see them, just to make sure they are doing things properly Well, I had a girlfriend in Knebworth back in the day actually. Thought I might pop in there to

Leslie

No affiliation now, just a happy ex boyfriend

[TonyA]

Thanks guys..I added a ground wire from the rear light cluster to the main rear earth point. Now have rear and front hazards, and no more flashing from number plate and tail lights. MANY THANKS.

Next up is to look at the handbrake, which soezed up while driving and locked the wheels, leaving me stopped on the side of the road : not a good time to discover that the rear hazards didn't work ! All being well, I can do some slackening with that the funny knurled nut on each side, then I can continue to give the car its gentle exercise (approx 100 running in miles to go) by visiting Ranscombe in Knebworth and will let you know my impressions.

Other leads on classic Lotus specialists in the NW M25 quadrant most welcome...

Cheers..Tony

[Mazzini]

Next up is to look at the handbrake, which soezed up while driving and locked the wheels

Are you sure it's a Lotus????

[Rob1n]

Thanks guys..I added a ground wire from the rear light cluster to the main rear earth point. Now have rear and front hazards, and no more flashing from number plate and tail lights. MANY THANKS.

Next up is to look at the handbrake, which soezed up while driving and locked the wheels, leaving me stopped on the side of the road : not a good time to discover that the rear hazards didn't work ! All being well, I can do some slackening with that the funny knurled nut on each side, then I can continue to give the car its gentle exercise (approx 100 running in miles to go) by visiting Ranscombe in Knebworth and will let you know my impressions.

Other leads on classic Lotus specialists in the NW M25 quadrant most welcome...

Cheers..Tony

Hi Tony are you sure it’s not the pistons in the callipers sticking as that happened to me. The hand brake isn’t really strong enough to effect the car to stop it.

[TonyA]

Will check the handbrake first..otherwise yes. it'll be a calioer strip down, clean & rebuild. Car's been in storage for many years, engine rebuilt, still running in . Prepared for and got thru MOT without problems but maybe some of the components are now protesting about working again after becoming used to inactivity...Sme as me really..!