Disconnected battery - won't start! - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

graphix1998 · 07-24-2008, 10:00 PM

I disconnected my battery, and upon re-connection, the car will not start!!! HELP!?!?!??

SuperGeek · 07-24-2008, 10:21 PM

I hate to ask this, but did you follow proper procedure per the manual? It specifically says if you don't reconnect cables in the right sequence you can fry the ECU.

graphix1998 · 07-24-2008, 10:29 PM

I called the 800-SMART-USA and they had me re-program the car (very easy) and now everything is great. Gotta love the customer service...

SuperGeek · 07-24-2008, 10:32 PM

ok, now I'm intrigued... what procedure did they tell you to use?

graphix1998 · 07-24-2008, 11:18 PM

1. Push down and hold in brake
2. turn key to on (#1 position)
3. shift from P-R-N-D then manual mode (+/-) then back to D-N-R-P
4. turn key off
5. start car

I could hear movement in the engine compartment (going through the gears) and it worked. The CSR said that if you shut down the car and it isn't in P completely, then upon restart it won't work... this somehow reprograms the car electronically.

Hope this helps anyone else...

MichaelJ · 07-25-2008, 05:50 AM

At what point in this sequence do you release the brake?

**JPaul** · 07-25-2008, 06:53 AM

This thread has now been linked in the FAQs sticky folder...

Big Panda · 07-25-2008, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graphix1998

1. Push down and hold in brake
2. turn key to on (#1 position)
3. shift from P-R-N-D then manual mode (+/-) then back to D-N-R-P
4. turn key off
5. start car

I could hear movement in the engine compartment (going through the gears) and it worked. The CSR said that if you shut down the car and it isn't in P completely, then upon restart it won't work... this somehow reprograms the car electronically.

Hope this helps anyone else...

GREAT INFO!!! thanks for posting that. it may help others......

a2jack · 07-25-2008, 08:04 AM

Graphix. Valuable post, Thankx.

A2Jack

orngandblack · 07-25-2008, 08:34 AM

I could hear movement in the engine compartment (going through the gears) and it worked. The CSR said that if you shut down the car and it isn't in P completely, then upon restart it won't work... this somehow reprograms the car electronically.

fyi,
Don't know if this means completely in any gear or just park, but I gotta tell ya that since I am use to driving a stick, I have on several occasions shut of my smart without putting it in park at all and have never had an issue with it not starting the next time.