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10 Posts
Hello all, (if you want to skip to my issues I need help with start reading at the (*)
I have a 2008 smart Fortwo Passion Cabrio with 55k miles on it. Back in August, knowing my state inspection was coming up soon, I had both brake lines replaced, a new exhaust system installed, and an oil change, fluids, etc. $1,500+ later, and all was good. Fast forward to 1 October - whilst in 3rd gear driving through a mall parking lot my car, my car (on its own) jerked a bit, shifted down to 2nd, then 1st, and died. Radio, lights, wipers, heat/air, etc. all worked but it wouldn't turn over at all. I was Googling and watching numerous YouTube vids whilst stuck waiting for the tow truck but couldn't find any "culprits" or easy fixes that worked. I was hoping it was just a battery or alternator issue.
I ended up bringing it to a mechanic friend of my sisters - who diagnosed the problem as being the SAM module failing...$1,900 parts and labour. A few days later, the mechanic called to inform us that the new SAM module was installed but that he was having problems with the gears shifting and really needed to "look a bit further" which translates to "it's gonna cost more money". OK - it needs to be done so please do. His findings were the clutch actuator and it needing to be replaced - having found a small piece of broken-off metal. So a new one was put in - another $1,300.
*Now for the best part of the story and my seeking help from any and all of you!
I went to pick up my car, the shop owner showed me the old SAM unit and the clutch actuator, I paid, and left. Went across the street to pick up a few things at the store and noticed that where the total mileage reading is normally displayed there were just 3 dashes (- - -) hmmm. I figured I'd just go right back across the street to the garage after grabbing the few things I needed at the store. When leaving the store, I went to open the trunk and it wouldn't open. Tried the key fob again, and nope - nada. I also realised that the top part of the cabrio was not latched - and of course, couldn't be as the bottom hatch was shut and unable to be opened. When in the car, I figured I'd better try operating other things and found: the convertible top would not open. I went right over to the garage and the guy who worked on my car hooked it up to the tablet thing and found nothing but that he would look into it further on Monday as he was off for the weekend. I agreed to bring it back on Monday.
Over the weekend, I found all of the following issues - NONE of which were an issue before having the SAM module replaced:
• Convertible top will not operate
• Trunk (bottom hatch) is stuck in the locked position (when pressing the lever to open the hatch I can hear the slight "click" letting me know that it isn't dead)
• Trying both key fobs - only the driver's side door unlocks. The passenger door and trunk will not unlock. The passenger door will open if opened from inside.
• Heated seat buttons lights on centre console were not working correctly.
• Interior lock/unlock buttons do not work unless the car is running.
• Both left and right turn front signals will not work - rear ones work fine
I brought the car back to the mechanic who was "going to go over everything". A day and a half later, the owner of the shop called to let me know that these issues would need to be "looked into further" aka more $$$ and I told him not to bother and I would like to pick up the car and would also like to have the old SAM module. I went to pick up the car and the guy who actually did the work on my car managed to:
• Fix the heated seat buttons. Period.
He told me he had to remove the 4 hex screws to open the trunk. I told him that they had closed the tailgate hatch and top hatch incorrectly (closing the bottom and then attempting to close the top - which of course can't be done). He actually did admit that he had done that and apologised for doing that but went on to tell me that he couldn't get the trunk to unlock/open using the keyfob button. I explained that that button was for the cabrio roof - not the trunk. Again, he apologised for his mistake with that. As to the other issues, he let me know that I just needed to replace the front turn signal bulbs, but he had no idea what could be causing the other issues. I took the car since it at least drives now.
I went to AutoZone and bought new bulbs and the front signals still won't work. I'm thinking wrong wiring, fuse issues, relays (whatever those are) - I am so NOT mechanically inclined in the least.
I'm SO sorry for the short book - but wanted to give as much info to anyone and everyone out there who might have ANY idea as to what the problem/s could be, and hopefully some possible easy DIY fixes to try.
