Intermittent failure to start

[danmessy]

It is a passive theft deterrent system. If you take "too long" between unlocking and starting than it will neutralize the turnover ability. The time is about a minute. Even the Evora's were like this. It is a pet peeve of mine, but I've learned my way around it.

This is not it. This is a new issue for me post service and update last week. My unlock seat and start time has never changed in 1 year and it far below 1 minute, even below 30secs.

 

[Sjetware]

Well, good news - I'm able to reproduce the issue at will.


It's something related to the wifi / internet. Note, I don't have my car configured to connect to my phone or anything - but once you get past the magic dialog boxes about the connection, the car starts right up every time.

If you don't, well... You get stuck in the bad state, and you have to lock the car and unlock again. You'll notice a dialog indicating the wifi is disconnected, and it will start right up.

So it's 100% software related. The good news is that you just need patience to resolve; wait long enough for the infotainment to do it's thing. I'm more annoyed it seems to have some kind of "call home" functionality that prevent the key from being recognized.

 

[Enut]

Well after 8 months I had my first non start a couple of days ago. I had been for quite a spirited drive (showing the car to a couple of clients who are petrol heads and both wanted a drive, I was happy to oblige), anyway on the way home from that I stopped for petrol. After filling up it wouldn't start, just got a click and a 'parking brake error' warning.
I had read that locking it and leaving it for 5 minutes would solve the problem and thankfully it did. Wierd.

 

[Kimmax]

Well, good news - I'm able to reproduce the issue at will.


It's something related to the wifi / internet. Note, I don't have my car configured to connect to my phone or anything - but once you get past the magic dialog boxes about the connection, the car starts right up every time.

If you don't, well... You get stuck in the bad state, and you have to lock the car and unlock again. You'll notice a dialog indicating the wifi is disconnected, and it will start right up.

So it's 100% software related. The good news is that you just need patience to resolve; wait long enough for the infotainment to do it's thing. I'm more annoyed it seems to have some kind of "call home" functionality that prevent the key from being recognized.

Can’t reproduce it. With parking brake error it doesn’t matter how fast or slow I am at all. Sadly didn’t video

 

[danmessy]

Update on my intermittent start issue, dealer said they re did the Jan software update which solved all others with the problem, but the issue was still hanging around. Seeking info from UK as the problem had occurred post update. Dealer said they did Disconnect battery for a few hours for a reset or something along those lines. Later that day / next day, the issue resolved and so far has not returned. I've had and used the car three days with no issue... weird. No idea what is going on but fingers crossed it was a software gremlin which was resolved by the reinstalled update and turning the battery off and on again... we shall see with time

 

[Porter]

Update on my intermittent start issue, dealer said they re did the Jan software update which solved all others with the problem, but the issue was still hanging around. Seeking info from UK as the problem had occurred post update. Dealer said they did Disconnect battery for a few hours for a reset or something along those lines. Later that day / next day, the issue resolved and so far has not returned. I've had and used the car three days with no issue... weird. No idea what is going on but fingers crossed it was a software gremlin which was resolved by the reinstalled update and turning the battery off and on again... we shall see with time

Jesus, so this is basically like flashing new firmware to a computer or network device and then never rebooting it. So it just keeps running in the old state.

 

[Go Kart]

This is a circus with no ringmaster…

 

[Eagle7]

Jesus, so this is basically like flashing new firmware to a computer or network device and then never rebooting it. So it just keeps running in the old state.

That's exactly what I thought when I read it. I guess there are auto mechanics out there who haven't figured out they aren't auto mechanics anymore, they're now computer techs.

 

[Honcho]

Had mine updated around January. My dealer also services Bentley's and said they have the same problem. I was told that you need to wait a minute or so after unlocking before starting. Similar to a previous post here.

 

[RO62GER]

Had mine updated around January. My dealer also services Bentley's and said they have the same problem. I was told that you need to wait a minute or so after unlocking before starting. Similar to a previous post here.

But what if you're James Bond? You can't be hanging around for a minute or so while Blofeld makes his getaway.

 

[cbflip2003]

Had this issue too, it went in for updates in March and so far has been fine since.

