A&Q about Lotus
Q:
If it was a stock battery in a stock car being driven on a public road, first or second owner shouldn't make any difference. It was a failure. Try the warranty, the worse they can say is now. Be a little persistent and don't give up easily. If they continue to say no, then look at the other options.. If you were the second owner and the water pump failed, the windshiled wiper sheared off, a headlight just fell off, etc.. that would still be warranted. Why not the loose battery and subsequent damage? The burden of proof is on them to deny it (mangusson act) not on you.
A:
Mine was loose from day one. I tried to tighten it and it stripped. The bolt was cross threaded. You can bet the person installing it fels the treads go soft but didn't care. I had to re tap at a more proper angle. I went with a hex head stainless bolt. It's still unfinished business. The battery rocks a bit as the fibreglass under it isn't dead flat. The battery really needs some type of angle iron type frame for it to sit in so it can't move sideways. I'm glad I caught mine in time. Obviously you can see the potential for damage when that mass leaves it's moorings. An odyssey battery laying on it's side will have less tendency to rip loose.
A:
Dude, that's hated. If had just been serviced, and "checked" - allegedly, I'd say you got a good shot under warranty. Keep us posted.
A:
My battery decided to come loose last week also, and my car is just two months old (2k miles on the clock).
Here's the difference: my battery tie-down bolt was tight and took a bit of force to remove. The Exide just slipped right out from under the clamp and was dangling at the end of the battery cables. I have a bootie, so I think that plus the softtop kept it from doing any damage. Plus, I was only on a sedate spin around the block when it happened.
After re-installing, it doesn't feel 100% secure. I think it's a design problem.
A:
damn i best check mine tonight!
A:
Very sorry to see this damage to your ride Bane. I sinecerly hope Lotus honors this as a warranty repair. If you did not touch this it is a fault on thier part regardless of how hard you were pushing the car.
When I added a quick connect for my Battery Tender Plus I did a double take on the stock hold down system of the stock battery and thought well, if no one has had an issue with this hold down system then it should be ok. Those bolts have to be secure though. Looks like a place to think of a mod.
A:
Is checking the battery tie-down torque part of the routine maintenence performed (doesn't seem like it would be...)? I did the "wiggle test" on the battery when I first got the car and it was fine... didn't move at all.
I just called Lotus of Scottsdale and talked to someone in the service department (Jeff). He was really nice/professional and promised they'd do everything in their power to try and get it covered... Now I play the waiting game while they do their research and contact whoever they need to about this issue.
A:
Jeff is a good guy, he'll do everything that can be done...
That really sucks though.
A:
I had HRM sell me an Odyssey battery. That battery has no lower lip for the bracket to grip, so Nile up there made me a bracket (I did pay some labor costs for this-no worries, well worth it). I will try to get a picture and post it.
I've heard of other stock batteries coming loose for sure. On my first car the battery came loose once but when I caught it the battery cables had kept the battery from traveling around too much. It WAS on its side.
A:
Man, sorry that happened...
A:
It might be a re-occuring defect. I've had my original battery and replacement out several times and when I re-install it, the battery is 100% "locked in". I can shake the car by "yanking" on the battery. Threads, hole position and whether or not the non-slip pad (under the battery) can make all the difference in the world.
That's a lot of damage - I will make checking the tightness of the battery a routine event. I've owned a few planes and the Elise is my "fun car: so I generally get in the habit of doing a "walk around" and occassional "pre drive" every few times I drive.
Sorry to hear about that! Good luck on the warranty - I think it is something that should be covered.
A:
I just checked mine. I have an 06. Mine was nice and tight. I also noticed high strength velcro on the bottom of the battery as well.
A:
Originally Posted by Reddirt14
It might be a re-occuring defect. I've had my original battery and replacement out several times and when I re-install it, the battery is 100% "locked in". I can shake the car by "yanking" on the battery. Threads, hole position and whether or not the non-slip pad (under the battery) can make all the difference in the world.
