Lotus Eleven/Elise/Exige. Manual - part 47

 

 

Lotus Service Notes   

 

 

  Section EMP

Page 43

EMP.2 - DIAGNOSTIC SCANNER TOOLS

In order to provide for communication with the engine management system electronic control module, a 

hand held electronic scanner ‘Lotus Scan’ (part number T000T1418F), may be plugged into a special 16 terminal

harness connector socket, known as a Data Link Connector (DLC), located at the front of the passenger footwell.  

Note that this tool may also be used on previous Elise models (excluding Exige, 340R and 160 models).

Amongst the operations available using the ‘Lotus Scan’ tool are:

- 

Reading of Trouble Codes

- 

Clearing of Trouble Codes

- 

Reading live data

- 

Test operation of individual solenoids

- 

Running engine history report

- 

Reprogramming ECU

 

Operating instructions are provided with the tool.

Important Note 

The power supply transformer is used for overnight charging of the printer, and also for powering  the 

Scan tool during software downloading from a PC (personal computer).  For the software download operation, 

the Scan tool requires a power supply from the mains via the transformer and an inverter.  Two types of inverter 

have been used; early kits used an adaptor lead to plug into the bottom end of the Scanner tool.  Later kits use 

an adaptor plug fitting into the top end of the scanner.

When charging the printer, it is most important that the inverter is NOT used, or damage to the trans-

former may be caused.  Incorrect connection is possible only with the early type adaptor lead, with which extra 

care should be exercised.

1.  Reading data from vehicle

    Data Link Connector (DLC)                Scan tool

    (front of passenger footwell)     

                                                  Printer

                                  

                                                                 

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Lotus Service Notes   

 

 

  Section EMP

2.  Downloading software from P.C.

   

  With early type adaptor lead

    Connect to COM                                              Power 

    port on PC                                                  supply

                                                            transformer

    Adaptor lead used 

    to connect to 

    transformer                                                         

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With later type adaptor

    Connect to COM                     

    port on PC                       

   

                         

                                                            Power

                                                            supply

                                                            transformer

                                      Power supply adaptor                 

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                                          T000T1436F

3.  Charging printer

                          Power supply

                          transformer

    Do NOT use adaptor

    lead for this application

                                                    Printer

                                                                     

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Lotus Service Notes   

 

 

  Section EMP

Lotus TechCentre - 2008 model year

All USA market cars from ’08 model year onwards, are required by legislation to use a CAN compliant

on-board diagnostic system.  This has been commonised for all Elise/Exige models.  The Lotus Scan 3 tool is 

replaced by a ‘stand alone’ lap top PC loaded with ‘Lotus TechCentre’ software to allow the CAN based serial

data to be read.

Controller Area Network (CAN) is an electronic standard to allow high speed communication between 

modules and controllers, via a serial data bus.  The bus is a circuit linking the modules to the controller, consist-

ing of a pair of cables, twisted together to reduce electromagnetic interference, and carrying a square wave 

voltage signal corresponding to ‘0’s and ‘1’s, coded in such a way as to identify and prioritise the individual

messages. On the Elise/Exige, CAN based systems for 2008 onwards include; engine management, anti-lock 

braking and related features, tyre pressure monitoring and onboard diagnostics.

A Vehicle Communication Device (T000T1472F) introduced for the Europa model is used to connect the 

vehicle to the laptop Lotus TechCentre.  All system interrogation and diagnosis are carried out via the Lotus 

TechCentre.

The minimum specification of the laptop computer for installation of the Lotus TechCentre is as fol-

lows:

-  Processer 1.70 Ghz; 

-  1 GB RAM; 

-  40 GB HDD; 

-  CDRW DVD ROM; 

-  WIN XP PRO or VISTA; 

-  USB interface; 

-  Ethernet or Wireless LAN 

Note that this laptop should be dedicated soley to the Lotus TechCentre, with no other software installed. 

This diagnostic software is designed primarily for use by trained Lotus technicians, and is available as a CD 

under part number T000T1510F (version 4) or later supercessions.  A monthly (Lotus Dealers) or annual (non-

Lotus dealers) licence and support fee will also be levied, providing access to Lotus TechCentre Technical 

Support phoneline on 0870 9493 668, and e-mail on lotus.support.uk@omitec.com

Also required is a unique 18 character licence/registration key without which Techcentre will not function. 

This key is non transferable to other PC’s.

Scope of Lotus TechCentre

Note that TechCentre has no connectivity to Rover powertrain Elise/Exige variants, and that only limited 

diagnostics are available for the V8 Esprit.  No communication is available with the Europa powertrain.  Diag-

nostics for these vehicles are accessible using the Lotus Scan 3 tool T000T1467F (U.K./EU).

Model

         Type of Electronic Control Unit 

   Engine ECU

           Communication compatible

Reprogrammable

EMS

ABS

SRS

TPMS

IP

    08 MY on

Elise          2004 on

Y

Y

Y

Y

N

Y

Exige         2004 on

Y

Y

Y

Y

N

Y

Europa      2006 on

N

Y

Y

N/A

N

N

2-11

2007 on

Y

Y

N/A

N/A

N

Y

Evora        2009 on

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Esprit        V8

Y

Y

N

N

N

N

Page 46

 

 

Lotus Service Notes   

 

 

  Section EMP