My work around in case someone is stuck and finds this - Locked the door while in the car left it locked for 10min, when I hear the clicking sound (something locking maybe) it was settled. I then would unlock the car, give it 10 seconds, open the door, close the door and it would start. Not sure which parks of that process can be deleted but worked for me.

 

[Maurice R]

Had this issue too, it went in for updates in March and so far has been fine since.

My work around in case someone is stuck and finds this - Locked the door while in the car left it locked for 10min, when I hear the clicking sound (something locking maybe) it was settled. I then would unlock the car, give it 10 seconds, open the door, close the door and it would start. Not sure which parks of that process can be deleted but worked for me.

Thanks for this. My problem is car going into limp mode. Dealer told me to do exactly same as you. It does the trick.
But they are going to replace the unit that controls WiFi Bluetooth and other stuff.
Dealership has been waiting on that part for 2 weeks and cannot get an answer from lotus when the part will get here

 

[On rails]

I had the experience happen 2 weeks ago after I grabbed a quick lunch. The radio came on but i noticed that the 2 screens were not synced but apple car play was working. I locked and unlocked the car and it fired up.

It is now been a regular experience after i drive it for any length of time, buts it takes longer and longer before it starts. I have to continually lock and unlock the door, and it make a weird noise when trying to start like buzz or something that is preventing it from starting.

I do believe it is software related, and I factory reset all the wireless internet and factory settings and did a hard reboot. I noticed both screens synced up after I drove and didn’t have any issues after work, where I did after lunch earlier in the day.

I do live in Kansas City, so I would have to drive to St. Louis too drop it off. I don’t want too until there is a correct fix for it.

 

[Blackthought_]

Well, good news - I'm able to reproduce the issue at will.


It's something related to the wifi / internet. Note, I don't have my car configured to connect to my phone or anything - but once you get past the magic dialog boxes about the connection, the car starts right up every time.

If you don't, well... You get stuck in the bad state, and you have to lock the car and unlock again. You'll notice a dialog indicating the wifi is disconnected, and it will start right up.

So it's 100% software related. The good news is that you just need patience to resolve; wait long enough for the infotainment to do it's thing. I'm more annoyed it seems to have some kind of "call home" functionality that prevent the key from being recognized.

I just experienced this same exact issue. Have you tested this with your car connected to your phone? I didn’t have my phone and mine didn’t start, I then brought my phone over and the car connected to it and it started right up. I didn’t lock/unlock etc

 

[Sjetware]

Yes, with phone connected it makes no difference. It's something goofy with the infotainment currently

 

[JClem]

I’ve had no issues with starting until it went in for a service and software updates 2 weeks ago.

It’s not starting first time, open door, lock car, unlock, open and close door and it starts! It’s just thrown an engine warning light at me for the first time this morning as well.

 

[scc.131.fe]

I’ve had no issues with starting until it went in for a service and software updates 2 weeks ago.

It’s not starting first time, open door, lock car, unlock, open and close door and it starts! It’s just thrown an engine warning light at me for the first time this morning as well.

yikes, makes me want to just live with old hill-hold software until Lotus gets this sorted.

 

[emirahl]

If it does not start at the first try AND you get the engine warning light than do the following, which works for me.
Put your steering wheel less much deep inside AND pull it up to a slightly higher position. Not very low and not deep forward. Find a position for the steering wheel in which your car starts at the first try. Lock it in that position and do not change anymore.
A recall will come. It is not software, it is a too tight connector at the steering wheel under the dash board. A recall is coming soon according to information I got.
Let me know if it solves your problem.

 

[JClem]

I got in touch with B&C who said I am the 3rd or 4th occurrence they've seen of not starting 1st time since the latest software update came out which was meant to rectify it. Wishing I'd never had the update now!

My steering position hasn't change in the 11 months I've had it. All was fine and well, and then a software update comes and boom! All hell breaks loose. I'll give the steering a go though and I'm going to keep an eye on the infotainment this evening before starting her up.

 

[Kimmax]

Put your steering wheel less much deep inside AND pull it up to a slightly higher position. Not very low and not deep forward. Find a position for the steering wheel in which your car starts at the first try. Lock it in that position and do not change anymore.

Info from an official Lotus dealer? First time I heard of that