Some faults that appear on Lotus Esprit's only manifest themselves with the passage of time.
When headlamp pod control modules fail, then this situation leaves Esprit owners with only a few options.
The original module Lotus part number A082M6363F is no longer available from the Lotus Factory.
Equivalent parts sourced from GM vehicles manufactured in the USA might initially appear to solve the immediate problem.
However, there is another option which is to repair the internal electronic module.
The two piece case can easily sprung apart at the four locating lugs located on the back of the plastic enclosure.
Opening the unit up reveals a simple printed circuit board with a central relay, integrated circuit, resistors etc. and two power transistors.
A visual inspection of the PCB above indicates all is not well with the dark brown heat marks around the two power transistors.
The power transistors are located directly opposite each other and are labelled Q1 and Q2.
These transistors are soldered to the circuit board and the external case is also riveted to the fibre-glass board but with no provision for a heat-sink.
A quick check of the components with a DVM indicates both power transistors are faulty.
Fortunately its possible to identify the two transistors as being identical N-channel MOS FET's.
After some research, a technical data sheet is obtained for the MOS FET's and a search made for a local supplier.
During the search, a superior replacement power transistor was found that was capable of handling significantly more switching current.
Part two of this document contains both sets of technical data sheets for the original and replacement MOS FET's.
It also shows photographs of the new components installed with a simple heat-sink to provide much needed cooling.
These data sheets were used to determine the compatibility of the replacement components.
Lotus Marques can supply a repair kit comprising of two power MOS-FETs and two on-board heat-sinks to match the existing board and component installation
This kit is proven and is used in our workshop for regular module repairs
The cost for this kit is $20.00 plus postage and packing
When headlamp pod control modules fail, then this situation leaves Esprit owners with only a few options.
The original module Lotus part number A082M6363F is no longer available from the Lotus Factory.
Equivalent parts sourced from GM vehicles manufactured in the USA might initially appear to solve the immediate problem.
However, there is another option which is to repair the internal electronic module.
The two piece case can easily sprung apart at the four locating lugs located on the back of the plastic enclosure.
Opening the unit up reveals a simple printed circuit board with a central relay, integrated circuit, resistors etc. and two power transistors.
A visual inspection of the PCB above indicates all is not well with the dark brown heat marks around the two power transistors.
The power transistors are located directly opposite each other and are labelled Q1 and Q2.
These transistors are soldered to the circuit board and the external case is also riveted to the fibre-glass board but with no provision for a heat-sink.
A quick check of the components with a DVM indicates both power transistors are faulty.
Fortunately its possible to identify the two transistors as being identical N-channel MOS FET's.
After some research, a technical data sheet is obtained for the MOS FET's and a search made for a local supplier.
During the search, a superior replacement power transistor was found that was capable of handling significantly more switching current.
Part two of this document contains both sets of technical data sheets for the original and replacement MOS FET's.
It also shows photographs of the new components installed with a simple heat-sink to provide much needed cooling.
These data sheets were used to determine the compatibility of the replacement components.
Lotus Marques can supply a repair kit comprising of two power MOS-FETs and two on-board heat-sinks to match the existing board and component installation
This kit is proven and is used in our workshop for regular module repairs
The cost for this kit is $20.00 plus postage and packing