Jammed Shifter

[jonwhite99]

Well it happerned to me.

My shifter started to play up on Friday lunchtime. I visited the dealer on the way home to see if they could take a look.

Unfortunatly I had to leave my Smart at the dealer, jammed in park in the middle of the service drive. Then I recieved a call from the dealer today saying that their service tech had not come in today so I will be without my car till at least Tuesday.

I suppose it was fortunate that the car died at the dealer.

Jonathan

[SanDiegoJohn]

The fix only took about 25 minutes ... odd they didn't have a MB mechanic look at it.

[SmartShanna]

Oh no! I had a real fun transmission issue yesterday: I backed out of my garage, put the stick into drive, and no go. Lots of engine revs as if I was in neutral, so I did the obvious--checked to see if I was in the wrong mode, half way between modes, but no, firmly in drive.

So I shifted in and out of drive two more times before it "caught" and I was off. Not liking this for my upcoming solo road trip.

[roverallover]

Shannnanananananana .... were you still rolling backwards a little when you shifted?
I've had that happen too and all you have to do is make sure you're actually stopped before shifting into 1st. You may want to flip it over into manual mode if it seems to not catch in auto-mode.

[SmartShanna]

Originally Posted by roverallover

Shannnanananananana .... were you still rolling backwards a little when you shifted?
I've had that happen too and all you have to do is make sure you're actually stopped before shifting into 1st. You may want to flip it over into manual mode if it seems to not catch in auto-mode.

Not moving a bit. E brake, even. Tried all modes. Now what, smarty? ;)

[SanDiegoJohn]

If you are going on a trip, I would take it to MBZ and describe the issue so they can give it the once over. Maybe something logged in the computer. At least give them a chance to test your auto-transmission. Additionally I might have a list of Smart Centers printed out along my route JIC.

[BillInEscondido]

The DIY Fix - located here:
DIY gear shift removal and lube (short video)
does the trick.

As some of you know, I had the dreaded shifter problem today (at the I-15 express lane opening ceremony!)

I didn't dare put the car in park until I was able to try the fix. It took less than 5 minutes and the shifter moves much better than before (it was getting a little 'crotchety'.

If your shifter is starting to stick, getting hard to get into or out of Park, you *may* want to try this. So far, it looks like I'll avoid a trip to the dealer.

[nscaler]

Originally Posted by BillInEscondido

The DIY Fix - located here:
DIY gear shift removal and lube (short video)
does the trick.

As some of you know, I had the dreaded shifter problem today (at the I-15 express lane opening ceremony!)

I didn't dare put the car in park until I was able to try the fix.

Oh c'mon! It's not like you were driving someone important - like the Mayor!

[Dave777]

Originally Posted by BillInEscondido

As some of you know, I had the dreaded shifter problem today (at the I-15 express lane opening ceremony!)

I didn't dare put the car in park until I was able to try the fix. It took less than 5 minutes and the shifter moves much better than before (it was getting a little 'crotchety'.

If your shifter is starting to stick, getting hard to get into or out of Park, you *may* want to try this. So far, it looks like I'll avoid a trip to the dealer.

FWIW, be sure to call you dealer and tell them how much money you saved them by solving the problem yourself and not getting towed.