Gear Knob Button STUCK!!

sixcrows · 03-16-2008, 05:51 PM

Yesterday, I noticed some difficulty shifting from Drive to Park when I got home from work. It felt like the button on the shift knob didn't want to press in. It DID engage, so I thought nothing of it.

Today, I headed over to the house of a fellow smart owner nearby to see a very nice bracket setup he's devised to mount his scangauge.

Once there, I was unable to BUDGE the gear shift lever. The button was completely locked in place and was going nowhere. (Yes, I had my foot on the brake pedal).

We were feeling adventurous, so we managed to coax off the housing surrounding the gear shift and pop off a few metal clips. We got squeamish about going any further, however, and put it all back together again.

I started it up and used a hard slap with the palm of my hand to engage the button, just so I could drive it home. I have heard that this is a common problem. Obviously, it is headed back to the dealer tomorrow.

I am curious to hear from other owners who have had this problem, and even more curious to hear about what the resolution may have been for them.

Thanks for any information.

Walt

sixcrows · 03-16-2008, 08:31 PM

Oh, boy.
I just found the original thread involving this issue.
I hope I can get quicker satisfaction than many of the other owners who suffered this problem.

**JPaul** · 03-16-2008, 09:17 PM

Would it be presumptuous to expect that, by now, the folks at the shop are sort of used to fix this up? They should!

sixcrows · 03-17-2008, 08:02 AM

My dealer is sending a flatbed to pick up the car today. He says they MIGHT be able to have it repaired today. If not, they will send out a loaner to me.

So far, so good. I hope the repair won't be long.

jonnysan · 03-17-2008, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPaul

Would it be presumptuous to expect that, by now, the folks at the shop are sort of used to fix this up? They should!

So no learning curve....this is the first such failure on any of their cars and make no mistake, JPaul, they will deal with this problem and the customer in the most professional manner. Keeler (smart of Latham) is TOP SHELF!

(No I don't work for them....

) I just like to tell it like it is...especially when some dealers these days can be somewhat shaddy with their practices and this dealer does not deserve being put into that kind of category.

John

sixcrows · 03-17-2008, 05:33 PM

The car was repaired by 3PM. Apparently there was a bad screw inside the head of the shifter itself. Who knows? It works again, and I was happy with the swift pickup of my vehicle from my job site. Plus, they gave it a wash.

jonnysan · 03-17-2008, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixcrows

The car was repaired by 3PM. Apparently there was a bad screw inside the head of the shifter itself. Who knows? It works again, and I was happy with the swift pickup of my vehicle from my job site. Plus, they gave it a wash.

Sixcrows.....I want to know how they got that knob off....

\

Inquiring minds want to know.....

John

**JPaul** · 03-17-2008, 05:38 PM

Who has the loose screw?
Glad it turned out fine!

Amethyste · 03-17-2008, 06:25 PM

I have the loose screw ( hehe couldn't resist )
Yay! That was great Customer service!

drew55 · 03-18-2008, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixcrows

Yesterday, I noticed some difficulty shifting from Drive to Park when I got home from work. It felt like the button on the shift knob didn't want to press in. It DID engage, so I thought nothing of it.

Today, I headed over to the house of a fellow smart owner nearby to see a very nice bracket setup he's devised to mount his scangauge.

Once there, I was unable to BUDGE the gear shift lever. The button was completely locked in place and was going nowhere. (Yes, I had my foot on the brake pedal).

We were feeling adventurous, so we managed to coax off the housing surrounding the gear shift and pop off a few metal clips. We got squeamish about going any further, however, and put it all back together again.

I started it up and used a hard slap with the palm of my hand to engage the button, just so I could drive it home. I have heard that this is a common problem. Obviously, it is headed back to the dealer tomorrow.

I am curious to hear from other owners who have had this problem, and even more curious to hear about what the resolution may have been for them.

Thanks for any information.

Walt

I had that happen to me-button wouldn't depress and I couldn't get the key out. I drove to Smart Center Bloomfield and they replaced the entire shift console. I was out of there in an hour and a half-not too bad. Looks to me like you need to baby the shifter-entire thing is made of plastic.