[albertlastsmart]

2013 passion 451.Car starts and drives normal in auto mode,but shift paddle are"dead". NO responce pulling the(-) or the (+)
paddles. Car just continues in auto mode! Any ideas or suggestions??..................

 

[DreamCarOwner]

This is gonna sound like a silly question, but does the horn still blow? The paddle shifters use the same circuit through the clockspring as the horn. If the horn doesn't work you could have a broken wire under the air bag in the steering wheel or a dirty connection where the wires plug onto the terminals. The shift paddles and the horn all have their own distinct amount of ohms (resistance) so the cars computer knows whether you have hit a shift paddle or tooted the horn. Can you pull the gearshift sideways and shift manually from the gearshift? The inside of the clockspring has little rollers that run on grooves so that each electrical wire from the steering wheel can make constant contact through the clockspring even though you are turning the wheel. Possibly one or more of these contacts could not be making contact at certain spots in the turning of the wheel. If this is the case only certain places in the turning of the wheel will allow the paddles to operate. I find the steering wheel mounted cruise control buttons on my Dodge Dakota truck will only turn the cruise control on when I have the steering wheel in a certain spot or two, thank goodness the spots it does work is close to pointing straight ahead. Hope this helps. I could post you some pictures of the assembly if it would help you in your troubleshooting.DCO

 

[smark]

Buggy software. Need to pull a code.

 

[albertlastsmart]

Thanks......

No code showing on my ScanGaugeII. Today I will try using the floor stick in manual mode. If unplugging the battery does
not help, will take it to my local repair shop,after new years......................

 

[Optimist]

I don't know how long you have enjoyed owning your smart, however if you are new to the "Fun", did you know that if you have a 100% charge on your
HV Battery, your reneration paddles are designed to not Add to your battery,
therefore they do not "Appear" to be working, as in, you will not experience the regeneration kicking in to slow you down.

 

[Johannesl]

I don't know how long you have enjoyed owning your smart, however if you are new to the "Fun", did you know that if you have a 100% charge on your
HV Battery, your reneration paddles are designed to not Add to your battery,
therefore they do not "Appear" to be working, as in, you will not experience the regeneration kicking in to slow you down.

I found this out about the ED. Even without paddles (which I don’t have in mine) it doesn’t slow as much at 100% battery.

However, I believe OP has a gas smart and was asking about the shift paddles.

 

[albertlastsmart]

It is ICE..............

Started the car today,with plan to attempt to get the floor shift into manual mode. Tried the paddle shifters again,just in
case. They worked like normal!! I'm hoping the problem yesterday,was a one time"hiccup" and not the beginning of a
continuing problem! Thanks for the comments and help...................

 

[Jo e Lefors]

This is gonna sound like a silly question, but does the horn still blow? The paddle shifters use the same circuit through the clockspring as the horn. If the horn doesn't work you could have a broken wire under the air bag in the steering wheel or a dirty connection where the wires plug onto the terminals. The shift paddles and the horn all have their own distinct amount of ohms (resistance) so the cars computer knows whether you have hit a shift paddle or tooted the horn. Can you pull the gearshift sideways and shift manually from the gearshift? The inside of the clockspring has little rollers that run on grooves so that each electrical wire from the steering wheel can make constant contact through the clockspring even though you are turning the wheel. Possibly one or more of these contacts could not be making contact at certain spots in the turning of the wheel. If this is the case only certain places in the turning of the wheel will allow the paddles to operate. I find the steering wheel mounted cruise control buttons on my Dodge Dakota truck will only turn the cruise control on when I have the steering wheel in a certain spot or two, thank goodness the spots it does work is close to pointing straight ahead. Hope this helps. I could post you some pictures of the assembly if it would help you in your troubleshooting.DCO

Best explanation of a clockspring I have ever read.
Thank You
Have a safe and Happy New Year.

 

[DreamCarOwner]

Thanks Jo. Most people don't even know what a clockspring on your car is or even what it does, much less care. Ha ha.When I was growing up the clockspring is what kept the Big Ben alarm clock at the head of my bed ticking so I wouldn't get up late for school.

 

[Jo e Lefors]

Your welcome.
I knew what a clockspring was, as I had it replaced under a recall on my 1996 Chrysler T&C.
When it went out no horn or air bag.