Summary of "2011 Smart Fortwo is seriously not shifting right! What the CAR WIZARD finds will shock you!"
2011 Smart Fortwo (Passion) — Diagnosis & Repair Summary
Product overview / main features
- Very small two-seat city car with a rear-mounted 1.0L engine.
- Lightweight, compact dimensions (much of the car length is doors); tiny “donut” wheels with very narrow front tires and slightly wider rears.
- Rear-engine layout (Beetle-like packaging).
- Transmission: manual gearbox with an electronic actuator — you select the gear but it shifts automatically.
- Electric power steering, small brakes and suspension components, CV joints with small boots.
- Good fuel economy and well suited to dense cities (e.g., LA, Atlanta, Miami, New York); less ideal for long open-highway driving.
Reported problem / owner experience
- Owner experienced hard shifting and the instrument cluster showing three dashes where the drive symbol should be.
- Owner feared the transmission was failing and mentally prepared for a costly replacement.
Diagnostic process and findings
- Technician scanned the vehicle with an Autel scan tool and found multiple stored CAN/communication fault codes — modules were not receiving/receiving incorrect CAN messages (ESP, engine control module, electronic selector module, sprint shift control module).
- Codes were stored (not initially current) but reappeared immediately after test driving.
- Focus shifted to wiring/CAN bus communications rather than an internal mechanical transmission failure.
- Center console and dash trim were removed to trace wiring.
- Technician (“Magic Mike”) discovered rodent damage: communication wires chewed or severed in a bundle under the dash/center console.
- Temporarily reconnecting wires brought modules back online and cleared codes one by one, demonstrating that the communication wiring (not the transmission internals) was the cause.
Cause and solution
- Root cause: rodent (mouse) damage to the wiring harness, causing open circuits on CAN/communication lines to the shift/selector modules.
- Permanent repair: replace or properly repair the chewed wiring bundle and restore CAN connections.
- Estimated repair cost: likely under $500 for diagnosis and wiring repair, versus thousands for an unnecessary transmission replacement.
Tools and people involved
- Autel scan tool for module/code diagnosis.
- “The Wizard” (host) — overall inspection, vehicle background, ethics warning about dishonest shops.
- “Magic Mike” (technician) — scanned, traced, found rodent damage, and performed temporary wiring repair.
- Emphasis: take time to trace wiring and test before replacing major components.
Pros
- Extremely maneuverable and convenient in dense urban environments.
- Very fuel efficient with appealing styling.
- Small components make some service access easier (engine hatch, tailgate working position).
- This specific problem is relatively inexpensive to repair when properly diagnosed.
Cons / caveats
- Not ideal for long open-highway driving — limited comfort/performance at long distances.
- Small tires and components can feel toy-like and offer less highway stability.
- Sensitive to electronic communication/wiring issues (CAN-based systems) and vulnerable to rodent damage in wiring runs.
- Risk of misdiagnosis: shops may upsell expensive parts (e.g., replace entire transmission) if they don’t properly diagnose wiring/CAN problems.
Comparisons and examples
- Layout compared to a Volkswagen Beetle (rear engine).
- Recommended for big cities (LA, Atlanta, Miami, NYC); less suitable for wide-open Kansas highways.
- Contrasted with a Chevy Malibu example where the transmission truly was ruined — here the issue was wiring, not mechanical failure.
Warnings / advice for owners
Don’t tell a shop you’re “ready for a new transmission.” Some shops may replace parts unnecessarily and charge large sums. Always insist on proper diagnostics: scan for codes and investigate wiring/CAN bus communications before approving major component replacements. Consider a second opinion if a shop recommends very expensive work without showing diagnostic data. Inspect for rodent damage when encountering odd electrical/communication symptoms.
Costs, ratings, scores
- No explicit star ratings provided.
- Cost comparison: wiring repair ≈ $500 or less vs. $5,000–$8,000+ for a replacement transmission if misdiagnosed.
Unique points noted
- 2011 Smart Fortwo Passion trim.
- Engine located in the rear under a hatch; small 1.0L engine.
- Front panel contains master cylinder, radiator condenser and AC components (but not the engine).
- Large trailing arm in rear suspension (described like a rainbow).
- Several sensors (position sensors with green wires, rpm sensors) and small compact parts (oil filter, alternator).
- CAN bus ties multiple modules together (ESP, ECM, electronic selector, sprint shift control).
- Center console wiring bundle is vulnerable to rodents.
Different speakers / viewpoints
- The Wizard: vehicle overview, inspection, ethical warning about dishonest shops, city suitability.
- Magic Mike: scanned with Autel, traced codes to wiring, discovered rodent damage, performed temporary repair, estimated costs.
Verdict / recommendation
The Smart Fortwo is an excellent city car—compact, economical, and nimble. In this case, the hard-shifting and dash display did not indicate a failed transmission but a wiring/CAN-bus communication problem caused by rodent damage. Always insist on thorough diagnostics (scan tool and wiring inspection) before approving costly repairs; for similar symptoms, check wiring/CAN lines and rodent damage first, since repair is likely far cheaper than an unnecessary transmission replacement.
Category
Product Review
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