Lotus 2004 ELISE Service Notes page 218

Lotus Service Notes
tyre conditions. However, a wheel that completely locks and stays locked for more than one or two seconds is
not normal, and indicates that the vehicle should be serviced as soon as possible. The ABS cannot operate
properly if the base brake system is faulty, and will also be affected by dragging brakes, faulty wheel bearings
or other related faults.
The ABS controller constantly monitors the anti-lock system for faults, and lights a fascia tell tale if a
problem is detected. Information stored in the computer's memory may be accessed via a hand held electronic
scanner, in order to facilitate diagnosis of system faults (see later).
JJ.2 - TELL TALE LAMPS
Two tell tale lamps are provided in the instrument cluster to warn of problems in the brake system.
Brakes Tell Tale
As a bulb check function, this tell tale will glow red for about six seconds after ignition switch on, and then
go out unless one of the following conditions applies:
i) The parking brake is applied.
ii) The brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir is low.
Under normal circumstances, the tell tale should light when the ignition is switched on, and go out when
the parking brake is released. If the lamp stays on, or comes on whilst driving, the car should be stopped
immediately, as this may be an indication of low brake fluid level caused by a hydraulic leak. A button on the
reservoir cap allows the tell tale circuit to be tested.
Euro spec. 'Brakes' tell tale
'ABS' tell tale
ABS Tell Tale
The ABS tell tale warns the driver of problems in the anti-lock system. The lamp should light for about 6
seconds following ignition switch on, and then go out. If the lamp remains lit, or comes on whilst driving, a fault
in the ABS is indicated. The base brake system will continue to operate normally, but without ABS regulation.
The car can be driven but should be checked and repaired at the earliest opportunity.
JJ.3 - BRAKE FLUID CHECK & CHANGE
Before checking the brake fluid level, ensure that the car is parked on a level surface, and remove the
driver's side front body access panel. The level of fluid in the reservoir may be inspected without disturbing the
filler cap, and should be level with the top of the 'MAX' mark moulded on the translucent reservoir body. The
level will fall progressively as the brake pads wear in service, and should be checked at each service interval.
A sensor incorporated into the filler cap will light a tell tale lamp in the instrument cluster if the level drops
significantly. As a bulb check, the tell tale should light for about six seconds when the ignition is first turned on,
but may also be tested by pressing the button on the filler cap, which action should light the tell tale with the
ignition switched on.
The reservoir is mounted on a bracket over the master cylinder to which it is connected by flexible hoses.
An internal baffle divides the reservoir into two compartments, with one section supplying the front brake
circuit, and a second section supplying the rear brakes in addition to, via another flexible hose, the clutch
master cylinder. Service wear of the clutch friction plate will cause fluid to be displaced from the self adjusting
clutch slave cylinder, back to the reservoir, and will counteract to some extent the dropping of the level due to
brake pad wear.
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USA spec. 'Brakes' tell tale
'ABS' tell tale
Section JJ
m252