[bfrye1988]

So I haven’t had my (453) 2016 Smart Fortwo Prime for less than 6 months. I noticed it had a slow start one day after work. Then, it wouldn’t start up a few moments later after I ran into a store for a few items. I spoke to my sister who talked to her boyfriend (he’s a mechanic) and he recommended to have it jumped as it was most likely the battery. She came out and jumped it and it ran just fine except for once problem...there was a red error code “12 v Malfunction, stop now and check owner’s manual”.

I took it to my local show who stated it was probably the SAM unit but he would try the battery sensor first since my battery was good and was charging just fine. I had him replace another sensor as well for the cam as this was flagging in the system as causing a miss-fire in all 3 cylinders. I had to wait a little over a week as these parts had to be ordered through one of my local MB dealerships and they told him they don’t stock parts for the Smart brand anymore due to not selling them in North America (which I knew).

He got the parts on but it’s still throwing the same codes with the same main code of “12 v Malfunction”. He spoke to MB again who advised that they could order a new SAM unit as this was the most likely culprit but it would come un-registered and would have to be registered to the vin for my Smart which could only be done at the dealership...they also advised that they may or may not decide to do the work as they don’t sell the cars anymore...

So I will be taking it to MB as soon as I am able to, but my questions are:
1. How much is a SAM unit replacement roughly?
2. What do I do if the MB dealership tells me to “eff” off basically, I’m only 6 months into my finance of this car...I have already spoke with the finance company and the car company I bought it through and both are unable/unwilling to help me...

If I had known the amount of problems I would be facing (the announcement was made after I made my purchase) I would have gotten a FIAT instead...

 

[Goofybutsane]

Talk to these people your sisters bf could take out your Sam you ship it off with the keys the duplicate it program the keys ship it back and sisters bf slaps it back in

 

[sokoloff]

Isn't the car still under the factory warranty?

Len

 

[1stiski]

Was this a previously owned vehicle ? I’d check the engine crank sensor wire to be sure it wasn’t fiddled with , if the owner before had any motor power pack installed , ( easily removed from auto without detection ) , they may have caused issue with that little tiny wire . I’d check , just in case . Especially since all three plugs had a fault

 

[bfrye1988]

Isn't the car still under the factory warranty?

Len

No unfortunately it isn’t under warranty (if I understand correctly, it’s about 7,000 over warranty.

 

[bfrye1988]

Talk to these people your sisters bf could take out your Sam you ship it off with the keys the duplicate it program the keys ship it back and sisters bf slaps it back in

Sorry for the delay in responding, I couldn’t find how to reply on the phone.
Talk to which people? So far I haven’t been able to find any SAM units online both new or used and the dealership told my mechanic they wouldn’t allow him to order it because they were the only ones who could program it and they most likely wouldn’t do the service as they don’t sell them anymore...
when I get on the USA Smart website, that dealership/service location is the only one that comes up for my area as a service center.

I’m really aggravated at how MB is leaving us in all in crap situations. I’m 6 months into a 4 year car loan and the dealership I got it from (a used car dealership) is not willing to do anything for me (I can’t blame them), and yet, they continue to sell used Smarts despite my urges for discontinuing the sale of them due to this issue.

I can’t be the only one in this predicament.

 

[bfrye1988]

Was this a previously owned vehicle ? I’d check the engine crank sensor wire to be sure it wasn’t fiddled with , if the owner before had any motor power pack installed , ( easily removed from auto without detection ) , they may have caused issue with that little tiny wire . I’d check , just in case . Especially since all three plugs had a fault

Yeah it was used. That sensor appears to be fine. All indications point to the SAM unit because in addition to the plugs having faults, the battery has a couple faults, the braking system has a fault, the alternator, rain sensor, headlights, windshield motor, etc...according to the wiring diagram, all these different systems go through the SAM unit and after paying my mechanic $1000 to replace two sensors and test various other pieces, this is the most likely issue.

 

[sokoloff]

No unfortunately it isn’t under warranty (if I understand correctly, it’s about 7,000 over warranty.

How many miles are on it?

Len

 

[bfrye1988]

No unfortunately it isn’t under warranty (if I understand correctly, it’s about 7,000 over warranty.

How many miles are on it?

Len

I am not sure right this second what the exact amount is but it has more than 57,000 miles on it and I was told the warranty was good until 50,000.

 

[sokoloff]

I am not sure right this second what the exact amount is but it has more than 57,000 miles on it and I was told the warranty was good until 50,000.

Yeah, you're right. I was hoping that maybe you thought the warranty was only 36K.

Len

 

[Defected]

Yeah it was used. That sensor appears to be fine. All indications point to the SAM unit because in addition to the plugs having faults, the battery has a couple faults, the braking system has a fault, the alternator, rain sensor, headlights, windshield motor, etc...according to the wiring diagram, all these different systems go through the SAM unit and after paying my mechanic $1000 to replace two sensors and test various other pieces, this is the most likely issue.

Assuming your all sorted now but you touched on the cause without elaborating, for anyone with a Smart 453 do not jump start your Smart from another vehicle. Also do not attempt to help someone else with jump start to their vehicle. Have several in the workshop now all with failed driver side SAM units and they all tried to jump start their own Smart or a friends car using jump leads. Best keep a NOCO jump pack or similar in the car for these emergencies. My recommendation NOCO GBX55 or GBX75. Cheers, Howard

 

[Van Leopold]

Assuming your all sorted now but you touched on the cause without elaborating, for anyone with a Smart 453 do not jump start your Smart from another vehicle. Also do not attempt to help someone else with jump start to their vehicle. Have several in the workshop now all with failed driver side SAM units and they all tried to jump start their own Smart or a friends car using jump leads. Best keep a NOCO jump pack or similar in the car for these emergencies. My recommendation NOCO GBX55 or GBX75. Cheers, Howard

Does anyone know the Part # for the Driver-side SAM? Or is it just in the Fuse Box for a 453 Smart Car? Thank you in advance!!

 

[Johnny Hung]

Driver side SAM

center side SAM