traction control disabler

[gordo.bernard]

I just finished a mod on a close friend's smart to install a switch to disable his traction control. This was done by following the directions on Evilution's site but instead we installed a switch under the ignition key right where your thumb could turn it on and off if your hand was resting on the emergency brake handle. It is easy to turn on or off and if you touch the brakes or reach 40 km/h it defaults to the active state. Now we just need to get some snow to try it out. The most difficult part was finding a source for the micro pin connector, otherwise Evilution's instructions were dead on.

Edited October 1, 2010 by gordo.bernard

[campbellriverpassion]

Sounds great, I would like to do the same. Where did you find the contact for the ESP connector? Did you use a illuminated momentary contact switch? What year was the Smart you modified? Do the 2006's have an ESP off pin at the module?

I am assuming that you followed this link:

http://www.evilution.co.uk/index.php?id=562

[Francesco]

What model year fortwo? Most of us here have been under the assumption that the pinout of the ESP module on the 2005-2006 cdi is completely different, and that "hole 27" isn't the ESP-Off pin at the module.

[gordo.bernard]

I don't have his smart here any more, but I think the door jamb was dated as Nov 04 build date...so a 2005. Everything was exactly as Evilution showed (big shout out to E) Nothing has yet proven itself in bad traction but the warning triangle light turns on and off with the switch so we will have to wait and see if everything else is like he said. We used an unlit momentary from 'The Source' because it had a large button but the rest was still compact enough to fit where we wanted.

Edited October 1, 2010 by gordo.bernard

[Francesco]

Looks like I'm crawling under the car again this week!

[campbellriverpassion]

So the terminal/wire is from MB? Was the wire supplied long enough to go to your switch or did you have to splice it?

[gordo.bernard]

The wire was very hard to find. Turned out that the local VW dealer had a big box full of all kinds of connectors. These are sold as two connectors, one on each end of a 1 foot long wire...so they need to be spliced.

Edited November 2, 2009 by gordo.bernard

[Huronlad]

I would be very interested in hearing how this setup works out under real winter conditions. I have made up one of the OBDII connector disables for myself, but this would be a much more desirable solution.

[gordo.bernard]

It seems that it would work the same as the plug in disabler except that the other safety systems are not affected and that this can be turned on and off while in motion. I have no doubt that it will work as Evilution describes but there is the limiting factor of when/if the factory changed the control unit to make this no longer possible. I may be in London for the dinner tomorrow , so I may meet you there.

Edited November 2, 2009 by gordo.bernard

[smartsk88er]

I have a 2005 smart, and if this works, I'm gonna have aaaalot of fun haha

[gordo.bernard]

Quick question for "Sameguy". Where did you get your oil filter adapter, are they still available, and how much?...Gord

[tolsen]

MB part number for spare terminal with short cable is MA000 540 27 05. This terminal comes with a rubber seal so no need to reuse the existing bung or seal with silicon. Cost in the UK is around 2 pounds.

This terminal fits most connectors on a Smart including clutch actuator, see below photo:

Added: Above terminal might be a bit too large. Will ask my mate at MB spares dpt in Aberdeen next time.

Edited November 2, 2009 by tolsen

[Francesco]

Quick question for "Sameguy". Where did you get your oil filter adapter, are they still available, and how much?...Gord

British American Transfer (BAT Inc) in Florida has it. They are very friendly and efficient, but their ordering process -- faxed order form and credit card -- is SO '90s... http://97.74.103.94/files/spinon.pdfIt's the one at the bottom of that page, order the M20 (20 mm) version, as that fits a wider variety of filters we can get here: Purolator, Bosch, Mobil 1, K&N, etc. IIRC, my total landed cost was around $135 Canadian, might be less now with the dollar above 90¢ US.

[Francesco]

Tolsen, thanks for that info. I'll check at a Canadian MB dealership this week.FWIW, I stopped at the local VW place today and they have it in stock with the above part number, but it's $8.55 plus tax here, and only one plug.

