Door Handle Failure

[kbhoz]

Went to open door and the driver door handle (AUS) had no spring resistance, Door handle remains in the position showed. Took it to the local Lotus chaps and there is a "service bulletin" recently issued for this problem. I have to manually push the handle in before closing door. Still awaiting parts from Lotus. Door still operates but its a little embarring when I forget to push it in as it looks like some fancy air brake.

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[T6061]

Air brakes! New feature!!

 

[virtualmacho]

trafficator

 

[Rayjoedef]

geez these cars....waiting for a body panel failure

 

[hugopanec]

Happened to me too, repaired with a new spring and everything is working fine

 

[BSC]

Omg this just happened to me today. Door still opens but you have to manually push back the handle into its place. SSC can rectify easily I hope

 

[kbhoz]

Omg this just happened to me today. Door still opens but you have to manually push back the handle into its place. SSC can rectify easily I hope

Yes - I am now in the habit of pushing the handle in every time i get in or out the car. What State are you in - NSW? I'm in Vic. I think my parts have arrived but it will be a few weeks before it gets sorted. Still a first world problem for me, I was told I am the first - but it is known by Lotus as a potential issue.

 

[BSC]

Yes - I am now in the habit of pushing the handle in every time i get in or out the car. What State are you in - NSW? I'm in Vic. I think my parts have arrived but it will be a few weeks before it gets sorted. Still a first world problem for me, I was told I am the first - but it is known by Lotus as a potential issue.

Hi Kev,
I’m in VIC. I think we have met twice already at SSC and at Otium club meet.
Spoke to Mark and I’m the second person with this issue and I also mentioned about you.
They are ordering the door handle from Sydney and need it painted before installing it but unfortunately their workshop is closed until 6th jan.
Hopefully they get the paint colour right

 

[MikeR]

Hi Kev,
I’m in VIC. I think we have met twice already at SSC and at Otium club meet.
Spoke to Mark and I’m the second person with this issue and I also mentioned about you.
They are ordering the door handle from Sydney and need it painted before installing it but unfortunately their workshop is closed until 6th jan.
Hopefully they get the paint colour right

No painting required on mine. The body-coloured handle is separate to the spring-loaded mechanism and gets transferred.

While-you-wait appointment, fixed in an hour.

 

[kbhoz]

Hi Kev,
I’m in VIC. I think we have met twice already at SSC and at Otium club meet.
Spoke to Mark and I’m the second person with this issue and I also mentioned about you.
They are ordering the door handle from Sydney and need it painted before installing it but unfortunately their workshop is closed until 6th jan.
Hopefully they get the paint colour right

got you now - will keep you posted

 

[Martylemoo]

I had a similar issue but my door also wouldn’t open.

After changing most of the internals they realised the issue was cable stretch.

 

[kitkat]

Anyone know how to get at this part to examine the spring? Looked through the service manual and it wasn’t obvious.

 

[Eagle7]

Anyone know how to get at this part to examine the spring? Looked through the service manual and it wasn’t obvious.

Putting "door release outer cable" in the search for the manual brings up pages 48 and 144. This is page 48, Is that the part you're looking for?

 

[kitkat]

Putting "door release outer cable" in the search for the manual brings up pages 48 and 144. This is page 48, Is that the part you're looking for?

View attachment 65677

Don't think so, it looks like this:

 

[kitkat]

Looks like it's P/N 8890572619 which was then discontinued and replaced by P/N 8899012919. Called the following: HDL ASSY-FRT LH DOOR OTR OPENING

 

[Eagle7]

So the spring itself doesn't look like a serviceable part, you have to replace the whole assembly. Is yours broken?

 

[kitkat]

So the spring itself doesn't look like a serviceable part, you have to replace the whole assembly. Is yours broken?

Sure seems like it, I'd like to get in there and see if the spring is just dislodged or actually broken or if there's a surrounding piece of plastic that snapped holding the spring. Seems that Lotus knows about this issue and has updated the part, so I ordered both door handles and will just live with it until I can replace them.

 

[Eagle7]

Sure seems like it, I'd like to get in there and see if the spring is just dislodged or actually broken or if there's a surrounding piece of plastic that snapped holding the spring. Seems that Lotus knows about this issue and has updated the part, so I ordered both door handles and will just live with it until I can replace them.

Bummer. That has to be a warranty item though, the dealer should be taking care of this.

 

[kitkat]

Bummer. That has to be a warranty item though, the dealer should be taking care of this.

I don't ever want to see a dealer.

 

[Eagle7]

I don't ever want to see a dealer.

Woah. You must have had a really bad experience!