That's a lot of damage - I will make checking the tightness of the battery a routine event. I've owned a few planes and the Elise is my "fun car: so I generally get in the habit of doing a "walk around" and occassional "pre drive" every few times I drive.
Sorry to hear about that! Good luck on the warranty - I think it is something that should be covered.
Same here on an 05. I would imagine any shape other than the stock battery lip could cause a major problem.
Sorry about the damage. I hope it's covered.
A:
this thread prompted me to check my batt and I found it slides forwards and backwards - and the hex bolt is tight! Gonna need something to keep it in place I think.
A:
Update on the situation:
Lotus USA wants me to bring the car to a dealership so they can give an in-person assessment (pictures on EliseTalk aren't enough which is understandable).
This thread has been used by both my semi-local dealership (Scottsdale) and Lotus USA as a reference to what has happened. Thank you EliseTalk and all the members here for your support in this unfortunate situation!
I also find it odd that I've found 7 other owners within 48 hours of the mishap that have reported a similiar problem... in such a limited production car these numbers are quite compelling for my case in my opinion.
As an engineer... I'd say the entire battery system needs to be re-evaluated. Under closer inspection it looks like leaking acid from the battery may have contributed to the battery slipping out from underneath the bracket. The bracket shows signs of damage and corrosion. The water/acid combination may have also acted like a lubricant to allow the battery to slide out easier.
I'll be taking Thursday-Friday off work so I can get it to them before the weekend. I'm hoping for the best and I hope my Lotus has a speedy recovery.
A:
That's great news Greg!
I sure hope they'll do the right thing and replace your clam and lid.
It sure looks like LoS is kicking booty on this issue.
I hope I never need them but if I ever will I'm assured they'll do the right thing.
Perhaps you're the "straw that broke the camel's back" for a "battery restraining system" recall.
Good luck!
PS Beware of the speed cams on 101!!!
A:
That is great news Greg. As a result of this thread, I was looking at my car last night.
It seems to me that it ought to be fairly easy to retrofit a bracket that goes around the top of the battery and attaches to the rear engine compartment metal bulkhead. I hope Lotus USA takes a look at that.
It's just too easy for the existing setup to fail, and changing batteries should not be any harder than changing a tire. Hard cornering in a car like this should be expected, and it clearly cannot be categorized as abuse. That's what it was built for.
I was also talking to some SCCA Solo guys recently, who did not run the Elise, but had seen the problem on several cars since they appeared.
A:
Originally Posted by Bane
Update on the situation:
Lotus USA wants me to bring the car to a dealership so they can give an in-person assessment (pictures on EliseTalk aren't enough which is understandable).
This thread has been used by both my semi-local dealership (Scottsdale) and Lotus USA as a reference to what has happened. Thank you EliseTalk and all the members here for your support in this unfortunate situation!
I also find it odd that I've found 7 other owners within 48 hours of the mishap that have reported a similiar problem... in such a limited production car these numbers are quite compelling for my case in my opinion.
As an engineer... I'd say the entire battery system needs to be re-evaluated. Under closer inspection it looks like leaking acid from the battery may have contributed to the battery slipping out from underneath the bracket. The bracket shows signs of damage and corrosion. The water/acid combination may have also acted like a lubricant to allow the battery to slide out easier.
I'll be taking Thursday-Friday off work so I can get it to them before the weekend. I'm hoping for the best and I hope my Lotus has a speedy recovery.
that is exactly what i thought when i started doing my own investigation on the tire/alignment issue on these brand new cars... even the headlights...
you finding out about 7 other cars is already a pretty good percentage...
i think i've found at least 6 with the alignment off/excessive tire wear problem...
good luck with the warranty claim... don't give up...
A:
Here's the bracket HRM made for me (service cost, not free). Nile will kill me for showing this because he wanted to sand it down and paint it, but I was in a hurry. The bracket is AWESOME! It stops the battery from moving in any direction, and grips tightly.
Notice all the acid spillage from the stock battery leaking.
A:
Thanks Jer............that wouldn't be too hard to fabricate. I look forward to meeting you Sunday at Fed Ex.