engine compartment cover latch - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

roscoe · 07-22-2008, 06:04 AM

I was checking my oil & to reattach the engine compartment cover, the little turn button latch for the cover came out of its hole, won't seem to re engage to really snug engine cover down- is there a trick to this that I don't know?

**jwight** · 07-22-2008, 06:13 AM

No trick; just make sure you have the two slots on the rear of the cover lined up properly and the cover is back as far as it will go.

SmartCard · 07-22-2008, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwight

No trick; just make sure you have the two slots on the rear of the cover lined up properly and the cover is back as far as it will go.

what he said.....seems to be the most important factor in getting it to catch!

donnyonee · 07-22-2008, 06:41 AM

i thought itd be forward as far as itd go?

IcePlanet · 07-22-2008, 06:54 AM

I used pliers to help latch it. The two teeth on the nut can break off. The dealer has extras.

**JPaul** · 07-22-2008, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donnyonee

i thought itd be forward as far as itd go?

Indeed, push fore as much as possible, at a rather low angle. A bit like a wireless phone or a tv zapper battery cover (bigger though!).

SmartCard · 07-22-2008, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donnyonee

i thought itd be forward as far as itd go?

when you lift it open, the cover has a tendency to slide towards the rear of the car, disengaging from the tabs...so quite often its needs to be pushed back (forward to the front)

mfoster · 07-22-2008, 10:05 AM

Latching will become easier each time it is done.

roscoe · 07-23-2008, 06:57 AM

I guess I wasn't clear- the little turn button comes out of the hole, like its broken off something; can't get it to engage and stay attached to the rest of the structure when I reinsert it & turn. Will seem to start to engage but can't get it it to stay, it want to rotate back towards left and pops free- is it busted? I guess I'm not the most articulate poster...

**JPaul** · 07-23-2008, 07:16 AM

Just went down to look at it again.
The thread of the peg is such that it requires only 1/4 turn clockwise to latch. The peg seems to be made of soft alloy, prone to get worn - and its plastic D-ring broken - if the peg and the receiving hole are not aligned.
In your case, it sounds like the peg has gotten lose from the cover. Is it possible to re-insert the peg in the cover?