Moving a non-starting Evora IPS

[Inkyfingers]

For lots of boring reasons, over the last year I've not been able to use my car and it's been stored on somebody else's drive. I have been over occasionally and started it and they have apparently been charging it using my ctek, though obviously not as regularly as they said they would as the battery went flat and couldn't be revived. I bought a new battery and went to try and start it yesterday and while the ignition, lights etc worked, the car won't start - with warning lights and a Comms Failure EMS showing in the display. As the car is out of tax and MOT and is due a service (and clearly some TLC having been left so long), I'm considering just getting it recovered to a dealer who can get all the issues ironed out and get the car back on the road. However, being an Auto, will it be possible to get it on a trailer if the engine won't start?

The good news is that i'll now be able to use it again and have a nice warm garage where it can be kept and be permanently attached to my ctek!

[Rambo]

I presume your recovery vehicle will be a low loader or fully demountable and it should have a winch so you could use the front towing eye

[Bibs]

The manual says that IPS cars should not be towed with the driven wheels on the floor under any circumstances. I think a couple of dollies may be best which the recovery company may already have, if not...

https://www.sgs-engineering.com/garage-equipment/wheel-dollies

Also...

https://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/search/?q="comms failure EMS"&quick=1

[Inkyfingers]

Thanks Bibs (my manual is buried somewhere in about 50 boxes that need opening and sorting)! So it sounds like with some sensible co-ordination with the dealer and the recovery company that it can be done - even if I have to purchase a couple of dollies to facilitate it.

Thanks for the link on the comms failure, I had read that already and took the view that it needs to go to a dealer anyway, so will as my uncle say - TMAP - Throw Money At Problem 😁

Are you able to recommend a recovery firm in Kent (if the dealer can't sort) - I had a work leased Merc recovered a few years ago and the driver was more ape than human... would have been having kittens if it had been my own car he was abusing!

Edited December 30, 2022 by Inkyfingers

[Bibs]

Sadly (gladly) I can't as I've not had a car on a trailer for a looong time! Which dealer are you sending it to? B&C have their own trailers and Simon H is excellent with the cars - other than that, a conversation with the dealer to see if they have their own facilities/recommendations as they're taking on the liability which could save some headache?

[Inkyfingers]

Thanks Bibs.... hope I haven't jinxed you now! 

Although it's further, I'm tempted to use Bell and Colvill as they used to look after the car (having bought it from them) and were excellent. I've used another dealer in Kent with mixed results and although there is now an 'official' dealer in Ashford, I've not got any experience of them. Particularly if they have their own trailers - I'm looking for as simple a solution as possible!

[Bruss]

If your dealer can’t sort recovery, I’d be looking for a different dealer.

[Bibs]

42 minutes ago, Inkyfingers said:

although there is now an 'official' dealer in Ashford, I've not got any experience of them

I've sent the boss a message asking on the recovery situation, will let you know when he gets back to me

 

[Inkyfingers]

Thanks Bibs, as helpful as ever 👍

[DH2]

Since you have working ignition, it would be worth leaving the ignition for 10-15 minutes, as sometimes the comms will recover.  Also a couple of ignition cycles during this process can help - always leave it 5-10 seconds for main relay to power down, before putting it back on.  Seen and done this many times after reprogramming ECUs.  If not, then the ECU recovery procedure, or reflashing should work.

You'd be fine to stick it in neutral (you should be able to do this with ignition on, foot on brake) and winch it to a trailer with driven wheels on the ground - the manual really means towing it.  Pushed plenty of them around in neutral without any issues.

Dave

[Rambo]

2 hours ago, DH2 said:

You'd be fine to stick it in neutral (you should be able to do this with ignition on, foot on brake) and winch it to a trailer with driven wheels on the ground - the manual really means towing it.  Pushed plenty of them around in neutral without any issues.

Dave

My thoughts too. And exactly what I would do with an auto.

Just another thought....🤔 do you have an OBD11 reader? If so, it might be worth hooking up and checking if there are any stored error messages. Clear them and jobs a good 'un 

 

 

[21gg]

Is it possible to select neutral still? At least then it can  be winched onto a trailer? 

That's what I was advised.

[DH2]

59 minutes ago, Rambo said:

Just another thought....🤔 do you have an OBD11 reader? If so, it might be worth hooking up and checking if there are any stored error messages. Clear them and jobs a good 'un 

Don't think you'll get anything whilst the comms failure state is present.

[Rambo]

Worth a try though.

Further info...https://www.lotustalk.com/threads/changed-battery-now-comms-failure-ems.468160/

[Escape]

Doesn't the Evora have a manual release to get the gearbox out of park in case of electrical (or comms) failure? Most cars have this feature, even if it's sometimes well hidden.

[Bibs]

It's not detailed in the manual, I did look but if @DH2 said it works, I'll take his word for it without doubt. 

[Rambo]

9 hours ago, Escape said:

Doesn't the Evora have a manual release to get the gearbox out of park in case of electrical (or comms) failure? Most cars have this feature, even if it's sometimes well hidden.

It's usually beside the gear stick. There is usually a tiny panel that you can pry open with a small screwdriver and press down a knob to release

[Escape]

Yeah, usually somewhere around the gear stick. If there still is a gear stick that is. Should be in the manual.

Getting the car in neutral should be perfectly safe to tow it onto a lowloader, just not to tow any distance or at speed as the gearbox oil pump wont be running.

[Inkyfingers]

Thanks all for the responses. Has given me some knowledge before I speak to a dealer next week.

Can't wait to get the car sorted and back on the road!