Stalling Problem

nytwodees · 07-04-2008, 01:59 PM

I have a new 2008 Smart Passion that has been in the dealership longer than I've had to drive it. The car has been towed on a flat bed truck for the last 2 Mondays.

The car began stalling unexpectantly. Pulling out of a parking space, the car stalled repeatedly 3 times. Each time, I would restart the car without a problem. As soon as I would move out, it would stall. After waiting about 1 minute, I restarted the car again and was able to begin my journey home. After about an hour drive, traveling at 20 to 25 mph, I drove over a dip in the road, and the car stalled again. I restarted the car and proceeded home (about 10 minutes away).

The car was towed to the dealer. They claimed that the problem was due to a loose ground wire. They drove my car for a "full" day and did not witness any stalling. They called me, telling me the car was fixed, so I picked it up and drove home. That was on a Saturday.

The 2nd incident occurred on Monday morning following that Saturday. Driving to work, 20 minutes from my home, the car stalled again, while traveling about 40 mph. The road was flat (no dips or bumps), the A/C was off, the radio was on, and my foot was on the accelerator, I coasted to the side of the road. The car starteded immediately, and I continued to drive to work. 5 minutes later the car stalled again. I restarted the car again and proceeded my drive to work (1 hour from 2nd stall) without incident. My 1-1/2 hour drive home from work also went withut incident,

The car was towed again to the dealer that night. I received a call from the dealer Wednesday that my car is ready for pick up. I asked what was wrong and was told that they couldn't find anything. They suggested that my leg might be hitting the ignition key (since I'm a wide body guy). I suggested that they change the ignition switch if that were the case. I said if my leg were hitting the ignition switch, my car would be stalling a lot more often. They went on to say, that it must be a "very special" way I'm hitting the ignition key that causes this problem intermittantly. Have you ever heard of such bull....!

Has anyone else been experiencing a stalling problem with their Smart car?

PS: It should be noted that when the car stalls, it does not sputter, but shuts off as if the key was turned off. Also the gauges go completely out.

scdaf · 07-04-2008, 02:16 PM

Sounds like the dealer is right...

RVGRINGO · 07-04-2008, 02:40 PM

We hear that obesity is a chronic problem in the USA and very hard to admit. So, there is a simple solution to the problem: bend a bit of flat steel in the form of a bridge over the key so that the ends rest on the carpeted hump. Glue on velcro to hold it to the carpet and thumb tacks pointed outward all the way around. If it hurts when you drive and the car doesn't stall, the dealer was right. If that is the case, eat less to save the starving Chinese. Oh, wait a minute! That was way back before WWII when we were all thin except for the ladies with goiters. My, how times have changed.

Dean Smith · 07-04-2008, 03:32 PM

RVGRINGO is on to something when he talks about covering the key. But I would try a pillow rather than thumb tacks.

nytwodees · 07-04-2008, 07:29 PM

I noticed that the comments focused on obesity. The focus should have been on stalling instead of inane fat remarks. Wouldn't my fat derriere cause stalling very often if that were the real cause? If you don't have a constructive comment, Isuggest you keep it to yourself instead of posting on this forum.

Smart Enuf · 07-04-2008, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nytwodees

I noticed that the comments focused on obesity. The focus should have been on stalling instead of inane fat remarks. Wouldn't my fat derriere cause stalling very often if that were the real cause? If you don't have a constructive comment, Isuggest you keep it to yourself instead of posting on this forum.

I agree; obesity is not the issue. Within a couple days of getting my smart, my car stalled during a couple hard left turns. I finally figured out that during the turn my right leg was hitting the card key attached to the caribiner that the smart key was on. The fact that I tend to drive with my legs a bit apart (I know, TMI) didn't help matters. But now that I know the cause, there is no problem! Case closed.

SuperGeek · 07-04-2008, 07:53 PM

Mine hasn't shut off, but I've bumped the key a couple of times just enough to feel it. I'm overly conscious of its position, because I'm 5'9" and 265lbs, so I'm closer to it than the average person. I would imagine if dees is bumping the key, then it would be obviously turned and a slight bump in the 'on' direction would bring it back to operation.

That said, the dealer's claim is a possible explanation and it would be a good idea to do a 'collision test' on the key. Instead of thumbtacks, either paint the key or otherwise make it so you can detect even a slight brush against the key next time this happens. i.e. if you put a plastic bag over it painted on the outside with an oil or somesuch, and you find that oil on your leg, then you know it's likely. And, while humiliating, it may be a design flaw that makes the smart hard to drive for larger people. I'd chalk that design decision into the 'bad' column, personally.

If there's proof of no contact the next time this happens, your car may have another problem. If the gauges shut off while you're driving, that's electrical - something cut off battery power. If there's no dimming of lights, the most likely cause is a loose battery cable or something related to the ignition switch.

ASmartMan · 07-04-2008, 07:57 PM

Smart Enuf

Does the same thing happen with both keys? I ask this because the keys have an RFID chip in them.

I'm not sure if the computer logic will turn off the motor if the signal loss, but it is something to think about.

Just a thought

ASM

Smart Enuf · 07-04-2008, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASmartMan

Smart Enuf

Does the same thing happen with both keys? I ask this because the keys have an RFID chip in them.

I'm not sure if the computer logic will turn off the motor if the signal loss, but it is something to think about.

Just a thought

ASM

I don't know. It hasn't been an issue since I figured out the problem. One thing I was thinking for the original poster is that evilution (I think) has a mod that separates the metal key part from the fob with the electronics but keeps them together on the same key ring. This would allow the fob to dangle off to the side and be less susceptible to bumping than having the key and fob together in one unit.

gstreetcomic · 07-04-2008, 08:07 PM

I agree with nytwodees on the last two posts directed at the remarks on his obesity. First off, there is a right way amd a wrong way to mention something about the issue and being a person who was once a fat himself, i can fully understand your irritablity over the innane fat remarks and how they would really tick you off. Now that i got that off my chest id like to say to RVGRINGO that your delivery and the way you said what you said was very uncalled for and the way you said it was indeed very tactless , especially if it may be the cause of the stalling issue, and i mean may be. You should ask the service techinican if there is a mod that can be done to avoid what is happpening as you drive the car as it may be yourself hitting the key as you mentioned, now the gauges going out at the same time sounds like it may be some issue they can't even find yet as it is a faliry new car. if i were you, id be getting the shops manager involved in the thing and soon. As far as the health thing, that is your call, but as far as the others please refrain from the fat remarks this is not the time or the place to do so.