Hi, I'm new to the forum and I am also a new Smart car owner.
I would just like to give a few tips to those out there who have encountered one of those CEL related to the clutch actuator.
I have searched high and low on this forum as well as other for information about this issue but most of the time I found the same info. (Spray lithium grease in the actuator/ replace actuator and check wiring)
Here are my observation about different problems with the clutch actuator and how to diagnose them. Hope it helps!
P0805 Clutch Actuator Circuit
P0900 Clutch Actuator Open
Symptoms: Car shifts hard and a thump can be heard/felt when leaving from a dead stop or when putting in reverse.
Common solution: Check Actuator adjustment and lubricate assembly, if necessary for transmission in reteach mode (three horizontal bar)
Symptoms: Car has difficulty up shifting or down shifting, car shift like a teenager learning to drive stick.
Common solution: Open clutch actuator and inspect its guts, check if the spring is not rusted or broken. Verify shifter motor wiring and actuator wiring for broken wires.
Symptoms: Car stalls when slowing down to a stop, worse in hot weather or with high electrical load.
Common solution: Your battery might be weak and cause the shifter motor to not disengage fast enough making your car stall. Check battery if it shows 12.6v after being parked for several hours also check that your alternator operates between 13.3v with electrical load and 14.1v with no electrical load at idle.
Symptoms: Car stall in a rain storm or after leaving a car wash
Common solution: Check wiring for exposed wires, check electrical connectors for sign of corrosion, lubricate with dielectric grease if necessary. There are 4 connectors to check (Clutch Actuator, 2 Shifter motor connectors, clutch positioning sensor and a sensor switch next to the shifter motor)
These are some of the common issues I have been through with my 2008 Smart ForTwo Passion. Keep in mind that it is absolutely possible that the actuator is fried or your clutch gone. But most of the time it is not the case. I know a few smart car owners that replaced perfectly good actuators because of a bad battery or a bad wire, only to find that the problem was still there. If I can make you save a few $$$ and the headache...That means my mission was successful!!!
I would just like to give a few tips to those out there who have encountered one of those CEL related to the clutch actuator.
I have searched high and low on this forum as well as other for information about this issue but most of the time I found the same info. (Spray lithium grease in the actuator/ replace actuator and check wiring)
Here are my observation about different problems with the clutch actuator and how to diagnose them. Hope it helps!
P0805 Clutch Actuator Circuit
P0900 Clutch Actuator Open
Symptoms: Car shifts hard and a thump can be heard/felt when leaving from a dead stop or when putting in reverse.
Common solution: Check Actuator adjustment and lubricate assembly, if necessary for transmission in reteach mode (three horizontal bar)
Symptoms: Car has difficulty up shifting or down shifting, car shift like a teenager learning to drive stick.
Common solution: Open clutch actuator and inspect its guts, check if the spring is not rusted or broken. Verify shifter motor wiring and actuator wiring for broken wires.
Symptoms: Car stalls when slowing down to a stop, worse in hot weather or with high electrical load.
Common solution: Your battery might be weak and cause the shifter motor to not disengage fast enough making your car stall. Check battery if it shows 12.6v after being parked for several hours also check that your alternator operates between 13.3v with electrical load and 14.1v with no electrical load at idle.
Symptoms: Car stall in a rain storm or after leaving a car wash
Common solution: Check wiring for exposed wires, check electrical connectors for sign of corrosion, lubricate with dielectric grease if necessary. There are 4 connectors to check (Clutch Actuator, 2 Shifter motor connectors, clutch positioning sensor and a sensor switch next to the shifter motor)
These are some of the common issues I have been through with my 2008 Smart ForTwo Passion. Keep in mind that it is absolutely possible that the actuator is fried or your clutch gone. But most of the time it is not the case. I know a few smart car owners that replaced perfectly good actuators because of a bad battery or a bad wire, only to find that the problem was still there. If I can make you save a few $$$ and the headache...That means my mission was successful!!!
