[CoolBean]

Hi All,

I recently brought a Smart 2008 Passion. It is a tiny car. However, without power steering, it is still tough to park in and out of a tight spot in New York. I want to know if it is possible to install a power steering on it. I have searched online I do see people asking similar questions. But I don't find anyone sharing a complete experience or tutorial on how to do it. Have you done it? How do you do it?

Appreciate any reply. Thank you!

 

[yueci]

Hi @Coolman,

I did it just a month ago - at first I would check if the wiring is already installed, normally Pulse and Passion are wired accordingly. The mechanics are plug & play but you have to find someone to do a variant coding, so the new steering control unit is accepted. Otherwise you will have some warning lights and esp and abs will not work.

These wires are located above the SAM and will be connected to the control unit:

These wires are located near the coolant tank in the front:

You can see the difference between power- and powerless-steering:

This is the control unit:

Here you can see the lowered front axel without steering:

Good luck

Cheers
Marc

 

[CoolBean]

Hi Marc,
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. Is so far everything working well for you?

I have found a mechanic with used OEM parts to do it for me. However, it is the first time he will do it for someone also. My bigger concern is after doing all the work. The power steering does not work and gets all different error codes like a Christmas light or die from lost control of the power steering.

FYI:
At the moment I am working on resolving error code P0900 (sometime P0805). I was able to drive around by clearing the error code or letting the car shut off for like 5 - 10 minutes. I will soon replace the clutch actuator. Then, when the temperature drops + windy the alarm randomly goes off.

Hi @Coolman,

I did it just a month ago - at first I would check if the wiring is already installed, normally Pulse and Passion are wired accordingly. The mechanics are plug & play but you have to find someone to do a variant coding, so the new steering control unit is accepted. Otherwise you will have some warning lights and esp and abs will not work.

These wires are located above the SAM and will be connected to the control unit:

View attachment 72885


These wires are located near the coolant tank in the front:

View attachment 72886


You can see the difference between power- and powerless-steering:

View attachment 72881


This is the control unit:

View attachment 72883


Here you can see the lowered front axel without steering:

View attachment 72882



Good luck

Cheers
Marc

 

[smark]

14 years ago, my 2008. I had the electric power steer rack installed on my smart car. when it was brand new. I could have swore I ordered it, from the factory. The smart dealership did it. The pre-existing wiring was there. i don’t know if they had to input any up date software, or not.

contact this guy, in the UK. Very knowledgeable of smart cars.

Evilution | Smart Car Encyclopedia

www.evilution.co.uk

 

[yueci]

i don’t know if they had to input any up date software, or not.

the smart has to know if there is a power steering installed - this is achieved by coding the power steering as an installed option, otherwise ESP and ABS will not work, but the power steering will.

Cheers
Marc

 

[yueci]

Is so far everything working well for you?

Yes - better than before - I have my Smart since 2011, its a 2007 model. I have made many changes including engineremap (since its a turbo with great effect), remap of the control unit and changes in the actuator for faster shifting with earlier shifting points to use the higher torque. But I refused to install the power steering, because I once tested a Version which felt disconnected.

As far as I know, there are at least two versions of control units with different software. The earlier version tend to support the steering permanently, even at higher speed. The newer version has an adaptive approach and lowers the support at higher speeds, which gives the driver more feedback.

I have the newer version and the support is just right for me.

Cheers
Marc

 

[CoolBean]

the smart has to know if there is a power steering installed - this is achieved by coding the power steering as an installed option, otherwise ESP and ABS will not work, but the power steering will.

Cheers
Marc

Hi! Once again, I appreciate you input. Yes, I have the power steering installed today. Just like you said, the power steering is working. Unfortunately, the ABS and brake lights stay on after. I went to the Mercedes Benz service center to have them try to program the ECU module. They tried for an hour. Tell me it won't work because the Car didn't have power steering before. So, when their software won't let them to do the reprogram. They told me I have to either get an ESP module that have power steering before and change it or I need someone with an aftermarket software manually program it for me.

I think for awhile. I will have to drive like that. I doubt changing the ESP module is going to help. Today, when I installed the power steering, the technician swapped it. Most likely, reprogramming is the way to fix it. But I don't know anyone who can do it for me.

 

[CoolBean]

14 years ago, my 2008. I had the electric power steer rack installed on my smart car. when it was brand new. I could have swore I ordered it, from the factory. The smart dealership did it. The pre-existing wiring was there. i don’t know if they had to input any up date software, or not.

contact this guy, in the UK. Very knowledgeable of smart cars.

Evilution | Smart Car Encyclopedia

www.evilution.co.uk

Unfortunately, I am in U.S. Thank you!

 

[yueci]

Tell me it won't work because the Car didn't have power steering before. So, when their software won't let them to do the reprogram.

Could be true - normally the official Mercedes dealers here in Germany didn't do it either - nevertheless, your car is equipped with the wiring and ready to be upgraded.

I think for awhile. I will have to drive like that. I doubt changing the ESP module is going to help. Today, when I installed the power steering, the technician swapped it. Most likely, reprogramming is the way to fix it. But I don't know anyone who can do it for me.

You have to find someone who is able to use a Vediamo - here is a YouTube video how to code your power steering.

Cheers
Marc

 

[CoolBean]

Could be true - normally the official Mercedes dealers here in Germany didn't do it either - nevertheless, your car is equipped with the wiring and ready to be upgraded.



You have to find someone who is able to use a Vediamo - here is a YouTube video how to code your power steering.

Cheers
Marc

Thank you! You are the best!

 

[yueci]

Thank you! You are the best!

Thank you - I appreciate that - I didn't check the video in advance and am a little disappointed that it lacks quality and substance, but it does give you and your programmer a clue to solving your problem.

Good Luck

Cheers
Marc

 

[CoolBean]

Thank you - I appreciate that - I didn't check the video in advance and am a little disappointed that it lacks quality and substance, but it does give you and your programmer a clue to solving your problem.

Good Luck

Cheers
Marc

Thank you! At the very least, I know programming with after-market software is the way to go. All your comment is very helpful to me. In a previous post, you mention remap. It is something that I won't know if you didn't tell me.