[thewhizard]

My blower motor started becoming intermittent had to pull it and clean the commuter following

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f369/heater-blower-motor-repair-26967/

2009 smart 2nd time I've done this. Think brushes are pitted this time might have to try something different next time. How much are replacement motors going?



While doing so I broke the white link that can be see in the linked pictures - anybody have a close up how the go together?

 

[DreamCarOwner]

08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Smart Fortwo Heater Blower Motor 87K OEM | eBay

I think a new one goes for somewhere around the $230 mark. DCO

 

[jsenka]

The linkage segments have snap fittings on each end. The joints just snap together. That said, there is one that goes from the driver's foot well heat outlet shutoff up into the heater box. If that link disconnects inside the heater box, you've got a world of misery. Not impossible, but it is difficult.
Don't EVER tug on one of them if you can't see the ends!

 

[thewhizard]

cant get my head and hands under dash at same time -think i wacked it good not knowing what it was.
Where it pivots on the shown picture it wont snap back together - have to take close look why it dosnt snap

The linkage segments have snap fittings on each end. The joints just snap together. That said, there is one that goes from the driver's foot well heat outlet shutoff up into the heater box. If that link disconnects inside the heater box, you've got a world of misery. Not impossible, but it is difficult.
Don't EVER tug on one of them if you can't see the ends!

 

[jsenka]

As I recall, I made several attempts to find where the linkage attaches. I was finally able to find the spot, but I could only work for short intervals. I finally decided that I was done, but maybe just . . one . . more . . bleeping . . try! I managed to get it re-connected on that last try.
I laid a piece of carpet over the outside seat frame rail to protect my back and went in on my back, face up with my head near the pedals. I also made sure my phone was in reach just in case I got stuck and need to call for help . . . yes seriously!
I worked with my left hand with my left arm curled up around my head. All done by feel, because there was no way to see where my fingers were from that position. There was only room for like two fingers in the heater box opening. My right arm was pretty much useless, except for being able to reach that cell phone.

Getting out was a real chore, but I managed without having to call 911!

Those who know me know that I'm a big guy, so the comical effect of the visuals will be of no charge!

 

[DreamCarOwner]

I don't think there is any easy way to work under the dash of the Fortwo unless you remove the seat. If you try to lay on your back in the footwell, the front edge of the seat track digs into your ribs. Like JSenka said you end up with one arm over your head and the other isn't alot of help. I've spent alot of time under the dash of Max running wires for this and that and it is very uncomfortable. The tridion has a lip around the floor of the door opening to hold the weather stripping in place and it digs into your back. If you try to lay on a pillow you end up too close to the dash. I have resorted a couple of times to laying my body upside down in the seat and slithering down under the steering wheel like a snake. How nice it would have been if there was a way to have the bottom half of the seat hinged like a jump seat so that it could be folded out of the way. I'm serious about removing the seat as it is only 4 bolts, and if you're gonna spend anytime at all under the dash, it sure makes the job easier. But I do not like having to unplug the air bag and seat belt connectors to remove the seat. Can you imagine the laughs and ribbing a person would take if you did actually get stuck and had to call 911 for EMT's to help? It would probably make the front page of the local newpaper. Local man swallowed alive by his Smart car. DCO

 

[jzchen]

All bolts 35 Nm. (Smart makes it easy. BMW makes these one time use bolts....)

Installation is screw in all 4 bolts until just until they make contact. Tighten the right rear to spec, then left rear to spec. Slide seat back. Tighten left front to spec, then right front...

I worked with the SAM for the Brabus rear trunk LED lighting, or whatever it is called. It was not fun. I used a towel to cushion my back but it was still painful until I got the thickness just right by folding it...

 

[jsenka]

I don't think there is any easy way to work under the dash of the Fortwo unless you remove the seat. DCO

If you choose to remove the seat, be sure to disconnect the battery before you disconnect the airbag/seatbelt connectors under the seat. Otherwise the SRS system may need to be reset by the dealer or someone with the proper diagnostic device.

 

[DreamCarOwner]

Yes I am in that situation now with the air bag light again. I removed the driver seat to work on both seat belt buckles. I put LED's inside the buckles and it lights up the red button on the buckles so that I could see them to get buckled up. Well I put the seat back in and because I didn't disconnect the battery (I thought not turning on the switch was enough) I now have the air bag light on. When I removed the seats to install heated seat pads a couple of years ago I used my nephews Launch CRP129 to access the SRS and reset the light. Back at that time it worked perfectly to reset the light, but this time it will not reset the air bag light. That seems strange because before I had both seats out of the car and turned on the switch and started the car to move it. This time I only had the passenger seat out and never turned on the switch. DCO

 

[jzchen]

Light might go out on it's own after a few start stop cycles, hopefully!

 

[DreamCarOwner]

Light might go out on it's own after a few start stop cycles, hopefully!

I'm hoping so. The error code was "open circuit driver seat belt buckle". Then after I tried to clear it I also disconnected the battery for an hour in a futile attempt to clear it. Then it said something about code corrected on the meter, but it would not clear the light. Before the code I had to fasten my seat belt before I put the car in drive or it would flash the seat belt light at me and beep to remind me to do so. Now I can leave the seat belt unfastened and it doesn't beep or acknowledge it, so I know the system is disabled. If I were to be in in accident I don't think the air bags would deploy.
I got both of my Smart replacement keys that I ordered from Wish.com. They were $18 each. Then I took them to the local locksmith and he cut them for $25 a key. So now I need to call the Smart center and set up an appointment to get both keys activated, air bag light cleared, and shift paddles activated. I haven't gotten the wiring for that done yet. Gonna be a busy week getting the car ready for the April Fools rally next weekend. DCO