Thank you all so much for any info you might have,
John
I have a 2008 smart Fortwo Passion Cabrio with 55k miles on it. Back in August, knowing my state inspection was coming up soon, I had both brake lines replaced, a new exhaust system installed, and an oil change, fluids, etc. $1,500+ later, and all was good. Fast forward to 1 October - whilst in 3rd gear driving through a mall parking lot my car, my car (on its own) jerked a bit, shifted down to 2nd, then 1st, and died. Radio, lights, wipers, heat/air, etc. all worked but it wouldn't turn over at all. I was Googling and watching numerous YouTube vids whilst stuck waiting for the tow truck but couldn't find any "culprits" or easy fixes that worked. I was hoping it was just a battery or alternator issue.
I ended up bringing it to a mechanic friend of my sisters - who diagnosed the problem as being the SAM module failing...$1,900 parts and labour. A few days later, the mechanic called to inform us that the new SAM module was installed but that he was having problems with the gears shifting and really needed to "look a bit further" which translates to "it's gonna cost more money". OK - it needs to be done so please do. His findings were the clutch actuator and it needing to be replaced - having found a small piece of broken-off metal. So a new one was put in - another $1,300.
*Now for the best part of the story and my seeking help from any and all of you!
I went to pick up my car, the shop owner showed me the old SAM unit and the clutch actuator, I paid, and left. Went across the street to pick up a few things at the store and noticed that where the total mileage reading is normally displayed there were just 3 dashes (- - -) hmmm. I figured I'd just go right back across the street to the garage after grabbing the few things I needed at the store. When leaving the store, I went to open the trunk and it wouldn't open. Tried the key fob again, and nope - nada. I also realised that the top part of the cabrio was not latched - and of course, couldn't be as the bottom hatch was shut and unable to be opened. When in the car, I figured I'd better try operating other things and found: the convertible top would not open. I went right over to the garage and the guy who worked on my car hooked it up to the tablet thing and found nothing but that he would look into it further on Monday as he was off for the weekend. I agreed to bring it back on Monday.
Over the weekend, I found all of the following issues - NONE of which were an issue before having the SAM module replaced:
• Convertible top will not operate
• Trunk (bottom hatch) is stuck in the locked position (when pressing the lever to open the hatch I can hear the slight "click" letting me know that it isn't dead)
• Trying both key fobs - only the driver's side door unlocks. The passenger door and trunk will not unlock. The passenger door will open if opened from inside.
• Heated seat buttons lights on centre console were not working correctly.
• Interior lock/unlock buttons do not work unless the car is running.
• Both left and right turn front signals will not work - rear ones work fine
I brought the car back to the mechanic who was "going to go over everything". A day and a half later, the owner of the shop called to let me know that these issues would need to be "looked into further" aka more $$$ and I told him not to bother and I would like to pick up the car and would also like to have the old SAM module. I went to pick up the car and the guy who actually did the work on my car managed to:
• Fix the heated seat buttons. Period.
He told me he had to remove the 4 hex screws to open the trunk. I told him that they had closed the tailgate hatch and top hatch incorrectly (closing the bottom and then attempting to close the top - which of course can't be done). He actually did admit that he had done that and apologised for doing that but went on to tell me that he couldn't get the trunk to unlock/open using the keyfob button. I explained that that button was for the cabrio roof - not the trunk. Again, he apologised for his mistake with that. As to the other issues, he let me know that I just needed to replace the front turn signal bulbs, but he had no idea what could be causing the other issues. I took the car since it at least drives now.
I went to AutoZone and bought new bulbs and the front signals still won't work. I'm thinking wrong wiring, fuse issues, relays (whatever those are) - I am so NOT mechanically inclined in the least.
I'm SO sorry for the short book - but wanted to give as much info to anyone and everyone out there who might have ANY idea as to what the problem/s could be, and hopefully some possible easy DIY fixes to try.
Thank you all so much for any info you might have,
John
