Installing flasher - Shifter locked in Park

[Kidbyte]

Ok, now I have hosed up my smart big time. I was attempting to install one of the flashers that others have used on the center brake light. I cut the hot wire from the switch to the bulb. After that, the car is locked in Park, the ABS light is on, on the dash and even though I restored the wiring, I have NO brake lights. I have read horror stories about this, but no one has posted any answers as yet. Any thoughts guys? I have a lonely smart sitting in the dark driveway....

Kidbyte

[Kermit]

Are you sure you have the wire restored fully?

I'm sure you've heard before to disconnect the battery while doing electrical work (I never seem to do it though :0) If I was in your shoes I would disconnect the battery and leave disconnected long enough to reset the computer. This just me though, hold off and listen for other fixes as well. This could of happened to someone else already.

[Dave Van]

Did you check the fuses??? No brake lights make it sound like you blew a fuse.

[Kidbyte]

Yes, I have heard to disconnect the battery, but being the old salt electronics technician, I didn't do that because I knew with the key off, there would be no power to the center brake light (I also checked with my dvm first!). Thankfully, I was able to use one of the tricks listed here in the forums to lift up the shifter cover and move the little yellow lever and got it OUT of park so I could at least put her in the garage for the night. But the ABS light is still on and no brake light. I am going back out there and recheck all the wiring involved to be sure everything is ok. Maybe there is a bad connection there or in the socket. Thanks!

Kidbyte

Originally Posted by Bum-bling-B

Are you sure you have the wire restored fully?

I'm sure you've heard before to disconnect the battery while doing electrical work (I never seem to do it though :0) If I was in your shoes I would disconnect the battery and leave disconnected long enough to reset the computer. This just me though, hold off and listen for other fixes as well. This could of happened to someone else already.

[Kidbyte]

Trying to check that now. The book doesn't list a fuse that includes the brake lights. Any thoughts on this? Might have to pull them all one at at time to check? Yuck!

Originally Posted by Dave Van

Did you check the fuses??? No brake lights make it sound like you blew a fuse.

[mvaldes]

Evolution lists fuse #24 as "brake lamp, rain/light sensor, combination switch left 15A Blue"

[Kidbyte]

That's strange, because my owner's manual only lists fuses 1 through 20?

I went out and low and behold there is a #24 fuse. I checked it and it is ok.

Shifter is still locking in Park, ABS light comes on and the ESP warning light is on.

Looks like Allison Powers will be getting a phone call in the morning.


Kidbyte

Originally Posted by mvaldes

Evolution lists fuse #24 as "brake lamp, rain/light sensor, combination switch left 15A Blue"

[getsmartusa]

There is another thread where the deealer found a faulty brake switch to cause the exact symptoms you describe. It seems the car is designed not to be able to be shifted out of park unless your foot is on the brake and there is a switch that senses that. Maybe you inadvertantly disconnected/interupted the +12v supply to that switch.

- David -

[jwight]

Very strange; I installed the webelectrics brake light pulser using Dave777's instructions and it works like a charm - no brake problems at all. I know this is obvious but I'd recheck each step in the process and ensure power is flowing as it should be.

PS - at least if your car goes to the dealer you can ask about a spare Radio 10!

[jwight]

Originally Posted by Kidbyte

That's strange, because my owner's manual only lists fuses 1 through 20? Kidbyte

As pointed out by Evilution numerous times, our operators manual is "dumbed down" compared to the UK version - incomplete list of fuses, no oil range table, etc. Sad but true.