Check Engine Light

[tjmodz]

Originally Posted by SkylarkSmart

I'm sad to say that my check engine light came on and the car began to shake after owning the car for only a few days. (car purchased on Monday and then broken on Wednesday @ about 250 miles) The dealerships and 1-800 Smart have been helpful but I don't understand what is wrong with my new car.

The car was towed to the dealership in Devon PA. They informed me that one cylinder was misfiring and they replaced a coil and I believe a spark plug. (I didn't know about the codes and didn't think to ask for them) This problem was fixed fairly quickly and off I went to the dealership to pick up my car.

Unfortunately, as I was driving home with the car, the same problem happened again. The car was shaking (less severe then before) and could barely get into gear. I called the dealership and it was suggested (along with bringing the car back) that I put more fuel in the car. I hadn't put fuel in since buying it on Monday and I had two bars left. When I started the car up again, the shaking was gone. I fueled up, but not all the way, and then was on the move again. Then, the car started shaking again (check engine light back on). At this point I could barely go 35 mph. I pulled over and turned the car off. When I turned the car back on the shaking was gone. I drove it back to the dealership. Of course, there were no problems the whole drive back to the dealership.

Any thoughts? Any one else having similar problems?

This sounds similar to what I've experienced and posted in another thread about the check engine light.

I wouldn't say the car was shaking, just a rough idle. And when it occurs I have limited power and can only keep up with traffic in 4th gear or lower. If I shift into 5th, the car just slows down no matter how hard I press the gas pedal.

Only once out of the 3 or 4 times this has occurred was I able to get a code with the Scanguage. It was P0303 which is a misfire on cyl. #3. This seems to be in line with what your dealer found.

Since it did it on the way home from the "fix", either there's something else going on, or the parts they installed were also bad? If they didn't change it at the same time as the last repair, maybe the plug wire is bad? I wish I had a better answer for you.

Good luck, and I'll be keeping an eye out for your results.

[jmartinsmart]

Well, add me to the list... I just picked up my smart last Friday 7/11, as of today I have 200 miles on it. at 140 miles the Engine Malfunction Light came on and I lost power. At first it felt like I had a flat tire or something. But then I noticed the lignt. It would barely move forward and was missing horribly. I pulled into a parking lot and positioned the car so it could be loaded and towed by a flatbed (I manage a tow company) and I shut the car off. I waited a minute or so and started it back up.

It ran fine for the rest of the day and is now safe at home. Does anyone know, if I take it in to the dealer (Smart San jose CA) will they be able to retrieve any code history? Now that it is running fine, I am tempted to wait and see if the problem was a fluke.

Jim

[MSOEMiller]

Originally Posted by jmartinsmart

. . . will they be able to retrieve any code history?

Yes, the code is recorded and they can pull it.

I started a thread just for misfiring problems . . .

IMPORTANT - Engine Missing - Others are reporting problem

[SkylarkSmart]

Since I last posted the dealership in Devon, PA has replaced a fuel injector. The car was running fine and we asked the mechanic to drive the car around to test it out. He drove the car for 50 miles and then while turning into the dealership, the engine light came on again and the car started to shake.

Now, I am waiting for an engineer to either come to the US from Germany or to call tech support and tell them what to do. The dealership in Annapolis informed me that there are 6 other cars in the US doing the same thing.

At this point, I just want to return the car. It's been over two weeks and nothing is being fixed and they have not timeline for fixing the car. I have no loaner car, no rental car. The dealership in Annapolis is requesting a loaner car, but they haven't heard back from the regional manager yet.

I've also called customer service to complain. I left a message with Jerome Coor on Friday. He did not call me back and I finally got in touch with him yesterday. He is also sending a message to the regional manager about my situation.

Overall, I'm becoming less and less satisfied with my smart car experience.

[jwight]

Just my .02, YMMV, etc., but this is smart's weak point right now. Any other make and no matter what the problem, there's usually a dealer less than 30 minutes away (may not apply in N. Dakota ) and parts are readily available. smart has very few dealers away from large metro areas, what seems to be a poor parts distribution network and a long wait for cars. Recipe for disappointment IMHO and the "word on the street" cannot be good for them.

PS - no problems with our car so far and it's doing fine, fun to drive, etc. but there's no excuse for SkylarkSmart being left hanging.

[SkylarkSmart]

I finally received a rental car yesterday. The dealership in Devon is paying for the car since they have no loaner cars. When I spoke with the manager of the dealership, he informed me that they know what is wrong with my car. (I found it interesting that I did not receive a phone call when they determined what the problem was with the car.)

Apparently, there is something wrong with the software of the car which is causing the check engine light to come on. They are working on the software, but the dealership was still unable to tell me when the car would be fixed. I'm happy to have the rental car but I wonder what is really wrong with my car.

[BillInEscondido]

Add me to the P0410 list.

Light came on this morning. I called 1-800-smartUSA. They called the dealer to let them know I was coming in.

It was the P0410 error code and resolved by replacing the switchover valve.

In and out - same day. Also, Kudos to smartUSA. They called me to let me know the car was ready before the dealer did!

[jmascia5]

Sky, I am thinking of buying an orphan from the people at Smart Devon, PA.. What do you think of the dealership?

I think it is a good idea for me to speak to maint manager to ask if they ran a check on all known issues with car.

Any input is apprceiated,

John

[Old smart]

I just had my car delivered yesterday, which is 50 miles/1 hour + away on the wrong side of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. Before leaving the dealership I picked up a replacement valve, just in case ($37 plus tax). The tech showed me how to change it if I need to, and the local Auto Zone store can clear the code after replacement. I know it would be a warranty item if it failed, but it also would be a considerable inconvenience and traffic hassle (plus gas) to bring it in for a 15 minute job. Worth it to me to have the part at hand.

[wahi]

Congrats, Old smart! Let's hope the light stays off.

Enjoy!