Rusty

Final update: shift motor was definitely the problem / solution.

I was having three bar issues with my 450 CDI. I replaced the shift motor and that solved my problem. Star not required. Rusty

Update: I replaced the shifter motor a few days ago. It's only been a few hundred kms on the replacement shift motor but so far no issues. I cracked open the replacement shifter motor and gave it a good clean before install:

Thanks for the responses. Reluctor Rings I hadn't considered this. I've never had an ABS/ESP light, except twice driving in heavy snow at highway speeds which caused the transmission to misbehave (and a light on the dash), and eventually lock into third gear. The light might simply have been indicating wheel slip. (Usually I short pins 4 and 7 in the snow so I don't know if this might normally occur more often). Codes I do have an ELM327 but I think I need a Star system in order to get any relevant codes. One of the strange parts about this problem is the (sometimes) one to two minute delay where the car won't start. It happens after three bars, once I've stopped, gone to neutral, removed key & unlocked the alarm, reinsert key, attempted to restart....and nothing, no turn over. It's like the car is in gear, or thinks it's in gear, so won't start. Then suddenly it will change it's mind (or manages to shift into neutral) and starts with no problem (foot is on the brake to allow shifting).

It happens every 500kms or so, usually downshifting in/out of 5th or after pulling off the highway and coming to a stop: three bars. I thought I needed to replace the gear angle sensor but two things seem unusual. A quick background to eliminate a few possibilities: -fairly new battery (two years) and good alternator voltage -added a new ground strap -dismantled, cleaned, lubed clutch actuator twice -clutch teach by Eddy, he thought actuator was fast for its age -no visible chafed wiring -no issue in the wet/rain -car gets 360 degree high pressure drive-thru power wash when leaving industrial site without issue (again, no issue with water) When I get three bars I have to stop, turn ignition to the off position, put it in neutral, click unlock on the key fob, and then restart. Two things are strange though: Occasionally after three bars and trying to restart, the car behaves as if it has a dead battery. When I turn the key I get nothing (motor doesn't turn, although lights etc are fine). I try numerous times and after a minute, maybe two, it suddenly starts with no problem. My last experience with three bars though got really weird. Not only did I get the momentary dead battery issue, I unintentionally hit the rear window button on my fob and the back window opened. That window actuator hasn't been operational for almost three months! The car eventually started (within two minutes) and my rear window actuator works fine now. Could this be an ECU problem instead of a gear position sensor issue?

Thanks for the replies. Hopefully then it was just an overfill and nothing is cracked. I'll clean it off and if it happens again I'll update this post.

New to smart cars. Just bought a Canadian 2005 Fortwo cdi and I noticed that there’s diesel fuel on the wheel well located below the fuel filler tube. Is this a common issue and what’s usually the problem?