Elise 111s fault code P1336

[ray 0706]

Recently the battery in my elise went flat and after i jump started it using a spare battery I then noticed that the MIL was on. I bought a OBD reader and obtained the code which was not a generic code but a manaufacturer code P1336 which I have found out to be "crankcase position system variation not learned".
This was the only code on the car and I tried to erase it with the OBD reader but although the reader showed erase successful the code remained and the MIL remained on.
The car was serviced only a couple of hundred miles ago with new belts included and runs very well since.
Can anyone suggest how i can get the MIL off or will it clear once the car has run through its natural diagnostic cycle the required number of times?

[robin]

Hi Ray,

The ECU uses the battery voltage to preserve some settings in a backup memory. If the battery goes completely dead then this can be erased/scrambled.

What is supposed to happen is that when you fit a blank or new ECU to an Elise (S2 K-series) you must go through the misfire learning cycle. The ECU is instructed to do this using the Lotus Scan tool and not a generic OBDII device I believe. The misfire learn procedure is that the ECU runs the engine at various engine speeds in neutral using the idle air control valve to control engine speed. It holds the engine speed steady at 1,000, 2,000 etc. RPM and looks at the jitter on the crank position sensor signal.

It may be that if you warm up the engine and then hold the engine speed at 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, 5,000 RPM for 5 seconds at each point the ECU will complete the misfire learn procedure anyway.

There is no indication in the manual of any way of clearing this "fault".

My guess is that if you take the car for some spirited driving, the MIL will go out after a certain number of ignition on/off cycles.

Cheers,
Robin

[ray 0706]

Thanks Robin

I will do as you say and also give it some time otherwise it looks like a trip to Murray Motors or can you recommend a scantool garage closer to the west coast?

I am reluctantly thinking of selling the car as it is not being used as it should so therefore having the MIL on is not a good adverisement.

[robin]

It's a Lotus specific procedure I believe, so only the Lotus tool will trigger it. That said I'll bet it'll go out all by itself so hopefully you won't care.

Sorry to see the car being sold, but I understand the non-use ...

Cheers,
Robin

[ray 0706]

Thanks Robin

At least it will give me an excuse to get some miles in the car to try and get the MIL to go out.

[ray 0706]

great news

took the car for a run and stopped and carried out the stepped engine speed proceedure as sugested by Robin.

after going through the steps and the final 5 seconds at 5000rpm the engine speed dropped and wouldn't repond to throttle.

turned off igniition and turned back on and everything ok and MIL OFF.

thanks very much to Robin it never ceases to amaze me the technical knowledge in the forum. unfortunately got the bug back and am thinking of keeping the wee car now.

[robin]

I'm glad that it worked - here's hoping you now keep the car and use it at least 2 or 3 times a year for what it was intended.