Brake Lights & Fuse

[Old SGM]

After 800 trouble free miles, I noticed the brake lights did not work. I checked the owner's manual, there are 35 fuses, but the owner's manual only lists 20. I called the 1-800 number, the guy was very helpful, but he also did not have a complete list of fuses. He called back about 15 minutes later and told me the brake lights were on Fuse 34. That fuse is on the back side of the panel. It looks like the panel would swing down, but it won't. Any way I got the panel down and fuse 34 was OK. I then decided to move the car so the tow truck could get to it easy, then I found it was stuck in Park and the ABS light was on. So I called the 1-800 number again. This was Saturday monrning, Smart scheduled a rollback to pick up the car first thing Monday and take it to the Dealer, which in 102 miles away one way. According to Smart, they will repair and bring the car back to my driveway. That saves me at a lease 200 mile trip.

The car being locked in Park, according to the 1-800 number, could be because of the ABS fault or what ever is causing the tail lights not to work.

When I get the repair slip I will let you all know what they said was wrong or what parts had to be replace.

At least it got stuck in my own driveway and not along I-95 in the middle of no place Virginia.

[Old smart]

Here is a list of the fuses missing in the NA OpInsts by number, circuit, amps, and fuse color. The list can be copied out of this posting and pasted into a text document; column-formatted; re-sized; and pasted (glued) on the blank page of the OpInst. Evilution has a very clear color photo of both sides of the fuse block with all the info.

# Circuit Amp Color
22 Low beam light, left 7.5A Brown
23 Low beam light, right 7.5A Brown
24 Brake lamp, rain/light sensor, combination switch left 15A Blue
25 High beam lights, left 7.5A Brown
26 High beam lights, right 7.5A Brown
27 Engine 7.5A Brown
28 Rear window heater (coupe only), engine cooling fan 40A Orange
29 Soft top (cabriolet only) 30A Green
30 Transmission 40A Orange
31 Horn, doors, central locking 20A Yellow
32 - -
33 Ignition 50A Red
34 esp 40A Orange
35 Power steering 30A Green
R1 Mirror heating 5A Lt. brown
R2 - -
R3 Backup fuse (ignition) -
R4 Backup fuse (ignition) -
R5 Backup fuse (batt. +) -
R6 Backup fuse (batt. +) -
R7 Backup fuse (batt. +) -
R8 Backup fuse (batt. +) -
R9 Seat heating 20A Yellow

For Old SGM: The brake light fuse is #24, not #34.

[Old SGM]

Thanks, I will now check fuse 24.

[Old SGM]

I just checked fuse 24, it is good but still no brake lights, maybe the brake lights are related to the ABS light being on or even the shifter locked in Park.

Tomorrow morning it goes back to the dealer.

When I was mowing the yard today, with the Smart sitting in my driveway broke, two different neighbors stopped and asked how I like the car, I didn't have the heart to tell them it broke down after only 800 miles. I sincerely hope this will be the one and only problem it gives me. It is disappointing at least......

[bull8042]

I would guess your problem is the brake switch. I have noticed when pushing my car around the garage, with the key in the ignition and on, it will NOT come out of Park without depressing the brake pedal first. If the fuse is good but still no lights, then I would say it is the switch on the pedal.

[Old SGM]

I just got the car back for the dealer. Initial diagnosis was bad brake light switch, took a day to get a new one, then found out that was not the problem.
Here is what the repair ticket said:
"Tech line advised checking fuse 18. Fuse 18 is good. Reviewed wiring diagram with tech line. Found fuse 38 (that controls the brake lamp switch) to be blown and that a 7.5 amp fuse was installed from the factory where a 15 amp fuse should have been present. Installed fuse. Cleared faults and test drove vehicle. Everything OK at this time. Case #DTAC1128."

Smart Car Center of Virginia Beach Service Dept and the Roadside service folks did a great job. Picked up the car at my house and after the repair returned it to my driveway. This was a new type of problem that apparently had not been encounter before. Electrical problems are hard to find, especially when no one has any experience with a new car. They kept me abreast of what was happening. I am totally satisfied with the quality of the service.