Check Engine Light - Page 8

robotbill · 05-13-2008, 01:09 PM

Well as luck would have it I got another check engine light today 12 May. The first one was back in April after about 450 miles and it was a loose wire. Today the manager stated something about a valve yada yada...but get this he didn't have the part and it wouldn't be in until early June. He reset the computer and noted that it might come on again but it was actually ok. I now have 1385 miles it is running fine so we'll see what happens.

SmrtyPants · 05-13-2008, 02:11 PM

I can't say enough about the service I received from Smart in Devon, PA. I dealt with Maggie there - what a sweetheart!

My engine light came on for the second time and I called Smart 800's number. I live roughly one hour from the dearlership. Smart offered to flatbed my car from my work. The mechanic did the repair while the tow trucker driver waited. How sweet is that.

It saved Smart's tow trucker driver a round trip. By the time he would have left - he would have turned around to pick up my smrty pants.

I am happy the way they handled my situation.

So if your check light comes on and you live far from the dealership - let Smart have you towed and hopefully they will tow it back as well.

Actually, the 800 number operator that I spoke with offered the return trip. So they have the capability to do this for you.

Good luck.

Denise

SuperGeek · 05-13-2008, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lborg

Two weeks ago my EML went on....I called our Smart Car dealer and was told to make sure the gas cap was on tight...it was...they then suggested waiting until I had to refill the gas tank and see if the light remained on...it did.

I then called the dealer and was told that if the car was running properly I should wait a while more through several tanks of gas...later the same day I spoke with an other service provider who suggested bringing the car in for a computer check. I will do that even though the dealer is 23 miles from SLC, Utah.

The access to service could be a major issue in the convenience of having a Smart Car.

Also, I am only getting 30 mpg around town...is it me or the car?

Any Autozone will be able to plug in a code scanner to determine what fault codes are set, then you can relay that to the dealer who will tell you how serious the computer believes the problem is. It could be as simple as a loose gas cap, or a hundred other things. If you're that far from service, you might benefit from purchasing a code scanner. A lot of us on this forum use the "ScanGauge II" to watch for codes and monitor fuel economy. I've used it and learned enough to improve my city mileage from 27mpg to over 40mpg just by adjusting my driving habits a little. It's about $160 in most places, but a simple code scanner can be found for under $50, or you can get your basic Autozone/NAPA to scan it for free.

30mpg is most likely your own driving habits and the hills/mountains around SLC. The smart is sensitive to hills and will groan to get uphill in a high gear, but you get better mileage uphill in 5th than in 4th. Even if it groans a little, it still can conquer most hills. After 3,500 RPMs the fuel economy drops pretty fast. I was able to get 44mpg highway (first tank, normal driving @ 65mph) and 43mpg city on a 6 mile trip to work (aiming for max economy). The car's capable of either high mileage or fast pickup; it's the driver's choice how hard to hit that pedal. Give it time and you'll learn how to get the most out of it.

Of course, if that EML means it's running in open loop mode due to emissions failure or other symptom, your MPG will be really low. Get someone to scan it.

EdwardDennis · 05-13-2008, 06:23 PM

My check engine light came on this morning at 270 miles. Drove to dealership and left car. Picked up car later in the day.

Per service order:.. " P0410 Fault Secondary Air System Faulty... Checked the operation of the air pump and it was receiving power and operating properly. With the air pump in good condition then per tech line I replace the switch over valve for the sec air system...cleared the fault and let the vehicle run to ensure the check engine light did not return."

wdw412 · 05-13-2008, 09:07 PM

Took delivery of my smart last Thursday, left work today and after about 1/2 mile the check engine light came on. I called MB Smart Center of Knoxville and talked to service. I was told that it possibly could be the gas cap not on tight. I told them I don't think so as I had been driving on that tank since Saturday and only had 1 gallon in it and was on my to the gas station.
She told me to bring it in and I reminded her that I lived 200 miles away. She said as long as it was driving ok that it wouldn't hurt anything and if it didn't go off by Thursday for me to call 800 smart usa so it could be flat bed towed to Knoxville.
My dilemma is that I am leaving for the beach on early Saturday morning. So trying to schedule the return of my smart when I return on the 24th could be tricky.
Any of you smart owners out there with suggestions?

Thanks,
Bill

EdwardDennis · 05-13-2008, 09:50 PM

..." and if it didn't go off by Thursday for me to call 800 smart usa so it could be flat bed towed to Knoxville."

You do what you'd like, but I'd be on the phone for a flatbed to take it to the dealer. The "loose gas cap" babble apparently isn't the issue here**and it wasn't with my car. I'd bet you're going to show a P0410 code, which requires parts replacement. They should be able to get it back to you same day.

mvukovich · 05-14-2008, 04:04 AM

Every time I fill up I am getting a P2422. I'm waiting until I am in the dealers area before taking it in.

wdw412 · 05-14-2008, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdwardDennis

..." and if it didn't go off by Thursday for me to call 800 smart usa so it could be flat bed towed to Knoxville."

You do what you'd like, but I'd be on the phone for a flatbed to take it to the dealer. The "loose gas cap" babble apparently isn't the issue here**and it wasn't with my car. I'd bet you're going to show a P0410 code, which requires parts replacement. They should be able to get it back to you same day.

The "loose gas cap" babble I don't fall for either, but I was told as long as it was not driving any different that it would not hurt to drive it. Like I said I live 200 miles from the dealer, so as far as me getting it there and back in one day is very unlikely, also your bet of a P0410 code may be or not correct. Reading all of the other post in this thread there are other issues than the P0410 code as was your problem, so my repair could be more than an in and out service. So that is my concern since I will be leaving for a week at the beach Saturday morning.

BTW, I will do what I like, as you did what you like.

Bill

robotbill · 05-14-2008, 05:45 AM

I live 12 miles from my dealer so I'm not worried about tow service besides it is running. What is more interesting is how long is smart going to put up with "free" replacement of the part. This has got to be pissin' them off.

randyzimmer · 05-14-2008, 07:57 AM

(SCOA site is timing out and running at a crawl)

"...What is more interesting is how long is smart going to put up with "free" replacement of the part. This has got to be pissin' them off."

Don't worry about smart, they bought it from the lowest bidder and have a contract where the supplier eats the failures. That's who's in pain right now. They'll probably go to court over how smart mounted the part in a position it was never intended to be used in or supplied the wrong specs for use or something like that. But as an emissions deal, the EPA will be watching and make sure its fixed.
I got my P0410 Sunday and cleared it so I'll make sure my dealer has the valve in stock for when mine reappears.