battery warning light

[p4ilip]

Im looking at getting an elise s1, Its had a vvc head fitted at some point when it's head gasket had gone. The owner has said that when you rev the engine the battery light comes on. He said it had a new alternator not so long ago. Does anyone have any suggestions on what could be wrong with the car and could it be connected with maybe fittng the vvc head on a lotus that had the standard k series engine in previously? Thanks, Phil.

[Corranga]

I'm not expert at all, but it sounds to me as if the alternator is stuffed.

Don't see how the head could make a difference.

Possibly over charging so the regulator is the issue?

*awaits correction or confirmation*

Chris

[Stu160]

Hi Phil

Sounds like the alternator, or the wiring connected to it.

As for the head, its not just something you would just "change".
Its is quite a big job, blanking plates, fixed cams, etc.
Not sure if the standard ecu would take it, unless they were very mild cams, can you get a picture of it, they do look different.

Best of luck with the alternator.......they are a pain in the neck, trust me.

Stuart

[p4ilip]

I had a vvc 111s before and this one looks like it has a slightly different inlet manifold and an extra water pipe at the back so am guessing it came out another car. am i right in think this is a vvc? The owner just said it had the 150bhp head on it.

[tut]

That is a VVC inlet manifold, the pipe at the back is an over the top water pipe which was fitted on the earliest Elises.

What year is your car?

tut

[p4ilip]

It's a 97 car.

[roadboy]

That's not s VVC head but does have the VVC inlet plenum. And that's the earlier style coolant pipe as Tut says.

Sounds like an alternator fault or a dodgy wiring connection in the alternator loom.

HTH

Dan

[Victor Meldrew]

I had the same thing.. turned out to be a loose crank pulley.. which inadvertently caused the alternator to loose drive. I think I drove about 30miles before it cut out due to loss of battery volts.

But I am the most unlucky S1 owner on the planet so it wont be that.. but look at the timing belt cover for any sign of wear through just in case..