451 will not turn over

[Sydney 218]

Hi everyone. I have multiple smart 450 cdi's, but I am new to the 451's.

I just picked up my first 451. I bought it as a non starter. Here is what I have found so far.

Key is stuck in the ignition cylinder, I am not sure why, I assume its fully turned to the off position. Although the radio and dash lights remain on for a bit.

Car will not turn over, when I try to start it, a buzzer beeps 3 times.

When the ignition is on, I can cycle thru park, neutral and drive, the ABS traction control and yellow triangle lights are on.

 

[Huronlad 186]

I have read of issues getting keys to go into dirty ignition cylinders but I do not recall mention of a key stuck in the ignition.  I would question if the selector is truly in park.

When you cycle the gear selector, does the corresponding gear show up in the display?

Any stored fault codes?

[jwight 117]

Here are some SCoA threads on stuck keys:

https://www.smartcarofamerica.com/threads/please-help-key-is-stuck.48357/

https://www.smartcarofamerica.com/threads/key-stuck-in-ignition.48148/

https://www.smartcarofamerica.com/threads/key-is-stuck-in-ignition.3862/

[Willys 747]

That'll teach ya for stepping outside the CDI bubble buddy....lol.

[Sydney 218]

21 hours ago, Huronlad said:

I have read of issues getting keys to go into dirty ignition cylinders but I do not recall mention of a key stuck in the ignition.  I would question if the selector is truly in park.

When you cycle the gear selector, does the corresponding gear show up in the display?

Any stored fault codes?

Worked at it a bit today. Only fault is "cylinder 2 misfire" 

And when I cycle thru the gears, the corresponding symbol appears on the dash display.

[Huronlad 186]

If the battery is good, could simply be a failed starter.  It is a fairly easy job to replace.

[Sydney 218]

Worked on it a bit more this evening. Got the key out, shift lever seems to be just a tad out of adjustment, causing the key to be stiff to turn to the full left.

And the not turning seems to just be a bad starter.  

So I'm going to pull the starter,   but before I disconnect the battery. Does the factory cd player have a code like the 450's do? I didn't get an owners manual with the car.

 

[jwight 117]

You didn't mention the year of the car but as long as it's the earlier Radio 9 or 10 there's no code.

[Sydney 218]

7 hours ago, jwight said:

You didn't mention the year of the car but as long as it's the earlier Radio 9 or 10 there's no code.

It's a 2008.  

[smart142 605]

No radio code needed.

[Sydney 218]

18 minutes ago, smart142 said:

No radio code needed.

thanks Glenn,   i'm going to be asking you a lot of questions on this car.   

i'm a virgin to the 451 model.   lol

but i couldn't turn it down for $250.00   lol

[Sydney 218]

how reliable are the gas engines in these cars.  the car i just picked up has 165,000k on it.  right of the bat, i am looking at $260.00 for a starter.  then work on getting her back on the road.

[Willys 747]

IMHO...before spending anything at all, I'd be checking all sorts of things to hopefully tell you it's worth it. Compression, bore scope the cylinders, fuel delivery, electrical condition, then look at the simple stuff, brakes, over all condition, interior etc etc.
I'm someone to talk as I dump money hand over fist when I start a project...lol. But it'll be something I keep for myself to use for hopefully years to come.   So, do your homework before spending more than what you can get out of it. IF you are thinking flipping it or keeping it?   Personally I'm stuck on the CDI's simply because of the fuel consumption etc etc.  The gasser's simply don't interest me because you can get a far better vehicle than a Smart that gets the same sort of consumption rates. Also the performance aspect of them, HP wise  isn't there, at least from what I hear.  To each their own.
Good luck...

[LooseLugNuts 557]

34 minutes ago, Sydney said:

how reliable are the gas engines in these cars.  the car i just picked up has 165,000k on it.  right of the bat, i am looking at $260.00 for a starter.  then work on getting her back on the road.

 

shop around

 

rockauto has starters for $98 after core return

 

might find a used one even cheaper https://www.car-part.com/

Edited October 7, 2020 by LooseLugNuts

[Nigel 287]

I believe Glenn told me Wild had one with 400,000.  

[Huronlad 186]

219k km and counting on my 2011.

[Sydney 218]

well thats all i need to know.    this car will go back on the road and live again.     (i hate scrapping them anyway)