[TheFadingTheory]

Good morning,

As I continue on my quest to get all issues corrected with my new to me 08 passion coupe to pass MD inspection I have noticed no illumination on the floor gear shift gear position. I searched YouTube and every smart I saw had a yellowish backlight helping to display what gear the car is in. When I removed the center floor consoul I noticed there is an empty spot for a bulb under the center consoul. I have searched here and online, but turned up no size, or bulb picture info. Any knowledgeable smarties that could provide this bulb info would be appreciated.

FYI I was already removing the center floor consoul to check my non functioning 12v plug on the lower dash. I found the wire disconnected to the plug, but still no juice when reattaching the wire. I also checked the 21 fuse and it looks good, so any other ideas on what to check to get the power outlet plug (don't know proper name) working would be helpful.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Miss Mercedes]

Good morning,

As I continue on my quest to get all issues corrected with my new to me 08 passion coupe to pass MD inspection I have noticed no illumination on the floor gear shift gear position. I searched YouTube and every smart I saw had a yellowish backlight helping to display what gear the car is in. When I removed the center floor consoul I noticed there is an empty spot for a bulb under the center consoul. I have searched here and online, but turned up no size, or bulb picture info. Any knowledgeable smarties that could provide this bulb info would be appreciated.

FYI I was already removing the center floor consoul to check my non functioning 12v plug on the lower dash. I found the wire disconnected to the plug, but still no juice when reattaching the wire. I also checked the 21 fuse and it looks good, so any other ideas on what to check to get the power outlet plug (don't know proper name) working would be helpful.

Thanks in advance.

The lamp you're talking about is actually a LED (or a set of them) soldered to a board. The board can slide out of its holder and point down, making it appear like a blown bulb. All you should have to do is put it back into its holder and it'll work fine. If the LED itself is blown, I'm not sure how to fix that.

 

[TheFadingTheory]

The light is missing, not blown. When they had the consoul apart it may have fallen out (the slide you mentioned could happen) I'm going to look around on the floor, etc. but if not found I have to get a new bulb/led. I guess I can call the dealer and ask for size, etc.

Edit-----> Just spoke with my Smart dealer and the part is officially called an ornamental cover Lol it's $53. The section pops out for replacement, so Neonspinnazz is correct in that there is no bulb to replace.

Thanks!

The lamp you're talking about is actually a LED (or a set of them) soldered to a board. The board can slide out of its holder and point down, making it appear like a blown bulb. All you should have to do is put it back into its holder and it'll work fine. If the LED itself is blown, I'm not sure how to fix that.

 

[Miss Mercedes]

The light is missing, not blown. When they had the consoul apart it may have fallen out (the slide you mentioned could happen) I'm going to look around on the floor, etc. but if not found I have to get a new bulb/led. I guess I can call the dealer and ask for size, etc.

Edit-----> Just spoke with my Smart dealer and the part is officially called an ornamental cover Lol it's $53. The section pops out for replacement, so Neonspinnazz is correct in that there is no bulb to replace.

Thanks!

You're welcome! I wasn't even aware the thing could be replaced without replacing the whole shifter unit! That's actually good info to know!

 

[TheFadingTheory]

So I ordered a few parts today from Mercedes, and the gear shift cover was one of them. Baby steps, baby steps.

You're welcome! I wasn't even aware the thing could be replaced without replacing the whole shifter unit! That's actually good info to know!

 

[TheFadingTheory]

Update:

Good news and bad news.

Bad news always first, because it can on get better from there.
Because Mecedes doesn't allow returns on special order parts I am stuck will selling the brand new ornamental cover for the gear shift that arrived yesterday. $53 after tax. If anyone needs one let me know, because I'll sell and do free shipping on it for $45


Good news-
I found the mini led circuit for the gear shift light strip in the back of the car. I saw it before, but I had no idea what it was for, however I did keep it. After removing the center console I simply snapped the LED strip back into place under the gear shift, but it took me 10 minutes to figure out where it plugged in for power. After figuring everything out my gear shifts lights up as it should again!!!!

Next to install is the battery hold down and breather tube that attaches to the battery. The foam passenger cover that sits over the battery won't arrive from Germany for a few weeks, but that is on the way too.

Stay tuned.

 

[jwight]

Do you have any photos from replacing that strip? Might help the next person....

 

[TheFadingTheory]

Do you have any photos from replacing that strip? Might help the next person....

Ok.

This is what the gear shift and cover looks like when in our cars. My gear letters were not illuminated, so this is what I did.

Forgive the dirt, I purchased the car last month and I won't be doing any cleaning until all work is completed.



Below the e-brake there is a cosmetic round cover.

The cover pops right off with a small flat head screwdriver, etc. There is a small cutout to stick the screwdriver in to pop the cover up.


There is a star type screw in there, so remove it.


Next remove the gear shift knob, so you can lift and remove the center console over the gear shift a simple squeeze and pull and it should come off.


Next pull up below the bottom of the console below the gear shift letter area. Your hands should be close to the cup holder. When you pull that end up you can lift it over the gear shift.

Flip over the console and you will see the under side off the ornamental cover which holds the LED strip. The cover has little tabs that you just push back with a flat head to release. The yellow, square LED light has tabs to release too. You can see them in the picture.

The LED has a small group of wires that pop in vertically in a small section between the center console and the cup holder. I already had mine back on, before the picture, but the picture of me holding the wires close to the cup holder is showing where the slot would be once the console is removed. This is where the wires plug for the LED strip. (To power it) the LED strips pulls straight out and pushes back straight in when returning it.


The console goes back over the gear shift the way you pulled it off. Replace everything and your done. Hope this helps. I typed this with my phone so forgive grammar and typos.

 

[jwight]

Great - thanks!