My Car Won't Start! [3 lines thru "P"] - Page 5 - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

UNTODDLY · 06-02-2008, 07:36 AM

Like I previously stated, I love my Smart! I hate the experience that I went through with it breaking down. I just got my car back today. I would love to keep the car and plan on it as long as it doesn't leave me and my family stranded again. It's really up to the car at this point.

mvukovich · 06-05-2008, 07:35 AM

Dealership still has my car , it's been a week. They can keep it another month as far as I am concern. I don't have a lot of faith in there 3 bar fix.

Broken Kid · 06-05-2008, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mvukovich

Dealership still has my car , it's been a week. They can keep it another month as far as I am concern. I don't have a lot of faith in there 3 bar fix.

I think their fix is fine, at least in my case. All of the shifting problems have stemmed from the shifting mechanism, and replacing the whole thing should resolve the issue. Since I got mine back, it's been shifting fine!

85mpg · 06-07-2008, 02:13 AM

That happened to me last month @ about 700 miles as my system showed a "key lock symbol" on the dashboard. I couldn't turn over the engine on at all and I was going crazy in my head. I have a 450 model 2006 Smart. BUT still NEW to me and new with only 700 miles. I was just hours away from calling Germantown Smart dealer to tow my Smart there and figure out what had happened. But just in time I finally fixed it with disconnecting the battery and reseting the system yeah. Now I know and feel that my Smart is a Great car and no where close to a Lemon.

mvukovich · 06-07-2008, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broken Kid

I think their fix is fine, at least in my case. All of the shifting problems have stemmed from the shifting mechanism, and replacing the whole thing should resolve the issue. Since I got mine back, it's been shifting fine!

We got are car back yesterday from the dealer using a flatbed tow truck. It's nice to have her back again, I spend 3 times the amount in fuel cost for a week with the loaner. I agree with broken kid the cars seems to shift better with the new shifting mechanism. Very satisfy with the dealer fixing the car, setting up a loaner and the towing to and from.

jmcummings · 06-13-2008, 11:01 PM

Add me to the list folks, 279 miles on the car, 7:20 AM, 3 bars no good, on the tow truck 2.5 hors later and fixed that day, which was excellent - thanks smartcenter sanjose.

Could not get this last night, got it tonight and shifting seems much smoother / better.

I think there must be a bad batch of parts out there, but not enough to issue a recall.

SuperGeek · 06-13-2008, 11:12 PM

What's the manufacture date of your cars? On the driver's door panel I see a date 02/08 which I think is the right date. Do I have the right spot?

mvukovich · 06-14-2008, 05:02 AM

Mine has a date of 12/07. We got our Smart back last night at 10:30 pm. Second break down for our car this month.

thomasz · 06-16-2008, 02:27 AM

Style and speed is good, I Would cooperate with you.

SmartMama · 07-17-2008, 01:42 PM

Last night was our turn for the shifter problem @ 650 miles. We have only had the car for 2 1/2 weeks and it still has its temporary tags.

Just as someone else above experienced, it happened after I had driven it several times during the day and then stopped for gas. After the fill-up, it just wouldn't start; those mysterious three lines appeared on the readout on the dash. After the "1-800-smartcar" guy put us through stepping on the break and moving the gear shift through each of the gears slowly two or three times, he decided he'd better send the tow. The tow truck came within an hour and dropped us back off at our house on his way to take our Baby to the tow truck lot overnight. Fortunately we were only about 2 miles from home. The tow truck driver said it would be delivered to the dealer this morning.

I called around 1 pm to see if it had been delivered as promised, and the manager did not even know whether it was there or not. He called me right back and said it was up on the lift and that they'd call me when it was fixed. I mentioned that the "1-800-smartcar guy" said that if the dealer didn't stock that part that it could take a couple of weeks, and he assured me that they stock parts. I surely hope he is right!

I had not read this forum page until just now -- how frustrating that so many of us are having the same problem! I feel as if I'd better read all of the forums so I am prepared if there is an easy fix to a problem some day! I almost feel that the dealers should hand out warning notices with instructions for problems that have occurred in multiple cars! Did I hear someone say "design defect?" I guess it wouldn't be "smart" to acknowledge such a thing -- not only might it be bad PR, it could have legal ramifications. Thank heavens for the internet so that we can share our experiences!