[joeshark]

Hey All,

So my 2008 passion has 33k miles, I just bought it less than 1mnth ago.

I've been trying to find an answer by searching forums.

What happened was I had driven the car a few miles & and then parked for quick errand. Started car, put car into R, hit the gas & all I heard was revving, looked down, and noticed there was no R in display, at some point some beeping started.
I was starting to panick a bit, I switched through other gears, and only thing that was showing up was N or some bars if I recall.
I figured some kind of computer glitch, so I shut off car, and restarted, same thing was happening. I believe I shut car off again & restarted & it was then switching gears properly.
I read a post about mistakenly resetting transmission or something like that, by accidentally holding down brake pedal while starting car???
I'm pretty used to holding holding down brake pedal while starting car, not sure if in this instance I had done this while starting, but am wondering if this could have been the problem?
I have driven the car 2 days now, and it seems to be fine; except for today, it seemed to shift fine, but I heard the beeping sound for a second or two while shifting into gear automatically.
I like driving the car in manual mode sometimes, and sometimes when car has first been started and after warming up a bit, I notice that it doesn't catch into gear on first or sometimes second try???

So, if you've read this far what could be my issue? Sorry if this has been discussed a million time, couldn't quite pinpoint it in forums.

Best,
Joe

 

[Stretchmobile]

My smart won't start unless your foot is on the brake. Won't go into gear either unless the brake is on.

 

[BARNEY O]

Put your foot on the brake pedal , turn the key to on, and let the tranny reteach itself. Then turn key off.. Restart in normal fashion...:wink:

 

[wahi]

joeshark, did your park on uneven ground (one side on higher ground, usually the driver's side higher) by any chance? Cos mine was doing that and I took it in to my smartcenter and got an update on the tranny software, and now, it's no longer doing that.

 

[BB Benz]

Hey All,

So my 2008 passion has 33k miles, I just bought it less than 1mnth ago.

I've been trying to find an answer by searching forums.

What happened was I had driven the car a few miles & and then parked for quick errand. Started car, put car into R, hit the gas & all I heard was revving, looked down, and noticed there was no R in display, at some point some beeping started.
I was starting to panick a bit, I switched through other gears, and only thing that was showing up was N or some bars if I recall.
I figured some kind of computer glitch, so I shut off car, and restarted, same thing was happening. I believe I shut car off again & restarted & it was then switching gears properly.
I read a post about mistakenly resetting transmission or something like that, by accidentally holding down brake pedal while starting car???
I'm pretty used to holding holding down brake pedal while starting car, not sure if in this instance I had done this while starting, but am wondering if this could have been the problem?
I have driven the car 2 days now, and it seems to be fine; except for today, it seemed to shift fine, but I heard the beeping sound for a second or two while shifting into gear automatically.
I like driving the car in manual mode sometimes, and sometimes when car has first been started and after warming up a bit, I notice that it doesn't catch into gear on first or sometimes second try???

So, if you've read this far what could be my issue? Sorry if this has been discussed a million time, couldn't quite pinpoint it in forums.

Best,
Joe

It needs the 2.03 Trans software update at a smart center. Just tell them about it not going into reverse. Bingo! Problem solved. Classic problem and resolution.

 

[Miss Mercedes]

My car beeps at me if I roll forward while in Reverse.

Once I was backing up my driveway and let off the throttle. The car tried to catch itself but the drive was too steep so it started to roll down the driveway. About a second in it disengaged the gear and started to beep at me. Normal service resumed once I stopped the car from rolling.

 

[joeshark]

Thanks All for the replies,

I was parked on even ground. I had been wondering about the software upgrade I've read about on here also.
Is this something that Smart dealer does at no cost?

Thanks,
Joe

 

[wahi]

I think my 2.03 update was for about $89.00 but I really have to look for the receipt to be sure. However, my earlier 2.0 update was part of the 20K service package so looks like that one was free.

 

[joeshark]

Thanks Wahi. I wonder if there is a way to know if it already has 2.03 update? I remember reading something about like, if you're in D, and you shift with the paddles it will allow you take drive manually then? I tried this and it worked.
Now i'm worried that I have the updated software & something else is wrong
Maybe I should try a proper reset with brake pedal as suggested by Barney O ???

 

[dancote]

Your "local" smart center should have a record of everything that was done to your smart if it was done at a smart center. They can look it up by your VIN.

Regards,

Dan

 

[BB Benz]

No, Joe, you are describing the 2.0 update which was already standard on late 09 cars. Mine got the 2.03. It changes shift points for one thing and the pressure required to engage the clutch which is what fixes the problem of not going into reverse. If it is not going into reverse, it is highly unlikely that it already has the 2.03 update, only the 2.0.

 

[SuperGeek]

Mine does the same thing especially after sitting for a week or so. Seems like a sensor gets confused - the 2.03 update is on my to-do list, but I need to take a full day off and drive three hours to my nearest dealer. Until I can do that, I just push back with my foot, pull forward in gear about ten feet, and it fixes itself - may be coincidence, but it gives me something to do.

 

[JoeSmart1]

This problem has nothing to do with whether your foot is on the brake or you've done a "teach in" for your transmission. I tried all that.

The actual solution is to make sure the latest version of firmware is installed in your Smart's Transmission Control Unit (TCU) -- BB Benz is correct in making this clear.

My Fortwo stopped dependably going into R or D a few days ago. It's last firmware update had been back in Feb. 2009, so after reading this forum, I called the dealer to arrange an upgrade. They tried to thwart my effort by saying I should pay several hundred dollars for a full tranny diagnostic, but eventually I prevailed. They charged me $110 (the $10 for "consummable shop supplies" - can you believe it?) to hook it up tho their computer and install the latest firmware. (They wouldn't tell me if it's v2.03 or what, just that it's the current version.)

Result: Tranmission problem solved -- it goes into R and D every time now. My heartfelt thanks to BB Benz and others here. Cheers.

 

[BB Benz]

ROFLMAO! Consumable supplies: Cappuchino while they wait for the download to transpire!

 

[JoeSmart1]

Yes indeed. My "service advisor" freely admitted that all they did was hook it up to their computer and download the newer software. But he kept insisting they should charge me for shop supplies anyway. He didn't see any humor in that like I did . . but then he's just a tool of the Smart "stealership."

 

[JoeSmart1]

(Cancelled message)

 

[MikeB1]

I guess they call the paper they print the bill on "consumable supplies" now? I want to say that "now I've heard everything", but since I'm 59 years old, I'm pretty sure there's more BS yet to be heard. Unfortunately.

 

[BB Benz]

Cappuchino, beignets, palmiers, and last but not least Little Debbie snack cakes and the Napkins resquired, etc. are all consumable shop supplies.

Just got back from "shop"-ing for consumables.
Some were "put away" before they were put away.

 

[orngandblack]

Funny my smart just turned 31,000 and I just had the same problem with it not going in reverse and hearing the beep. Guess I'll be taking a trip to the dealer. What I am wondering is if I continue to drive, will I lose forward gears or does this only effect the reverse gear? It may take me a couple of days before I get a chance to take it in for the 2.03.

 

[kheran]

Cappuchino, beignets, palmiers, and last but not least Little Debbie snack cakes and the Napkins resquired, etc. are all consumable shop supplies.

Just got back from "shop"-ing for consumables.
Some were "put away" before they were put away.

I wonder if the shop "consumables" were the plastic bag on the seat and the paper floor mat so the car doesn't get spoiled by the overpriced grease monkeys at M-B service centers...