2005 LOTUS ELISE ECU

ohs93
REMOVING ACCESS PANEL
Front Service Access PanelsThe front body has two removable access panels to allow
servicing of the brake/clutch fluid reservoir and main fusebox.
To remove an access panel:
Use the hexagonal key supplied
in the car tool kit (in the battery cover rear pocket), to release
the single threaded fastener securing the outboard corner of
the panel, and withdraw the panel from the two locating holes in the front body spine. Guard against the lightweight panel being blown away and
damaged by a strong wind.
To refit a panel: Hook the extended lip on the front edge of the panel beneath the rear edge of the louvre panel before engaging
the two locating pegs on the inboard side of the access panel
with the holes in the front body spine. Fit the single screw at
the outboard corner of the panel into the captive nut in the body,
taking care not to cross-thread or overtighten the screw. Re-stow
the hexagonal key in the tool kit.
WARNING: Ensure the access panels are refitted and properly se
-
cured before driving.
External Operations
78

oh_croft_InD.indd 7820/05/2004 07:59:00ProCarManuals.com

Engine Cover/Trunk LidThe engine cover/trunk lid provides access to the engine and
rear luggage compartment.
To open the lid: Insert the key into the lock and turn clockwise. When released, a spring plunger will lift the lid sufficiently to allow it to be raised fully by hand. Support the lid by engaging
the prop provided on the trunk bulkhead, in the slotted plate adjacent to the latch mechanism.
WARNING:
• When using the rear luggage compartment, beware of any hot surfaces exposed in the engine bay. Touching hot

surfaces could cause serious burns.
• Before closing the lid, ensure that no persons or objects
will be trapped.
• If necessary, protect and/or secure heavy objects as required.
To close: Stow the support prop in its bulkhead clip, and, keeping
fingers well clear of entrapment, and ensuring that no obstruction is present, lower the lid. Fully engage the latch mechanism by pressing down on the lid just forward of the key lock, NOT at
the extreme rear end of the panel.
ohs92a
REAR LID RELEASE
External Operations
79

oh_croft_InD.indd 7920/05/2004 07:59:00ProCarManuals.com

4. Roll out the left hand side of the roof, and engage the spigot
pin on the front and rear end of the rail, into the uppermost slot
in the latch blocks at the front and rear of the roof aperture.
5. Ensure that the tensioning cables at the front and rear edges of the roof canopy are correctly located in the channels be
-
tween the seal and body before rotating the left hand side rail downwards. Ensure that both spring loaded pins ‘click’ into
their ramped slots indicating that latching is complete. Pull up on the side rail to check security.
6. On the right hand side of the car, repeat steps (4) and (5) for
the second side rail.
NOTICE: Engaging the left hand roof side rail first, will minimise
the possibility of the canopy tensioning cable adjusters causing damage to the roof seals.
WARNING: Before driving check that the roof is secure by pulling
upwards on each end of both side rails. An inproperly fitted
or insecure roof could cause serious injury or death to car
occupants or other road users.
External Operations
83
ohs111
FITTING SIDERAIL
Spigot pin
Spring
loaded pin

oh_croft_InD.indd 8320/05/2004 07:59:01ProCarManuals.com

8. Using the special tool provided, install the windscreen header
cover panel by locating first with the central screw, and then by the outer screws before tightening in the same order.
WARNING:
• Do not drive the car with the trim cover panels removed. Injury could result from contact with the roof brackets in
a car collision.
• Before driving check that the roof is secure by pulling upwards on each corner in turn. If any upward movement
is evident, check the correct fitment of all mounting brack
-
ets. An insecure or incorrectly fitted roof could cause
death or serious injury to other road users or a crash in
which you or others could be killed or seriously injured.
WINDSCREEN HEADER TRIM
External Operations
89

oh_croft_InD.indd 8920/05/2004 07:59:02ProCarManuals.com

b331
WINDSCREEN HEADER TRIM
Hard Top - Removal
WARNING:Do not attempt to remove the hard top roof whilst the
car is moving. Serious injury or death could result from an
unsecured roof panel.
1. Open both doors.
2. Using the special tool supplied, release the three Torx screws securing the windscreen header trim panel, and remove the
panel.
External Operations
90

oh_croft_InD.indd 9020/05/2004 07:59:03ProCarManuals.com

ohs149
REAR HOOK BRACKET
4. Pull off the trim cover from each rear corner of the roof panel and remove the screw securing the hook bracket to the latch plate at each rear corner.
5. Remove the two front corner bracket fixing screws and lift the
front edge of the roof slightly to release the front brackets
from
their latch plate slots.
6. With the aid of an assistant, lift the roof from the car taking care to restrain the tethered brackets to avoid damaging the
paintwork.
7. If storing the roof vertically, take care to avoid damaging the panel corners by using a protective floor covering.
External Operations
92

oh_croft_InD.indd 9220/05/2004 07:59:03ProCarManuals.com

pressing firmly to ensure that the handle is fully seated. With-
draw the dipstick again to inspect the oil level, which should lie between the two dimples on the end of the stick. The oil level
should be maintained at the upper of these two marks in order
to provide optimum engine protection.
Topping Up
: If topping up is necessary, unscrew the oil filler cap
from the left hand end of the cam cover. Add a suitable quantity of the recommended engine oil (see ‘Recommended Lubricants’)
taking care not to spill any oil onto engine or electrical compo
-
nents; use a funnel if necessary. The difference between high and low dipstick marks is equiv
-
alent to 1.6 U.S. quarts (1.5 litre). Allow several minutes for the oil to drain through to the sump before re-checking the oil level.
Do NOT over fill, or lubrication will be degraded and consump
-
tion increased as the oil becomes aerated. Refit the filler cap,
turning clockwise until secure.
Engine Oil Change The use of high quality oil, renewed at the specified intervals,
is the key to engine longevity and sustained performance. Ad
-
here strictly to the engine oil and filter change intervals specified
in the Maintenance Schedule.
For access to the engine sump and filter, the engine bay
undertray must first be removed. This is most easily achieved
with the car raised on a garage hydraulic lift, or alternatively, parked over an inspection pit.
The drain plug is located at the rear of the sump, and should
be removed to drain the sump immediately after a run when
the oil is warm and the impurities are still held in suspension.
On cars fitted with front mounted oil coolers, it is not necessary routinely to attempt to drain the cooler circuit. Servicing & Maintenance
100

oh_croft_InD.indd 10020/05/2004 07:59:05ProCarManuals.com

WARNING:
• Engine oil is hazardous to your health and may be fatal
if swallowed.
• Take all suitable precautions to guard against scalding
from the hot oil.
• Prolonged and repeated contact with used engine oil may cause serious skin disorders, including dermatitis

and cancer.
• Use protective gloves to avoid contact with skin as far
as possible and wash thoroughly after any contact.
• Keep out of reach of children.
Allow the oil to drain completely before cleaning the drain
plug, fitting a new sealing washer, and tightening securely. Refit
the undertray. Refill with the recommended lubricant (see page 153) via the
oil filler on the camshaft cover, to the top mark on the dipstick,
allowing several minutes for the oil to drain through to the sump before checking the level. Take care not to over fill. Refit the oil
filler cap securely, and check the oil level again when the engine is fully warm (see above).
Servicing & Maintenance
101

oh_croft_InD.indd 10120/05/2004 07:59:05ProCarManuals.com