Traction light : to be or not to be that’s question

[Cdm2018]

I have asked and am sure there is an answer ?

I had a major service last week , had my lotus dealer look at my codes history as I informed them my traction light comes and goes 

dealer looked at it said they cleared it couldn’t see what caused it ?

today car went for it’s MOT just before arriving at lotus garage traction light came on ? Car went through MOT successfully no light however lotus guys put laptop and cleared any codes , drove home and Traction light came on as I neared home ? 
So my question what can I do about this dam light ? Lotus guys said they never know why it comes on and there’s no codes ? 
car drives ok there’s a slight Rev hunting when sat at traffic lights but otherwise car runs fine 

[Kristof Thys]

Does the cruise control still work when the traction control light is on?

[Peegee355]

Can you put it into Sport or Race mode with the traction control light on?

[RichardC]

I had the traction light come on on my 400 the other day and I couldn't select Race or Sport modes. Luckily it soon went out of its ken accord, and hasn't been seen since.

 

When it was on there were no OBD codes to be found by my basic OBD reader, which only reads "engine" codes. My question is: is there a home-use OBD reader that you can buy that can read other system codes on the Evora? (e.g. TC, ABS, SRS-airbag, TPMS, etc.)

 

[Peegee355]

No idea but the fault on my 400 was due to a duff ABS sensor 

[Bravo73]

37 minutes ago, RichardC said:

My question is: is there a home-use OBD reader that you can buy that can read other system codes on the Evora? (e.g. TC, ABS, SRS-airbag, TPMS, etc.)

 

Yes and no. 

There is an ODB reader that can interrogate some of the modules. See this thread for details:

However, don’t think that it will act like a DIY version of Lotus Techcentre. It won’t. For example, with the airbag module, it can’t read the actual code but it can clear the light. It might be the same with some of the other modules. However, it won’t be able to access any proprietary modules (such as the Bosch ABS module). That is specific to the Evora (and Exige, presumably). 

[Cdm2018]

Not sure about cruise control seldom use it to be fair and I don’t have sport button just my right foot !

I read on a related thread about accelerator or brake pedal taking out a  plug and reset it back ? 
i was hoping the lotus garage at my major service was sorting it but to no avail ! 

[RichardC]

16 hours ago, Bravo73 said:

Yes and no. 

There is an ODB reader that can interrogate some of the modules. See this thread for details:

However, don’t think that it will act like a DIY version of Lotus Techcentre. It won’t. For example, with the airbag module, it can’t read the actual code but it can clear the light. It might be the same with some of the other modules. However, it won’t be able to access any proprietary modules (such as the Bosch ABS module). That is specific to the Evora (and Exige, presumably). 

That's useful to know but also a little worrying. Changing an ABS wheel sensor, for example, is a simple DIY or local garage job. The car knows exactly which sensor is playing up, puts on a fault light, but it won't tell you which one it is. Your only option is take the time and expense of a trip to the nearest Lotus dealer for diagnostics, which may not be very near at all. If it's an intermittant fault then it could be a wasted journey if the fault has cleared by the time you get there. And don't forget that dashboard warning lights are now an MoT test fail, so the option of ignoring them is no longer there. Unlikely to happen, but what if Lotus were to go out of business and the already sparse dealer network culled?

The car industry really ought to be forced to produce an open standard for reading and resetting fault codes for systems other than the engine, just as they were when OBD2/EOBD came in. In the US it looks like they've been trying to introduce "right to repair" legislation for around 15 years and not got very far, with certain car  (and computer - I'm looking at you Apple!) manufacturers opposing it, presumably because it would mean lower profits for their dealer networks. I've not seen anything about similar initiatives in the EU, but we aren't in that any more anyway. Rant over.

 

 

[KJD]

Just had this.

Traction light on. Couldn’t select modes or use cruise control.

Intermittent problem that got progressively more frequent.

Cause was a faulty brake pedal switch. B&C replaced under warranty.

Might be worth checking if your brake lights are working if you get this problem.

Didn’t know to check mine but in theory they shouldn’t have been working and would have diagnosed the issue.

Apart from the obvious danger of no brake lights. 😮

For future reference, etc.

[Gashead1105]

^agreed - had same issue a few months ago, replaced the brake pedal switch and it's fine. It also happened on both my V6 exige and S2 exige before that. Brake switch is a consumable basically, will go after 3/4 years. Cheap to fix though. 

[Cdm2018]

11 minutes ago, Gashead1105 said:

^agreed - had same issue a few months ago, replaced the brake pedal switch and it's fine. It also happened on both my V6 exige and S2 exige before that. Brake switch is a consumable basically, will go after 3/4 years. Cheap to fix though. 

How do you replace this brake switch ? Given I am a real dummy when it comes to things mechanical ! I thought  my lotus service would spot this but all they did was to clear the light however it came back 5 mins later 

I notice it comes on when I do brake but I am certain my brake lights work correctly as it’s passed MOT a few weeks ago 🤔

[GTE_Peter]

Brake pedal switch is fitted behind the brake pedal.  It is a pain to get at.  It basically unplugs and you need to plug a new one back in.

I did mine earlier in the year.   I bought mine from SJ sportscars  https://www.sjsportscars.com/parts-and-accessories/A116J6034F.htm

Took about 10 minutes to do.  If you are tall or have big hands it might be difficult to get at!

[KJD]

3 hours ago, Cdm2018 said:

I notice it comes on when I do brake but I am certain my brake lights work correctly as it’s passed MOT a few weeks ago 🤔

I’d guess the traction light wasn’t on (so the switch wasn’t misbehaving) at mot time (otherwise it would have failed) and therefore the brake lights would have been fine at that moment.

