Am I the only one with a dead battery?

[WilyB]

My battery died for the 3rd time today. I do not drive my smart very much (about 1,500 miles since 02/2008) but I still use it often enough for short errands (like twice or thrice a week).

This summer, I was out of the country for two weeks and the battery was really flat.

Any of you experienced a dead battery?

Do you know the "group size" of the smart battery?

[Dave777]

Talk to the dealer? If I recall correctly, someone else had a similar issue and the battery was defective.

[kwagar]

I've had a similar problem, was gone on a two week vacation and returned and the dash lights would light but the engine would only turn over once and the battery was dead. I jump started it and have had no problems in the 10 days since but was dissapointed to have had the problem at all.

[Dunerunner]

Dave777 has a bead on the fix. At one time there was a batch of defective batteries. Talk to the dealer and they may replace it at no charge. If not, the phone call was free!! The parts manager should be able to give you all the specifications of the battery.

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by WilyB

... Do you know the "group size" of the smart battery?

Without pulling it out to get precise measurements, I make it to be BCI Group 26R. At any rate, it sounds like it needs a load test.

26 & 26R – 8-3/16”L x 6-13/16”W x 7-3/4”H

More research indicates that it is likely 26R (the difference between 26 and 26R is the location of the terminal posts). Also out are 57 and 70.

[randyzimmer]

Lights started to dim, had to jump it after sitting 2 days.
The dealer wasn't sure it was the fault of the car.
(I have extra stuff - non-smart)
The battery fixed it.

[WilyB]

Thank you all for your input.

I have a couple of non smart stuff in my car, such as a KENWOOD in-dash GPS and a localization device (help find the smart in big parking lots! ) but they draw minimal current.

Dealer was very helpful, has heard of some similar stories from other smart dealers (two weeks: your battery is dead) and will test the system tomorrow.

I shall keep the community posted.

[Karl Roth]

The dealer replaced mine when it died it was larger and required a new hold down. I would contact the dealer and let them correct the problem.
karl

[minibmw]

I was away for a couple of weeks as well and I had left my key in the ignition and the battery was dead. Used a starter pack to get it going again and no problems since then. I am thinking that leaving the key in the ignition over time has some strange effect on the battery. Now that I take it out each night, I have had no problems.

[Dave777]

Originally Posted by Karl Roth

The dealer replaced mine when it died it was larger and required a new hold down. I would contact the dealer and let them correct the problem.
karl

This strikes me as evidence, combined with some of the other reports above, that the dealers know there is a problem with the original batteries, or at least some of them.