QUESTION
I need some assistance, hopefully the information and attached photos will allow you to diagnose the problems replacing the ignition coil and amplifier in my 88 Lotus Esprit.
Occasionally the ignition will cut and the engine will not restart until its cooled down
I changed over the HT coil but the problem has persisted
Now I am just trying to change over the ignition amplifier.
It appears to me that my Lotus Esprit has been fitted with a second-hand amplifier and housing from a completely different vehicle (See photos)
So I’m wondering what is the best way to proceed?
Can I easily obtain the correct mounting plate or should I attempt to clean this one and attach the amplifier to it?
C.D. - Sydney, NSW
ANSWER
The simplest approach is to remove all the silicon rubber until you have an empty case
I would suggest filling the alloy case in this way would not assist in the cooling of the solid state amplifier but instead would tend to trap heat
When you install the new amplifier module, be sure the mating faces are clinically clean and then apply heat-sink compound on the back of the amplifier
Then simply fasten the amplifier to the inside casing before making the electrical connections
Enlarging the photo taken inside the engine management compartment reveals the full extent of the problems
It can be seen that the original loom has been modified to accommodate the non-standard amplifier
This has involved cutting off the rectangular (keyed) plug usually found on the end of the inductive pick-up cable
The plug would normally push on to the small and large terminal to prevent the pick-up being connected out of phase
What adds to the confusion is a Bosch module with totally different identification on the terminals
This problem clearly illustrates that it pays to install the correct components as it saves wasting time trouble-shooting in the future
Lucas AB14 HEi amplifier pin connections
Ignition amplifier pin B connects to HT coil +ve terminal (wire colour White)
Ignition amplifier pin C connects to HT coil –ve terminal (wire colour White and Slate)
Ignition amplifier pin W connects to inductive pick-up (wire colour Blue)
Ignition amplifier pin G connects to inductive pick-up (wire colour Red)
Please note carefully, if the inductive pick-up connections are transposed then the engine will not operate correctly or rev beyond 2000rpm
Copyright © 2019 Lotus Marques
I need some assistance, hopefully the information and attached photos will allow you to diagnose the problems replacing the ignition coil and amplifier in my 88 Lotus Esprit.
Occasionally the ignition will cut and the engine will not restart until its cooled down
I changed over the HT coil but the problem has persisted
Now I am just trying to change over the ignition amplifier.
It appears to me that my Lotus Esprit has been fitted with a second-hand amplifier and housing from a completely different vehicle (See photos)
So I’m wondering what is the best way to proceed?
Can I easily obtain the correct mounting plate or should I attempt to clean this one and attach the amplifier to it?
C.D. - Sydney, NSW
ANSWER
The simplest approach is to remove all the silicon rubber until you have an empty case
I would suggest filling the alloy case in this way would not assist in the cooling of the solid state amplifier but instead would tend to trap heat
When you install the new amplifier module, be sure the mating faces are clinically clean and then apply heat-sink compound on the back of the amplifier
Then simply fasten the amplifier to the inside casing before making the electrical connections
Enlarging the photo taken inside the engine management compartment reveals the full extent of the problems
It can be seen that the original loom has been modified to accommodate the non-standard amplifier
This has involved cutting off the rectangular (keyed) plug usually found on the end of the inductive pick-up cable
The plug would normally push on to the small and large terminal to prevent the pick-up being connected out of phase
What adds to the confusion is a Bosch module with totally different identification on the terminals
This problem clearly illustrates that it pays to install the correct components as it saves wasting time trouble-shooting in the future
Lucas AB14 HEi amplifier pin connections
Ignition amplifier pin B connects to HT coil +ve terminal (wire colour White)
Ignition amplifier pin C connects to HT coil –ve terminal (wire colour White and Slate)
Ignition amplifier pin W connects to inductive pick-up (wire colour Blue)
Ignition amplifier pin G connects to inductive pick-up (wire colour Red)
Please note carefully, if the inductive pick-up connections are transposed then the engine will not operate correctly or rev beyond 2000rpm
Copyright © 2019 Lotus Marques