My Car Won't Start! [3 lines thru "P"]

[Broken Kid]

Originally Posted by SuperGeek

Did you arrange the tow through the smart 800 #? I think I've read that they're better equipped to do a two-way tow, and the individual dealer would not typically volunteer what could be a $500 tow fee. I've been told by my own dealer and read here that by calling the 800 # they'll do a two-way tow if at all possible. I'm hoping it's just that you haven't talked to the right person.

I called them originally, and they set up the original tow. I didn't think to call them back and see if they can arrange the tow back to my home. That would have been a good idea.

Oh well, they offered to send someone out to pick me up and bring me back to the dealership. I guess I prefer that to some kid driving my car from Buffalo to Rochester, which was the other option the service guy suggested.

[artist]

Tomorrow it will be one week since tow-in. Dealer told me today they don't know when shifter part will arrive. Someday I'll get my car back.

[mvukovich]

I had the same problem tonight with my Smart car 5/29/08. We stop at the gas station and fill the car up and the car would not start. 3 bars were being shown were the P for park should have been, 4,500 miles on the car. We try the couple of tricks on this site to re-teach the car but they did not work. We live over 200 miles, a 4 hour trip to the dealership. We call the 1-800 number to set up a tow and the The Minnesota Smart dealership to arrange for a rental car, we were 30 miles from home. Since we do not have a rental car dealer in town the Smart car folks rented a used car from a Dodge dealer for us. The tow truck came out of Spooner which is about a hour outside of Hayward. So all in all so far it has not been that bad of a ordeal. We waited a hour for the tow truck and pick up the rental car at the same time. When will we get the car back and how will it be return is another chapter.

[Broken Kid]

So I got my car back today. Not a bad turn-around - they towed it in Tuesday afternoon, and it was done Wednesday night. Someone came from Buffalo to Rochester to pick me up and take me to the dealership in Buffalo, which was nice but I think the minimum they should do.

I have to say, the shifting feels better. Before, I sometimes missed the gear, especially when shifting into Reverse, and I put it aside to hasty shifting. Now, it fits into gear much more satisfyingly. I hope the problem doesn't resurface.

I hope other folks with this problem don't have to wait too long!!!

[mvukovich]

"Broken Kid" did they tell you how they fix your car, replacement parts? Thanks good luck with you and your car.

[SuperGeek]

I'm curious, Broken Kid and others with shifter problems... when did you pick yours up? Mine was delivered to dealer and I got the pickup call on 3/29/08, and their service manager said he hadn't heard of a shifter problem. I haven't had any problems in 970 miles, but wonder if maybe cars sent over before a certain date are more likely to have the problem and they fixed it on the manufacturing lines.

[Broken Kid]

They replaced the shifter mechanism - the whole device, I guess. Seems to be ok so far!

I picked up my car on 5/20 and had it for one week, 300 miles before this happened.

[mvukovich]

Thanks for letting us know, I had mine since 2/14/08 4,500 miles on it. The only other problem i had was the engine light comes on each and every time I add fuel to the car. When I get the car back I'll report back. Thanks.........

[UNTODDLY]

just had mine towed in. i have owned this car 1 week and it has had something break on it 3 times... i'm really trying noT to hate this car but i'm starting to think it is a rolling abortion!!! one more break down and i will put it in the paper. they are bringing $5k over sticker in my area... at least i'll make some money on the deal.

tc

[jwight]

UNTODDLY, sorry to hear that. Are you at the point of taking "lemon law" action yet? Would not hurt to start pinging smart USA and PAG in Detroit to let them know what's happening with your car. All the buzz on these cars is word-of-mouth, and your (and similar) experiences can only hurt smart's reputation unless corrected ASAP.