I, and a neighbor, are both e…

2011-07-12T00:13:01.890Z

I, and a neighbor, are both experiencing transmission problems with our 2008's, however my Cabriolet has a problem not touched in these forums:

When in reverse, if I hit a bump (such as the curb while backing into the drive), I have no gear. No reverse, drive, nothing. Only park. If I turn off the ignition and count to 20, then start the car - VOILA, the computer has reset and I have a transmission again.

sure sounds like it accordin…

2011-04-12T04:11:36.096Z

sure sounds like it according to your service manager

Sorry to hear about the probl…

2011-03-27T07:42:05.145Z

Sorry to hear about the problems with your Smart. Hope all is well by now.

Had just 3 problems with my 2008 Smart after I got it, including the shifter issue. The final time was the worst because the shifter locked up and I was stuck at one of the busiest intersections in the area. I had the three bars on the dash. Tried all kinds of things frantically, so I can't say what allowed the shifter to unlock, but I even got out and moved the car forward a few inches. After that it was suddenly normal!

Yes, I got the 2009 transmission reflash, the new battery, the shifter lube and new manual at the first service (Mercedes). The second service was for behavior that was erratic (I forgot what) and the third I described above.

Took car to Mercedes, they did whatever they do, and it's worked flawlessly ever since.

A month ago, I took the Smart to the Ford dealer where I bought it second-hand, handed him a filter and some Mobil 1 (5w-50) and asked them to do the 20,000 mile oil and filter change. They were done 1/2 hour later and I paid $10! Did I get lucky, or what?

Now for some good news: I'd been getting about 34-36 mpg around town before the oil/filter change. Since the service, I'm getting close to 40 mpg around town. In addition, my Smartie has lots more pep, seems to shift better, and is generally more fun because it's become really even-tempered.

When the "three bars" happene…

2011-03-26T17:18:35.551Z

When the "three bars" happened, my husband went on the net and found a guerilla solution to get her going and it never happened again. The transmission problem, I am thrilled to say, was FINALLY solved a few months ago after having it worked on FOUR separate times. They seem to have gotten that computer glitch fixed. I was pissed as hell though that they charged me for the upgrade? Excuse me?! Not my fault and my car is still under warranty. I continue to say that Smarts are not for beginners, (just wait until you have a flat) however, since I live in San Fran. where the parking is a nightmare, my little Smarty does indeed make my life so much easier. I pity the fools that buy the first generation Smart Electric. Can you imagine those bozos at the Mercedes dealerships? Oy vey!!!!

Yep.......this happened to me…

2011-03-26T16:05:44.619Z

Yep.......this happened to me yesterday......Exactly as you discribed.

I ran down to the Post Office to mail a package and coming out.....the car was dead, except all the electrical (lights, horn, etc., etc.,) seemed to work fine......just the 3 bars on the dash.

Called SMART and no help......refered me to dealer.....out of warranty. (57,157 miles on my 2008 Cabriolet) Called the dealer.......refered me to SMART. (smile)

Finally got the service advisor on the phone......he would have to check with the technicians and call me right back. An hour later I called him back....but technicicians had just left for lunch.....be back in another hour......said, he'd call me back. Another hour and 15 minutes went by.....I called him back........he was busy helping customers.......got his voice mail.......he'd call me back.

Several minutes later he returned call and sent tow truck. Geezzzzzz.......Not the first time I've had problem with this dealership. They're actually a pretty good dealership.........IF......... you drive a Mercedes. I'd go somewhere else if it wasn't so far to drive. I wish my Mercedes dealer in Carlsbad handled the SMART cars......THAT, I would do. (smile)

Obviously the dealership problem is not SMART's problem....but just added to a frustrating day. Of course it's now the weekend and I'm out the car.....but hope to have it back running next week. On the bright side........ I was only a mile from the house and just happened to be on vacation to catch up on some household chores etc.

I just miss my little car. (smile)

Cheers,

I'm having the exact same iss…

2010-04-30T17:36:27.681Z

I'm having the exact same issue as you MoonTrout. My car won't shift into R or D and I will have to wait a while before the transmission engages into those drive modes. What sucks more is that when I took my car to the dealer, they told me that "nothing seems wrong with the codes and we don't see anything wrong with your car, except that you're due for service soon." The service people aren't being too helpful and will not be clear with me when I ask them about the details of the transmission.

Your problem sounds like it's…

2009-11-15T00:47:58.857Z

Your problem sounds like it's in a circuit board. When a circuit board gets very cold, it shrinks, perhaps causing a break in the printed circuitry or at a connection. This creates an open electrical circuit where there should be continuity. When the board warms up, the problem goes away because electrical contact is often re-established.

What I'd suggest is for SMART to operate a previously failed transmission circuit board (module) in an environmental chamber to see what it does under environmental extremes. If the failure is replicated in the environmental chamber, then the circuit board must be examined optically under high magnification while being operated in a test set designed to exercise the circuit board on the bench. The person examining the board must be thoroughly familiar with the board (maybe the designer, or a board tester at the factory?).

Sometimes a circuit board will fail while being flexed slightly (bent axially and linearly), so bending a board is a good way to find mechanical breaks in the copper traces or solder connections on the board. A board should also be checked for gross overheating, as would become obvious if a "lifted" copper trace is found. The components on the board can not be left unexamined either. Heat and cold can create all sorts of weird symptoms, but trying to find a bad component through the symptoms it causes is often a fool's errand.

If I were SMART, I'd go to the subcontractor that's making these boards and ask them how many of these boards receive full testing after they come off their production line (the percentage tested). Ask to see their failure record of new boards and see if the failures were tracked down and eliminated on the production line. Each change or ser of changes made to the board's design must be recorded in the board's documentation as a revision change.

Until these failures can be eliminated in the final product (the cars), SMART should insist on 100% testing of all new boards. If an airplane suffered from a "safety of flight " issue that could lead to death, believe me when I say that the manufacturer of the plane would work day and night until the problem was fully resolved. There's no such thing as being "slightly" dead.

People that Drive (BUY) Smart…

2009-11-14T23:31:21.561Z

People that Drive (BUY) Smarts have "Experimenter Personalities"...!!! Sounds like your Experiment went Sour...<:-(( Get into your Dealer, and get the "NEW" clutch... You know the "FIX" for the Bad Old Designed Clutch...

I'm having major problems wit…

2009-11-13T19:47:16.435Z

I'm having major problems with my Smart. I had the dreaded "three bars" earlier this year. had the new transmission "upgrade". Now I am turning on the car but it will not shift into R or D. Cannot get the letters to show. Only N. Turning the car off does not solve the problem. The problem is growing. Happens nearly every day. The car is now officially unreliable.I have had it back to the San Francisco dealership over 3 times and the last time the service manager suggested I trade it in for a new one. WTF?!!!! Anyone else experiencing this? Do I have a lemon?

I hope they have this fixed o…

2009-02-09T00:33:30.681Z

I hope they have this fixed on the 2009 models. I have a Brabus on the boat and my wife allredy hates the idea of getting a smart car. If she has any trouble with this car I will never hear the end of it. She wanted the Honda Fit. There may be a Brabus for sale in my future.

More transmission problems - 451 smart fortwo