[gordo.bernard]

Here is the connector with a inch scale next to it. BTW Sameguy, thanks

Edited November 2, 2009 by gordo.bernard

[campbellriverpassion]

If anyone is interested, the MB part number for the illuminated ESP OFF switch as shown on the Evilution website (see Post #2 for the link) is Q0009680V004C96A00.It's a special order item and the cost is $48.75 CDN. Not cheap! I would probably buy the $5.99 momentary contact non-lit switch from 'The Source'. Still not sure if the 2006 has the ESP-off pin 27 at the controller? Has anyone had a chance to investigate?

[Francesco]

I believe the cars built up until 12/04 have the old connector, while 01/05 on have the new one. I haven't crawled yet to find out. But something tells me there is an alternate solution. If I find the right connection, that's when I'll invest in the switch. I may put it where gordo.bernard and his friend did, or maybe where the cig lighter is (once I have it and see the size).

[PrairieBoy]

This traction control disabling ability,is SO necessary when trying to drive a smart after a heavy snowfall.It is interesting to note,that my new Suzuki Grand Vitara has large button on the dash/console for just this function. You can disable(temporarily) the ABS/traction for seriously heavy snow/or other four wheeling.Even though this vehicle has four wheel drive, it also comes with ABS/Traction control.(Mercedes sourced/licenced).By pushing the button, this system is disabled up to a predetermined speed,after which it automatically turns itself back on.Even though the vehicle has a differential lock available in the ' 4-H Lock' position,and a differential lock position available in '4-Low-Lock' position,Suzuki thought it necessary to include an'ABS/Traction disable function! Smart people at Suzuki!!

[campbellriverpassion]

Well, there's another method according to FQ101.co.uk and that is to find the ESP signal wire in the main wiring harness, splice into it and put it to ground through the switch. It does not mention for what model, so need to get some more info.

http://www.fq101.co.uk/espwiring.asp

[Francesco]

Yeah, that's the "alternate" method I was talking about, but having already worked in the main harnesses I'm in NO hurry to dive back in there! Especially if there's no guarantee that that line is even available on post-452 smarts.

[Huronlad]

It is interesting to note,that my new Suzuki Grand Vitara has large button on the dash/console for just this function. You can disable(temporarily) the ABS/traction for seriously heavy snow/or other four wheeling.

With the exception of smart, nearly every other car that has traction control usually has some sort of defeat button to turn it off.

[Huronlad]

Even though the vehicle has a differential lock available in the ' 4-H Lock' position,and a differential lock position available in '4-Low-Lock' position,Suzuki thought it necessary to include an'ABS/Traction disable function! Smart people at Suzuki!!

The reason cars equipped with traction control usually have a defeat button is to stop the very problem associated with the smart in heavy snow. If the traction control slows the vehicle down too much, the vehicle ends up stuck.If the system is from M-B, does that make the engineers at Suzuki to stupid to make one for themselves?

[PrairieBoy]

Companies like Mercedes-Benz,'share' their technology with other car makers.In reallity i should change the word 'share', to 'sell'.The 'ESP',and 'brake-assist',etc was also put in Chrysler products.

Edited November 6, 2009 by PrairieBoy

[zrwon]

I just finished a mod on a close friend's smart to install a switch to disable his traction control. This was done by following the directions on Evilution's site but instead we installed a switch under the ignition key right where your thumb could turn it on and off if your hand was resting on the emergency brake handle. It is easy to turn on or off and if you touch the brakes or reach 60 km/h it defaults to the active state. Now we just need to get some snow to try it out. The most difficult part was finding a source for the micro pin connector, otherwise Evilution's instructions were dead on.

I have a 2006 and would really like to know how to do this, I only once got caught in a snow drift and could not believe that my car would slow down to a crawl when I needed power to the wheels, I nearly got stuck just because the car would not do what I needed it to do.The evilution link is blocked off on my work PC, hopefully I can access it from home.

[Howie]

I have one of these disablers for sale if anyone wants it... $30 Cdn. with shipping... SOLD!Howiehowie@howielipton.com

Edited November 10, 2009 by Howie