[Cdm2018]

21 minutes ago, KJD said:

I’d guess the traction light wasn’t on (so the switch wasn’t misbehaving) at mot time (otherwise it would have failed) and therefore the brake lights would have been fine at that moment.

I don’t know that the traction light affects my brake light ? I need to check it when I get the traction light come up I need to get someone to look at the rear to see if brake lights are affected ? Not had anyone flash or beep me about my brake lights ? 

3 hours ago, GTE_Peter said:

Brake pedal switch is fitted behind the brake pedal.  It is a pain to get at.  It basically unplugs and you need to plug a new one back in.

I did mine earlier in the year.   I bought mine from SJ sportscars  https://www.sjsportscars.com/parts-and-accessories/A116J6034F.htm

Took about 10 minutes to do.  If you are tall or have big hands it might be difficult to get at!

Is there a step by step plan on doing this ? I am not tall and have average hands but have a bad back so maybe I get my son to do it ? 

[Colin P]

It’s behind the brake pedal. Can’t miss it. Pull off plug. Turn 1/4 turn and pull out from the back. 
 

Fitting it is the reverse. 

[Gashead1105]

@Cdm2018Don't know how to do it myself, but it took Dave @Hangar 111about 10 minutes! 

[2011 Chrome Orange]

I "borrowed" these photos from online to show what you are looking for when replacing the brake switch...

 

[Hangar 111]

16 hours ago, Cdm2018 said:

I don’t know that the traction light affects my brake light ?

Because it's a dual-function switch - first press tells ECU you are about to press the brake, second does the rear lights.

It should be setup correctly using Lotus diagnostic tool to ensure the code is properly sorted (that both switches switch at the correct point versus brake pedal pressure sensor), but many people seem to get away with just swapping it.  To be fair, I've had simple one that work straight away, and some that take a few goes to get it right.

Dave

[KJD]

Just about to say that. Thanks Dave.

A light tap on the pedal cancels cruise without activating the brake lights. Full press turns them on.

So my theory about checking them when the warning light is on might be rubbish if the fault is with the first part of the switch.

Oh well, just a thought!

[Cdm2018]

All the above sounded Greek to me so I got the AA man to sort out my suddenly non shutting boot !!!

whilst he was sorting that boot out I told me about the above however I didn’t show him the last couple of kind responses above as I didn’t see them to now ! 
anyway the nice AA man said he fixed the boot it was the cable that got stretched ? So I need to sort that for long term ? 
the brake switch he said he took it out gave it a clean and put it back but I haven’t tested as I was busy today with work 

[Evorasteve]

I just wanted to sat thanks to the various posters on this issue.  I had the traction control light come on on my Evora 400 whilst out on Saturday and it go into limp mode.  LIke other owners, I couldn't operate the sport or race modes or the traction control. It seem to reset after a quick restart of the car but the problem came back shortly afterwards, this time with the MIL light and the spanner symbol as well.  After reading this forum I bought a replacement brake pedal switch from Elise Parts (£28, including fast shipping) and fitted it today.  I used my OBD device to reset the codes (which referred to some malfunction of the throttle actuator control) and boom, problem solved.  I've just been for a 30 mile drive with no issues.  Before I replaced it I could barely drive 5 minutes without a fault appearing.  Fingers crossed that's the problem solved.

It's a simple job to replace it.  A couple of points I noted - you have to make sure the grey plunger is set to 5 clicks (push it all the way in and carefully click it out 5 clicks) and secondly I noticed how much tighter the new switch fitted into the slot than the one I removed (it was easy to remove the old one but quite hard to turn the new one the 90 degrees to lock it into place).  I reckon that with time and use it had become slightly loose in the slot and that had caused it to become erratic.  

Special thanks to 2011 Chrome Orange for the pics.  They really helped.

It's a GM part and has three numbers 09132299 / 09175172 / 09/175185

Edited March 9, 2021 by Evorasteve

[Cdm2018]

My traction still comes and goes like an old friend who drinks all your beer ! 😳

I will ask my lotus garage at next service to change the switch for now I can live with it like an ex wife ! Lol 

[au-yt]

7 hours ago, Cdm2018 said:

My traction still comes and goes like an old friend who drinks all your beer ! 😳

I will ask my lotus garage at next service to change the switch for now I can live with it like an ex wife ! Lol 

This sounds like the switch needs to be extended one or two click.

I had mine replaced today. This is a common fault on all V6 cars.

The guys at SSC replaced mine and set it up and it’s now out 8 clicks. 7 or 8 is the magic number... apparently.

it is very simple to do, google it, there is bucket loads of discussion on this very subject.

im going to get a replacement as they are common GM item and keep it in the glove box.

[au-yt]

https://rrr.lt/en/used-part/civ3022-09132299-opel-astra-g-brake-pedal-sensor-switch

 

5bdb56adaa3f52634f691504b3e7d552-opel_astra_g_stabdziu_pedalo_daviklis.webp

[Peteric]

Thanks to everyone who posted on this topic.

I went out in my Evora S IPS the other day only to have the traction light come on intermittently and then stay on after a while.

I read this thread and yes, as soon as i pressed the brake pedal on came the light so i ordered one from SJ sportscars as Lotus wanted £56.00!!!

Fitted today and problem sold.

Old one was a GM part with part number 09175172 and done a search and it is off old Vectra's and corsa's etc from around the year 2002/2003 and can be bought for £15.00 or so.

I did not adjust mine from SJ's just fitted and tried it so they may pre set theirs to a certain amount of clicks?