Radio Display Light Turns Off........

[imcquade]

Hello All,

Well I just booked my smart in to see if they can fix the rattle in the drivers door as it has progressively got louder and is now driving me batty

However, I also asked about this little trick that my smart does, not that it bothers me or that I think it is a detrimental issue - but since Ray Catena in Edison will have the car it was worth a mention to them.

Here it is and it is odd - I tried to search to see if this had been mentioned before but did not find it - if someone did - sorry I wasted peoples time

When I start my smart - on pops the radio - this we know as it has been mentioned a few times.... the display is also illuminated.....

Now ready yourself for the wierdness.......

My radio stays illuminated until.......... are you ready......... until I SIGNAL LEFT... and pop off goes the illumination........

I first noticed one side of the car got dark one night a while ago but thought it was a reflection/shadow or such through the window and didn't actually notice the radio dim.

This happened a few times until I finally caught the display go dim out of the corner of my eye.....

Now I did some testing......

It only does this after you initially start the car and indicate LEFT for the first time.....

It doesn't do it when indictating RIGHT....

If I signal left and the display goes dark and I turn the radio back on subsequent LEFTS do NOT have the same effect......

If I start the car; and the radio pops on - and then I turn the radio of and back on.... now I can signal left all I want and the display stays lit......

It doesn't matter if I wait 1 second or a whole day..... signal left and pop goes the display...... and all is darkness

I would be interested if anyone else can reproduce this weirdness...

My smart is 100% untouched meaning I have not modified anything - so I didn't do it

Cheers All

[Smartfor2guy]

Originally Posted by imcquade

Hello All,

weirdness...

My smart is 100% untouched meaning I have not modified anything - so I didn't do it

Cheers All

I know , you were chewing gum and signaling left at the same time

Seriously, sounds like a ground problem somewhere.

[imcquade]

Anyone check their smart yet?

Would like to know if I am the only one

[donnyonee]

mine did the same thing. west covina mercedes replaced my radio and no problems since. have your service mgr contact service mgr at mercedes west covina calif. to verify. now it doesnt have the rediclous on feature either.

[Paul A]

Mind does the same thing, the dealer thought I was crazy, I did drive it there to show them the light was off, but couldn't get it to repeat while I was there. if you turn on the lights and back off it will stay on. The dealer offer to replace the radio, but they replaced the radio once before for another problem with a euro radio (came in by mistake). They can't get another euro one and I won't give this one up. This radio has fine tuning and will give you the song and artist if it is broadcasted. It also has a TA button which is for traffic alerts. Maybe someday they will broadcast that here.

[smartSEATTLE]

Had a vehicle in my shop here for a complaint much like this. Turned out to be a bad ground at the battery.

There were other complaints along with this one but the radio display turning off with the operation of the multifunction switch was a listed complaint.

No clue if that wil help but it is something very easy to check.

[jwight]

Originally Posted by Paul A

Mind does the same thing, the dealer thought I was crazy, I did drive it there to show them the light was off, but couldn't get it to repeat while I was there. if you turn on the lights and back off it will stay on. The dealer offer to replace the radio, but they replaced the radio once before for another problem with a euro radio (came in by mistake). They can't get another euro one and I won't give this one up. This radio has fine tuning and will give you the song and artist if it is broadcasted. It also has a TA button which is for traffic alerts. Maybe someday they will broadcast that here.

Paul, do you happen to have the part number for that radio?

[spdickey]

Originally Posted by jwight

Paul, do you happen to have the part number for that radio?

The Canadian spec 451s come with a Radio 10 RDS, you might try calling up north to see if a dealer there will sell you one. ************* - Canadian 2008 Smart Fortwo 451 all Models

[jimvw57]

My Expedition radoi has the title and artist display feature. I wouldn't mind having that in my Smart too. Haven't seen the left turn problem on my Pure with the 9 radio.

[Paul A]

I'll see if I can get the part number from the dealer, if not, I'll pull the radio and get it. I'll try to get it posted the first of next week.