ES.P. light on?

[drjoe]

I had a similar problem after going out this evening, although it began with the car refusing to start. After several tries, I heard a sound from the engine compartment like a starter solenoid and, after a few more tries, it fired up and ran perfectly. Following this, the ESP light stayed on during the 1/2 hr ride home. After stopping and restarting the car, the light stayed off. Any similar experience out there ? I can't explain the connection between the starting problem and the ESP other than an electrical gremlin. Thanks for any input.

[fortow]

This is just another one of those "smart" things that the smart engineers installed as standard equipment in smart cars - smart eh?

It's quite possible that the rain caused the malfunction - it has in my car - ABS and hill hold features were disabled for a short time - happened several times. Just like door locks not functioning then later deciding to work, that will happen with this as well. - all unpredictable, keeping smart drivers on their toes, and smart dealerships happy.
It can't be all bad, can it?

[BigWarpGuy]

I took my little car to Smart Center Edison this morning. They have a really nice service center.

They found out it was the sensor on the steering wheel that was faulty. They replaced it and it was no charge to me. I also had they upgrade the software to 2.0. They also washed my little car too. There was no charge to me at all. Since it was less than two years old, it was still under warranty(?).

[Kermit]

Originally Posted by BigWarpGuy

I took my little car to Smart Center Edison this morning. They have a really nice service center.

They found out it was the sensor on the steering wheel that was faulty. They replaced it and it was no charge to me. I also had they upgrade the software to 2.0. They also washed my little car too. There was no charge to me at all. Since it was less than two years old, it was still under warranty(?).

OK, tell us how many miles are on your car. Don't keep a secret.

[BigWarpGuy]

My car has a little over 8,000 miles on it. I usually drive it to and from work and it is not far from where I live; 15 miles round trip.

[Kermit]

They had the part in stock? Wow! Then that is great. 8k miles, should of been replaced for free. If my problem becomes commonplace I now know where to look. Thanks.

My dad's dealer he bought his car from had sent a threat email telling him if he didn't get his 2.0 done the car would not be covered for any faults under warranty.

[fortow]

Originally Posted by BigWarpGuy

I took my little car to Smart Center Edison this morning. They have a really nice service center.

They found out it was the sensor on the steering wheel that was faulty. They replaced it and it was no charge to me. I also had they upgrade the software to 2.0. They also washed my little car too. There was no charge to me at all. Since it was less than two years old, it was still under warranty(?).

The skeptic in me says that dealerships don't have a clue either as to what is happening with all these quirks. They just replace anything that seems likely and presto-change-O, the problem is gone. It probably would have gone away by itself eventually anyway - but who knows?

[fortow]

Originally Posted by Bum-bling-B

...My dad's dealer he bought his car from had sent a threat email telling him if he didn't get his 2.0 done the car would not be covered for any faults under warranty.

Now dealerships are threatening owners to bring cars in for service. eh?

Dealerships don't determine warranty issues, they need to adhere to factory discretion just as do owners regarding warranty. If that policy came from the factory your dad wouldn't have received email informing him of it. Instead, all owners of 2008 smarts would have received an official letter informing them of that policy. Maybe your dad should forward that email to the factory or regional rep and see what transpires.

[Kermit]

Originally Posted by fortow

Now dealerships are threatening owners to bring cars in for service. eh?

Dealerships don't determine warranty issues, they need to adhere to factory discretion just as do owners regarding warranty. If that policy came from the factory your dad wouldn't have received email informing him of it. Instead, all owners of 2008 smarts would have received an official letter informing them of that policy. Maybe your dad should forward that email to the factory or regional rep and see what transpires.

That's why we chose to ignore it.....that and we had the update done at another dealer on his car and one of my cars.

[BigWarpGuy]

They did not charge me for anything. When I got back my little car, there was a new manual in it. It had a print date of 09-20008. I only thumbed through it but it seemed like the older one I have.

I really like the service center at Smart Center Edison.