Lotus Eleven/Elise/Exige. Manual - part 70

   Lotus Service Notes

                Section JJ

Page 33

JJ.16 - SPECIAL TOOLS

Retraction Tool, Rear Calliper Piston T000T1242

Used to retract the rear calliper pistons and

enable fitment of new brake pads.

Lotus Scan Tool T000T1418F

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 passen-
ger footwell.  Note that this tool may also be used on previous Elise models (excluding Exige '00 M.Y, 340R and
160 models).

Amongst the operations available using the 'Lotus Scan' tool are:

-

Clear fault codes

-

View fault codes/wheel speeds/valve activities

-

Generate valve/motor activities

-

Read EEPROM contents

-

Read ECU identification

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

Lotus 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

transformer 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 3

(front of passenger footwell)

Printer

  em192a

j157

 

   Lotus Service Notes                                  Section JJ

Page 34

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

  em192c

3.

Charging printer

Power supply
transformer

Do NOT use adaptor
lead for this application

Printer

With later type adaptor

Connect to COM
port on PC

Power
supply
transformer

Power supply adaptor

    em192f

   Lotus Service Notes

                Section JJ

Page 35

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,
consisting 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 indi-
vidual 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 follows:

-

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

 

   Lotus Service Notes                                  Section JJ

Page 36

TechCentre Connection

TechCentre connection to the car is made via the Vehicle Communication Device (VCD) and the Data

Link Connector (DLC) located at the front of the passenger footwell.  The yellow connector lead is used to
connect the VCD to the car, and a USB lead connects the VCD to the laptop PC.

Power for the VCD is taken from the vehicle battery via the DLC and when powered, a blue tell tale on

the unit will light.  Should updated firmware be available for the VCD (usually downloaded as part of an online
update) TechCentre will automatically update the VCD and display a message to confirm.

The VCD, under part number T000T1472F is supplied in a black plastic carry case containing the follow-

ing:

VCD
16 Pin Yellow connector lead (VCD to Vehicle)
USB lead (VCD to PC)
USB extension lead (VCD to PC)

Use of TechCentre

Instructions for using the TechCentre are available in the ‘Technical Information’ section displayed on

programme start up.