V6 Auto - “Gearbox malfunction service required”

[geoffbland]

I did brought the car (with the codes erased) to the dealer, they kept it for half the day trying to replicate the problem, but found nothing wrong.
They did notice that my car's software needed 2 or 3 updates, so they assumed that it might be a ECU glitch and I went back home.

Just a guess but I suspect there may be a timing error (race condition) when starting the car; the various modules around the car not `reporting back` fast enough when the car is started. I had something similar with spurious ABS module errors a couple of times when starting the car from cold. One of the recent software updates seems to have fixed this - not had any similar error since.

 

[Toomanyloti]

mine threw a few wobblers in the first few days of ownership after running out of fuel a couple of times (software glitch causing the gauge to miss read). Cleared the codes and nothing since.
Last service back end of summer had load (maybe 10?) of SW 'upgrades'

 

[grezex]

So mine cleared on its own overnight; I took a risk and was able to do another half day of track without it complaining, but I kept it idle between a session as it seems problem will manifest after a long period between off and on again. Maybe it really is ECU learning to actually work the gearbox...

Seems like the car settled down a bit without codes but felt slower in shifting during sessions.
I was also able to make it home without errors even with a couple of stops in between.
Thinking of bringing it to the dealer to check it out, but with codes gone, I kind of doubt they're going to be able to reproduce...

Definitely not confident in bringing it to another track event error-free, but what can ya really do if the dealer can't reproduce or see existing errors? Software updates and pray?

 

[emira2420]

So bit of an update on my side.

Lotus Stockport (HR Owen) have terrible customer service. Dropped the car off on Monday, they said Tuesday first thing it'll get looked at and let me know of an update.

As it's Christmas next week, we need the car to travel etc, hence the urgency.

Didn't get a call, so tried to call in multiple times yesterday - no answer.

Called today, got told they will speak to service dept and give me an update in 5 mins. 2 hours later, no call back.

So called again, and again they said 2 mins and they will give an update and call back - no call back.

Finally a third time, got through, and this time put me on hold instead.

They said that they've ordered new window trims on warranty...I was like huh? It's in for the engine warnings lol

They said oh that must have been done then...so unsure what the issue is. I'm going to pick it up later today and try speak to the service dept there to see what they say!

 

[geoffbland]

Lotus Stockport (HR Owen) have terrible customer service. Dropped the car off on Monday, they said Tuesday first thing it'll get looked at and let me know of an update.

My experience of HR Owen - but the one in London - after having my Elise serviced with them on several occasions is that Lotus are not worth their time - they have Ferrari's and Lamborghini's to look after (probably paying five times more per hour). This was over 20 years ago so I may be being a bit unfair - but I'd never use them again.

 

[emira2420]

So end result - They couldn't find anything wrong with the gearbox.

They said that the battery was showing low voltage and so what could have happened was it got low and threw out some errors as they've seen that happen a lot.

I'll keep my eye on it over the coming weeks. Also fitting a battery monitor as well to see how it is.

 

[grezex]

So end result - They couldn't find anything wrong with the gearbox.

They said that the battery was showing low voltage and so what could have happened was it got low and threw out some errors as they've seen that happen a lot.

I'll keep my eye on it over the coming weeks. Also fitting a battery monitor as well to see how it is.

Thanks for the update. Do you know if they checked the transmission fluid levels at all?
Did they just recharge the battery? I keep mine top off on trickle charger usually, unless during hard driving drains the battery that much, would be kind of silly or alternator problems.

 

[Sanguineous]

My experience of HR Owen - but the one in London - after having my Elise serviced with them on several occasions is that Lotus are not worth their time - they have Ferrari's and Lamborghini's to look after (probably paying five times more per hour). This was over 20 years ago so I may be being a bit unfair - but I'd never use them again.

Here in Canada the Lamborghini dealer (Montréal) and Mclaren Dealer (Québec city) who both officially sell Lotus, charge the same hourly rate for their cars and Lotus. Its about 300$CAD/h for Lambo and 250$CAD/h for Mclaren... I guess my Toyota Camry Auto supercharged V6 is closer to the 1000hp hybrid DCT lambo V12 than I imagined!

