Malfunction 'Engine' Light

[JDR]

Hi,
New to the forum, hoping that someone has some insight to this issue?

I purchased an i4 new (posting here as it may, or may not, happen in the V6 as well?). The car is a first edition (11/24) which I bought on 5/25. At 1000 miles I had both a 'rear right indicator fault' and a flashing malfunction engine light. Brought to the dealer and the only code they could find was code U3003A2 - supply voltage general electrical failures system voltage low. They charged the battery and did a battery load test, both OK. (I have been diligent about charging the battery when parked. Dealer stated that they were unable to duplicate.

At 3000 miles the infotainment screen locked out and a solid malfunction engine light came on. In addition the shifter (in Auto) at 80MPH suddenly shifted from 8th to 4th under constant speed/load and I had to use the paddles to get back into 8th.

The interesting thing is that I don't get the malfunction light on start-up, only after being driven 150-200 miles. If I subsequently charge the battery then the warning light goes away, If I don't charge the light will come on at start-up. I suspect the dealer will put the car on a charger and thus can't duplicate. I don't get any battery charging warning during the drive.

The dealer suggested I contact Lotus customer support, which I did (UK and USA/China). The car has the latest software update but no change.

My (amateur) guess;

• battery voltage drops to the point where I get the warning before the car charging system kicks in as I don't get the light when the battery is fully charged at home.
• battery is damaged
• Alternator/voltage regulator is damaged

I absolutely love the car but don't fully trust it to go on a long multi-day road trip without charging it every night. The car has never failed to start nor had a 'limp mode' while driving. The engine temp never got over 195.

Does anyone have any thoughts?

P.S. I explained all of the above to UK support but they had me e-mail US/China support but not optimistic that they will respond. The dealer has had the car twice for the same issue for a total of 5 weeks but the issue is unresolved, I don't have much faith they know what to do.

Thanks

P.S.S Located in Marin County, California - some amazing backroads here!!

 

[Kaz]

If you are on the stock battery it's worth changing it out to a new one just to rule out the battery being a dud. Make sure to replace with AGM like from Braille. Not specifically your problem because you charge every night, but the AMG logic does not usually charge the car past 70% due to fuel efficiency so repeated short drives may bring the battery low. Also my car had a factory ground fault for the steering pump in the front of the car which took a very long time to diagnose, so random things like ground faults are also possible. I would change your battery out first...

 

[netsinah]

Agree with Kaz that a replacement battery is likely the easiest thing to try, although did the dealer test the other components? The shifting from 8th to 4th is concerning...

To avoid you buying a new battery, would the dealer "lend" you a replacement one, to try out a few days? If it works, great and you've got a "keeper new battery" under warranty. If not, return the battery to dealer. I'd be surprised if the dealer wouldn't agree to trial that but if not, perhaps Lotus US/China support would tell the dealer to do so?

Good luck solving your problems!

 

[Milk242]

Hm I also get the right rear indicator light fault but it quickly goes away

 

[Milk242]

If you are on the stock battery it's worth changing it out to a new one just to rule out the battery being a dud. Make sure to replace with AGM like from Braille. Not specifically your problem because you charge every night, but the AMG logic does not usually charge the car past 70% due to fuel efficiency so repeated short drives may bring the battery low. Also my car had a factory ground fault for the steering pump in the front of the car which took a very long time to diagnose, so random things like ground faults are also possible. I would change your battery out first...

Do you know where they found the ground fault? I wonder if I can pull apart some panels and do some checking and tightening of bolts myself

 

[Kaz]

Do you know where they found the ground fault? I wonder if I can pull apart some panels and do some checking and tightening of bolts myself

they had the whole front end apart..it is very unlikely this is what is happening with your car because like mine your power steering would be out. I was just pointing out it's possible it's a ground fault or short somewhere, but did you replace the battery yet?

*edit sorry thought this was the OP, I don't know where the factory ground is up near the front of the car I just know they moved the ground for the power steering motor to a spot closer to the main ground cable going back to the rear of the car.

 

[Milk242]

they had the whole front end apart..it is very unlikely this is what is happening with your car because like mine your power steering would be out. I was just pointing out it's possible it's a ground fault or short somewhere, but did you replace the battery yet?

*edit sorry thought this was the OP, I don't know where the factory ground is up near the front of the car I just know they moved the ground for the power steering motor to a spot closer to the main ground cable going back to the rear of the car.

Thanks. I am getting a high pitched whine when the car is running and from other threads it seems like it’s going to be a power steering pump failure on the i4

 

[Kaz]

Thanks. I am getting a high pitched whine when the car is running and from other threads it seems like it’s going to be a power steering pump failure on the i4

Mine didn't make any noise, just one day while driving I got a "fatal drivetrain error" or something really dramatic like that lol, and the power steering went out. Took over a month to diagnose, Lotus UK gave local service a series of test scripts to follow. Eventually found it to be that ground, they fixed it, then I lost power steering again and then they relocated it. Local service opinion was that the factory ground location was in a bad location so they moved it. Also the ground fault caused all sorts of whacky CEL and warnings to come up on the dash, anything electrical and the car will go haywire (as expected). Might be worth it when you bring the car in for service to explain the ground issue, and in SoCal at my dealer I think I was the 2nd person with steering pump issue on the I4 platform.