Dave, thanks. Had my Smart car for over a year, call her Big Bed, The shifter problem started three days ago. Tonight it just froze up. I used one of the rubber grip wrenches. I tried counter clockwise with no results. Heard a click though. I then went clock wise and the shifter pulled up and came off. I applied some reel lube that I use on my 1911 rails called "hot sauce". I also had some trouble putting it back together. The collar seams to be part of the protective disc and repositioned it back to where it was clear of wear marks. Seams to work like new.
The pictures seem to indicate that the gearshift is in park rather than neutral. And on my smart, there doesn't appear to be a plastic collar under the knob - only the plastic piece (attached to the ball) as depicted below the screwdriver in the third picture. What am I missing
You're not missing anything !
That "plastic piece" is the one you turn 1/4 turn to "unlock" the knob (yes it is 1 piece with the ball)
Hi All, anyone know why i can not obtain reverse on my smart 2 model, it works sometimes but not when i need it!
If you're lucky, you may just need to lube the shifter. Mine ('08) got a bit diffficult to get into reverse at about 4200 miles. Lubed the shifter as described in this thread and it's been fine ever since (another 6000 + miles.)
Thanks for the simple fix. My car occassionally will not go into park, but it will shift between R, N & D. I turn off the switch (but can't get the key out), then crank the engine again and then it will go into Park. Also, occassionally, after turning off the switch, I have heard beeping and noticed the seat-belt warning flashing. I turn the switch back on (but don't have to crank the engine), and turn it off again and all seems OK.
Both issues are very intermittent, and I doubt that they would occur for the mechanic if I take time off work and drive my Smart Car 50 miles to Riverside for him to look at it. Do you have any more tips on what might be going on.
Also, I was wondering if the minor repair you suggested would have any negative impact on the vehicle warranty. The guy on the Smart Car assistance line told me that my warranty would be void if someone other than the dealer changed my oil. I've never heard of such a thing. BTW, I purchased the car used at a Chrysler dealer and they told me that they changed the oil shortly before I purchased it.
I tried this and it just made matters worse. Before, I had trouble getting it into Park - It would only shift between R, N & D, but eventually it would go into Park after turning off the switch and turning it back on again. After attempting to remove the shift knob (which would not come off), it is now permanently stuck in Park and will not shift at all. Called Smart Car and they are sending out a tow truck from Riverside 50 - 60 miles away.
Don't know how I'll go to work tomorrow. Until the dealer is open, can't find out if they will pay for a rental, or how long the repair will take, or if they will return the car to me after it is repaired.
Jmaxwell, that's a sad story. I hope it has a happy ending, but I'd be wary of any dealer that tell you that changing your own oil voids the warranty...Lord knows what other lies he/she may throw your way.
Unfortunately, my understanding is that it's a one way tow and you have to find a way to go to them to collect your baby.
Please let us know what they find and how it goes.
Best of luck to you!
My goodness, I hope my new 09 doesn't go this rout. With me driving its not a problem , but when "She who must be obeyed" is out driving, it would be a disaster. And all this because the factory has problems translating horizontal motion to vertical ? From what I've read the lube job may or may not fix it completely. I think at the first sign of this problem I might just drill a hole in the top of the shifter ball and add a rod etc, to act directly on the T underneath.
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Red Pearl
RV
The White Knight
(yes it is 1 piece with the ball)
tmater
Today
Linear Mode
