Lotus Service Bulletin: Cold Start Ignition Coil

Class 111
Number 1971/02
Type Elan & +2
Date 11.1.1971
Title: Cold Start Ignition Coil
Reason: To introduce an improved ignition coil which will ensure that adequate power is available at the coil during starting operations when battery voltage is low.
Parts Required: Ignition Coil: Part No. 036 M 6298
Starter Solenoid: Part No. 036 M 6299
Cable, Coil to Solenoid: Part No. A050 M 0132
Price: Part No. 036 M 6298: 3.08 (U.K Recommended Retail)
Part No. 036 M 6299: 1.65
Part No. A050 M 0132: 8p
Charges: U . K. - Warranty: No
EXPORT - Factory: No
- Distributor: No
Action: When it is required to fit the cold start coil to existing cars, then the following procedure is recommended:
  1. Disconnect the battery.
  2. Remove the cables from both the starter solenoid and the coil
  3. Remove and discard the existing solenoid and coil.
  4. Using the original fixings, attach the new solenoid to its location.
  5. To give a more positive fixing of the new ignition coil, the existing fixings should be replaced as follows:
    • Enlarge the holes in the body and the coil securing clip to accept a 1/4in. UNF setscrew.
    • Assemble the coil to the car body in the order of setscrew (Part No. XUFS 0416), washer (Part No. A04W 0904), coil suppressor and earth braid (when fitted), coil, car body, washer (Part No. A04W 1606) and nut (Part No. YUFN 040F).
    • BEFORE tightening coil fixings, ensure that the ballast resistor (on top of coil) is as far removed from the body side as possible
  6. Using the appropriate illustration (for generator or alternator equipped cars), re-attach the cables to the starter solenoid and the coil. BEFORE attaching the ‘white’ cable to the coil on models equipped with generator, or the ‘white/yellow’ cable on models equipped with alternator, REMOVE the insulation from the lucar terminal . This is done because the ballast resistor gets hot.
  7. Finally, ENSURE that no cables or pipes, can touch the ballast resistor on the coil.