Car won't start - Thoughts?

[jrfuisz]

I'm hoping there is something stupid I am not doing. Had the car for several months now. Key in, foot on brake, etc. and when I turn it I get three lines across the dash and a click. Lights, radio etc all work. I can't imagine it is a dead battery. I have a call into the dealer.

If any one has had a similar experience, let me know.

[kannonvaggon]

Check first to be sure the shifter isn't " between " gears ? Sounds like the neutral switch isn't operated OR ya gots a boo-boo ....

just a thunk

Let us know what the deal was.

[Teresa]

I know a lady in a nearby town that let me come take a look at her smart before I reserved one and she told me that this was her only complaint so far with the car. She said she just came out to go somewhere one day and it wouldn't start. She thinks it's the battery too, so now she says that she makes sure that she starts it every day whether she's going somewhere or not and has no problems. It doesn't sound to me like the battery though especially when I'm hearing similar complaints ocassionally. If you find out what it is, can you please post??

[dennyrex]

the first time I drove a pedaless manual was a rented renault Twingo in France. One time I came back to the car after visiting Erik Satie's old neighborhood and tried to start the car and nothing happened; same as you, lights, camera, no action.
After trying everything, I discovered that I had not activated the alarm upon exiting the vehicle and when I came back to it didn't re-activate it somehow. As I recall, locking and unlocking (activating/deactivating) the alarm thingy on the key did the trick.
Have no idea if this is at all involved, but thought it was worth a shot.

[jwight]

Nice to have an owners manual now:

3 bars are displayed if there is a malfunction in the shifting system or when the transmission is taught in (see pg 134)

Have the system checked by an authorized smart center

You can find the full manual under Helpful Links on the left side of the page.

[deaconpark]

Originally Posted by Teresa

I know a lady in a nearby town that let me come take a look at her smart before I reserved one and she told me that this was her only complaint so far with the car. She said she just came out to go somewhere one day and it wouldn't start. She thinks it's the battery too, so now she says that she makes sure that she starts it every day whether she's going somewhere or not and has no problems. It doesn't sound to me like the battery though especially when I'm hearing similar complaints ocassionally. If you find out what it is, can you please post??

I start mine every hour.... whether I am going somewhere or not!!! I can't even imagine not getting in my Maxxwell everyday! I think I am definately hooked!
Russ

[JPaul]

Check also this possible cause: an obstacle to the key security sensor.
I.e.
http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/for...81&postcount=8

[jonnysan]

Originally Posted by jrfuisz

I'm hoping there is something stupid I am not doing. Had the car for several months now. Key in, foot on brake, etc. and when I turn it I get three lines across the dash and a click. Lights, radio etc all work. I can't imagine it is a dead battery. I have a call into the dealer.

If any one has had a similar experience, let me know.

But I'll be damned if I can remember what the fix was....and it was a very simple one, too, as I recall. I also recall it to be an old post...like maybe back in Dec or Jan....sorry...can't remember any more details.
Try searching for "3 lines through "P" or something like that.
Damn it ****I need to write things down .....
At the very worst, I would try unhooking the positive battery terminal, leaving it off for 10 minutes, resetting the electronics memory, and then reconnect the battery.

[bradgarbus]

I REMEMBER!

Open and re-close the tailgate. My local dealer had the same issue!!! If it's not closed correctly the car wont start...

If I remember right...

[bradgarbus]

Originally Posted by bradgarbus

I REMEMBER!

Open and re-close the tailgate. My local dealer had the same issue!!! If it's not closed correctly the car wont start...

If I remember right...

Let us know if this works... We are bound to see this again...