[phillysmart]

For the second time (in 3 weeks), my cabrio top switch pushed thru and fell into the 'console'.

From a design point of view, one would think that an item you 'push' would be mounted from the top, not the bottom.

Has anyone else had this problem or is it my 'heavy finger' (matches my 'heavy foot')?

Any known fixes?

 

[Evilution]

Refit and silicone sealant it in place.

 

[rrrucke]

Had this happen and Edison fixed it. Now, I try to gingerly push that button. When it happened, it was about to rain and thankfully I made it to the dealership before the down pour. I did get a little wet but nothing the smart couldn't handle. Good luck and BE CAREFUL!! Regina

 

[hajiii]

I have just had this happen to me...luckily, I got the top all the way up. Do I need to go into the dealer for a fix? Seems like a simple thing. Has anyone fixed it themselves? How?

And I agree, the delta between the finger pressure required to activate the switch and the pressure required to push the switch out of its clips is too small.

 

[Evilution]

Fix it yourself.
Evilution - Smart Car Encyclopaedia

If anyone can get a picture of the cabrio switch back and the way it is held into the cover that would be great.

 

[thrillhill1026]

The same thing happened to me while showing the car off to someone. It did look well for quality of the vehicle

 

[nprsmart]

Silly question... Assuming I shift the thing into neutral and remove the shift knob, how do I then get the key out?

 

[fredthe]

Silly question... Assuming I shift the thing into neutral and remove the shift knob, how do I then get the key out?

I presume you are referring to the Evilution instructions. They are for the European version, which doesn't have the interlock (or park). Search here for "stuck shifter" for how to remove the US console.

 

[nprsmart]

fredthe,

Thanks for the quick assist.

Exactly my problem. Evilution has great step by step instructions, but the key fob is too big for the console to go over it...as I discovered the hard way. I got everything buttoned back up for the afternoon. I'll take your suggestion and follow the "stuck Shifter" instructions tomorrow.

Once I get the thing open, I'll reseat the cabrio switch where it belongs and use a drop of Superglue like Evilution suggests.

 

[phillysmart]

Mine fell thru two or three times in the first couple of months. After the last dealer fix, it has not happened in over a year. Wonder if they epoxied it in place!

BTW - I agree that the design is marginal, at best.

 

[nprsmart]

Here is the final solution in my case:

Someone, in one of the shifter posts suggested an old bike tube. Bingo.

I had a brand new spare bike tube for a bike I haven't had in years. It's the wrong size for my current bike. I cut about a four inch length and wrapped that around the collar and then the channel locks worked perfectly.

The wiring harnesses for the cabrio switch and the shift indicator LEDs are FAR too short to deal with while attached. I accidentally popped the shift indicator LED circuit board off as I was futzing with console trying to figure out how I was going to get the cabrio switch up and inside. No problem.

With both the cabrio switch and the LED circuit board detached, I was able to pop the cover plate that holds all of them off the console. I reinstalled the console, installed the cabrio switch on the underside of the cover plate and then fished the cabrio switch wiring harness and the LED circuit board up through the hole in the console and attached them to the cabrio switch and the cover plate respectively. Popped the cover plate and "voila", good as new.

I noted that the top of the nylon shift plunger was dry, so I smeared a little teflon bicycle grease on the top before putting the shifter back together for good measure.

 

[nprsmart]

BTW, to remove the console, it helps to remove the cup holder. There is one 25mm Torx head screw to remove and then just lift away from the Velcro on the bottom and the cup holder can be removed. The console itself has a 20mm Torx head screw.

 

[Mud Pie]

Since I have a cabrio, I was concerned about my switch when I read this post. I went out to lower my top to see what my habits were.

One slight tap on the button and the top goes all the way back on its own; no pressure needed. Another tap, and as soon as I drive away, the top goes all the way down.

To raise the top, you have to have steady pressure, but not much at all, we're just making a microswitch here, not trying to plug a hole in a dike.....

My suggestion...be gentle !!

 

[nprsmart]

The clips holding the switch in place are very small. It doesn't take much to push the switch through if you get careless.