Quote:
Originally Posted by Djinn
one other code scanner question. Apparently, the current standard is OBD II, however some 2008 cars have started using the latest standard called "CAN". See this quote from a review on Amazon ...
"NOTE: Starting in 2008, a new standard called "CAN" will become mandatory for all vehicles, and some auto manufacturers are already producing CAN-compliant vehicles. OBD II code readers may or may not work with CAN vehicles ** check the product detail page to check if the scanner works with OBD II, CAN, or both"
Of course, scanners that can read both are more expensive. Anyone know which standard the smart passion uses - OBDII or CAN?
Djinn  |
CAN has been around for a long time. I worked for BMW Motorsport for a couple of years about '99-00. BMW road cars had CAN-bus back then; way ahead of the curve. Some of the fun facts I learned from BMW "master techs" included:
One third of the time, the MIL is triggered by the gas cap not being tightened until it clicks, or the tank is filled drop-by-drop until full to the cap. The Siemens ecu is very sensitive to this. It is doubtful that the smart/Mitzu uses Siemens hardware, but it's a common problem. Sometimes my Mini runs perfectly until a fill-up, and then it bucks and hesitates fir a few miles, sometimes with the light flashing. Then it goes away. If you remove and reseal the cap, the MIL might not go off for a few days.
Another 30-40% of the time, these guys claimed that the light triggered because of a bad sensor. The code would point to where, and it would be replaced. Reset the control unit, and the problem is gone. There are dozens of sensors today, and they're in a harsh environment, so they often fail. But sometimes they are fine and set off the light.
The rest of the time, the sensors show that there is a problem and a non-sensor part needs to be replaced.
The most important thing is to not panic. If the car starts to run badly, don't drive it, call roadside assistance. If it runs fine, it might have been a momentary disruption of voltage, and the light comes on. The thing to do is find the code, and turn the MIL off. If it happens again, then something needs to be done. It could be a vacuum line pinching or leaking, an O2 sensor, or a hundred other things.
If you throw a code, drop by an Autozone store and they will be happy to plug an appropriate code reader into your car. There really isn't any reason for the average owner to invest in one. Get the code, and have them reset the light. They don't charge a thing for doing it. If the light comes on again, then you should make an appointment with the dealer. But on a modern new car, it isn't uncommon that it doesn't come back.
What would help the community the most is to get the list of codes specific to the fortwo, and if people see them, post them on the forum so we can see what is happening. Some of them may be quirky things, and others may be things that will be cured by a running change in production, and our cars will get retrofits. Others may be nothing at all.
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