smart shuts off in left hand turns

[dancote]

Swerved the car hard left at between 25-30 MPH today and it shut off. Couldn't figure out what happened. The car is nearly full of gas, outside air temperature was 55F, car was warmed up, driving on a level road in automatic, headlights on, A/C off. Pulled over to the side of the road, put it in Park and re-started the car as normal.

Found a safe place to experiment and sure enough, it happened again twice in hard left turns. Doesn't happen in hard right turns.

Taking it in to smart center Seattle on Monday for troubleshooting.

[Smart Enuf]

I know this sounds silly, but you might want to check your right thigh hitting the ignition key during a sharp left turn. The centrifugal force during the turn could cause your thigh to hit it without you knowing it, and the key is very sensitive to touch. I've accidentally shut off the engine several times this way.

Note that this wouldn't happen during a sharp right turn, which is consistent with your observation.

[Dave777]

Let us know what they find. It's a curiosity, and Smart Enuf's suggestion is interesting.

[SmartCard]

Hamster falls out of the wheel on sharp left turns!

My initial thought was that turning the wheel hard left shorts out the ignition switch...but DUH - the key is down below!

Not having my smart yet, is one's leg that close to the key?
And wouldn't dancote noticed that the key was turned off upon restarting?

[mdfortwoguy]

Hmm, perhaps something with one of the yaw sensors for ESP that's triggering, and the ESP is a bit aggressive with throttle cutoff?

[MSUDVM]

I was driving down the road going around 45 on a straight section of road when the car suddenly died. Didn't know what was happening. Pulled off the road and restarted as normal and drove off. Very weird, just died!! Let me know what you find out. Also can you explain the esp and yaw? I have around 750 miles on it.

Dan

[MichaelJ]

Originally Posted by dancote

Swerved the car hard left at between 25-30 MPH today and it shut off.

No NASCAR racing for you! ;)

Let us know what you find out.

[Smart Enuf]

Originally Posted by Smart Enuf

I know this sounds silly, but you might want to check your right thigh hitting the ignition key during a sharp left turn. The centrifugal force during the turn could cause your thigh to hit it without you knowing it, and the key is very sensitive to touch. I've accidentally shut off the engine several times this way.

Note that this wouldn't happen during a sharp right turn, which is consistent with your observation.

Originally Posted by SmartCard

Hamster falls out of the wheel on sharp left turns!

My initial thought was that turning the wheel hard left shorts out the ignition switch...but DUH - the key is down below!

Not having my smart yet, is one's leg that close to the key?
And wouldn't dancote noticed that the key was turned off upon restarting?

Before you folks start imagining that I have the thunder thighs of a T-rex, I should clarify that I have a badge, key ring, and about 8 keys attached along with my smart fob. My leg was actually hitting the badge which, in turn, would twist the key enough to turn the engine off. I don't think my thighs are that big.

[a2jack]

Probably a false trail, but since it's easy to check, re-cycle the fuel pump cut off switch.

This switch is triggered by gravity loads (G's) and is located right in the boot of the car. Some times they can get touchy and just need to be cycled a couple of times to solidly reset.

Check your owners manual for exact location. A2Jack.

[jwight]

Could be; there's one on our Mini. Haven't been able to locate the reference in the Owner's Manual - what page? Thanks!