 

[Emirajhs]

Gearbox malfunction service required message appeared today in my Emira V6 Auto. 1,700 miles 2024 model. Message still after engine restart. I have booked into HR Owen Stockport this week. Will post results once it’s been checked.

 

[emira2420]

Thanks for the update. Do you know if they checked the transmission fluid levels at all?
Did they just recharge the battery? I keep mine top off on trickle charger usually, unless during hard driving drains the battery that much, would be kind of silly or alternator problems.

They said they checked everything. I’m in a tough spot as I live in a high rise flat, and our multi storey carpark doesn’t have power access!

They charged the battery up for me, and I’m fitting a battery monitor to keep tabs on it.

 

[dbjames]

They said they checked everything. I’m in a tough spot as I live in a high rise flat, and our multi storey carpark doesn’t have power access!

They charged the battery up for me, and I’m fitting a battery monitor to keep tabs on it.

Which battery monitor are you fitting please? How do you know it's Emira compatible...

 

[Emira67]

can’t find anyone online with the same issue as me…

Had this flash up on the dash, along with yellow engine light the other week. Thought it might just be battery gremlins, car ran ok so cleared it, and have driven it since for a week ok.

Was on the M4 today when it dropped out of 6th gear into 5th and engine warning light and gearbox error came up again and then couldn’t get it out of 5th gear, either up or down a gear via paddles. (It’s the autobox V6). When I came off the motorway and got down to 20mph it was then throwing a wobbly flipping between 5th and 3rd gear on the screen.

When I started it up again it seemed ok, and had to drive to get home anyway, which it did with no issues.

It’s showing the below codes, p0700 p0741 and p1613

Anyone had anything similar?


View attachment 70834

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I too, had the same issue tonight after doing a quick run to the grocery store. 2024 Emira with less than 3,000 miles. It initially threw the orange exclamation indicator, but quickly went to red, which did not allow me to shift into park or any other option. After turning it on and off several times it allowed me to shift gears, but with a gearbox malfunction error still lit up. I already have an appointment at the dealer for a broken middle console handle, and will hopefully have it addressed then! Ugh!

 

[grezex]

I too, had the same issue tonight after doing a quick run to the grocery store. 2024 Emira with less than 3,000 miles. It initially threw the orange exclamation indicator, but quickly went to red, which did not allow me to shift into park or any other option. After turning it on and off several times it allowed me to shift gears, but with a gearbox malfunction error still lit up. I already have an appointment at the dealer for a broken middle console handle, and will hopefully have it addressed then! Ugh!

Were they able diagnose and resolve the issue?

Mine simply wanted to run ECM updates since they couldn't get the error to show up again... especially the gearbox one that cripples track mode

 

[grezex]

Gearbox malfunction happened again after the ECM updates on a highway driving trip (2.5 hours ~150 miles in 90+ degree weather).
Parked car, grabbed lunch, then on departure limp mode (reduced acceleration) and gearbox malfunction. Sat in the shade for good 1-2 hours before starting again with no errors.

Then it's on and off gearbox malfunction error between 15 minute sessions for the next couple of days .
Generally keeping the car idle after a run with trunk open and cooldown shifting through gears manually reduces likelihood coming back after restart (could be my imagination, but the longer the better).

Maybe I got a lemon/bad gearbox and other junk.
It's going back to the dealer for them to tell me "can't reproduce" ...

 

[Holy]

Had this fault pop up the other evening when in my I4 auto. The warning appeared when I hit the throttle and the trans downshifted then would not engage and revs stayed high. Fault light went away after a few seconds and all went back to normal. I have not run codes yet. will check for codes and see what stayed. very disconcerting for this to happen at speed.

 

[Sanguineous]

Got some update from Lotus, but since there are couple threads about it, I will explain the update on the link below!

The automatic transmission SUCKS for tracking and hard spirited driving!

I have the V6 auto with paddle shifters, GRP titanium exhaust, 3rd cat delete & Eventuri intake. Tranny has a BOE transmission enhancement kit and a Quaife LSD. Even after installing JUBU's parts for better cooling, the cars transmission got to 240 degrees in about 15 minutes and the gearbox...

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