Smart car stopped starting

[justforfun]

Gee car started right up, shut it off and nothing, Full 12 volts, Shifter is not stuck, the shift indicator shows the correct gear but no engine start, doesn't turn over, think it has something to do with the transmission shifter or immobiler ( The alarm works) Any ideas?

[speedracer]

I would try starting in each gear position.(make sure nothing is around you for safty reasons).Disconect battery and reconect. Check paddle shifters.After that I would go itto the floor shifter boot area and look around. I know ours had a problem the shifter light fell out of place but still light up the gear selector had to remove and clip the led board back in.
Those are my starting points hope it helps.

[a2jack]

You didn't say if you had panel light-up or headlights, but the first place to look is probably the the battery terminals or ground. Might save you a tow in to the dealer. A2Jack.

[John_H]

Did you try your second key?
I like the idea of disconnecting the battery for a couple minutes.

[jimvw57]

Try the other key or replace the key fob battery(??) make sure car battery is fully charged.

[justforfun]

Disconnecting the battery didn't help, resetting the alarm no good, moving the shifter didn't work. 2nd key didn't work. head lights nice and bright. What happens is I put the key in the switch, turn key, hear click from mass air box and another click from what I think is the fuel pump, from the lower part of drivers dash I hear what sounds like a relay clicking, But nothing happens. All looks/sounds good to go but the engine doesn't spin. After maybe 10 seconds some of the warning lights go out ( Battery light and a few others still on) Power is getting to the things like the mass air box, But something is stopping the engine from turning over. Bad Brake switch? I'm going to have the dealer get it. Its in the garage ( Great place to get stuck) Its at most a sunny day car used 2x a month so I can wait for the repair. Would I be this "low key" if I got stuck somewere other then my Driveway...HELL NO.. I do think the shifter is the problem. Hate when I can't figure something out.

[Black-ohio-brabus]

Is it an 2008 or 2009?

[chieftmc]

justforfun

about your unfortunate problem.

Let us know what the final outcome is

Hope it's an easy fix

[mvaldes]

In case it is your brake switch, on another thread someone mentioned that the tow truck driver STOMPED HARD on the brake pedal a few times and got it going. Worth a try.

[lilsmart]

Justforfun,
The same thing happened to me just today.I parked in the parking lot at the golf course and when it was time to head home the car did the same exact thing you described. I tried turning the key several times and nothing. After scratching my head for a while (first time this has ever happened) I turned the key on, pumped the brake hard and moved the shifter to drive and then to park. I then turned the key to off and then tried starting it. Well what do you know, it started right up. When I got home I could not get it to do it again. Still don't have any idea what the problem was. So far the car has been flawless going on 17000 miles.