Engine won’t start if I leave car unlocked too long

[Adam MJ]

Can anyone help please?

If I unlock my Elise S3 and don’t get in quickly, put the key in and press the start button, the car won’t start

If I subsequently lock and unlock the car using the fob (whilst sat in it) then it lets me start the engine?!?!?

[Bibs]

The immobiliser activates itself after 30 seconds if you haven't started the car. You can un-activate it by just pressing the unlock button again, you don't have to lock it. 

Have a look for the red flashing light on the speedo, that'll show you if it's active when it's flashing

 

[jerzybondov]

It's the immobiliser. If the car has been open for more than 40 seconds then you need to press the middle button again to start the car. Lotus quirk!

[Escape]

2 hours ago, jerzybondov said:

Lotus quirk!

Not specific to Lotus, many cars have a similar system as an added theft prevention should you unlock the car and then go and do something else. Some cars even relock automatically 30 seconds after being unlocked if no door is opened, again to prevent you walking away from an unlocked car.

Can be very annoying for sure!

[ramjet]

Might be annoying, but I would be more annoyed if I watched on as some nefarious rapscallion drove away in my car.

[Escape]

Even without an immobiliser a thief will still have to get past the ignition and steering lock without a key. Unlike on some modern cars where it's easy to clone the signal from the keyless entry and nothing is stopping you from driving off. Just need to disable the GPS tracking or drive the car into a metal container or such.

[C8RKH]

For all those years we've been the butt of jokes re our old Ford/ Whatever key yet in then end, the cars are more secure for it! Remarkable insight from Lotus to NOT follow the trend with keyless entry and ignition 😂