forfour AUTO gearbox problem (wot get into any gear)

[ypzhai]

this morning I drove to the garage near my work to get 2 front tyres replaced, left the car and the bloke rang me to say the car wont put into gear, I thought it was him who cant handle smart cars, so I went down and he was right, there was no indication in the dash saying "N" "1" or "R" when u push the lever, the car will start, but it wont get into any gear. Got RAC up here, and he tried disconnecting the battery, it wont work.

I have seen the thread of faulty break light may cause the problem, I think they're fine apart from one of the LEDs on the top/third break light are not lighting up, I must admit I have problems changing into 1st gear or Reverse sometimes.

So, please, anybody got any advice

[MrPoo]

It wouldn't be brake light that's faulty, it's the brake switch you're referring to. Having no brake lights just indicates that the switch is broken, however it can be broken if they still work.

Does it give 3 lines where it should tell you which gear you're in?

[ypzhai]

It's not the brake light that's faulty, it's the brake switch you're referring to. Having no brake lights just indicates that the switch is broken.

Does it give 3 lines where it should tell you which gear you're in?

thank you for your reply, break light seems working and it does not give anything on the dash, its blank where big "N" should appear in between Trip & Time

[SuperStevie]

Not sure what it would be on a forfour, but I do believe there are some gearbox issues with the soft touch. Have a look on forfourowners.co.uk they might have more info that you need

[MrPoo]

Not sure what it would be on a forfour, but I do believe there are some gearbox issues with the soft touch.

I think the forfour has a smart gearbox IIRC, I suppose that would imply it would have the same faults as a fortwo/roadie. Never heard of it showing nothing on the gear indicator before though.

[JakeMM]

Is it still an automated manual or did they go for a full autobox with the for4?

[SuperStevie]

Its still a semo auto like the fortwo and roadster, but its a completly different gearbox

[H Palmer]

Here I come to save the day... I is back in da house!!

Right first off it's FFO you may want to trawl through for the gearbox thread, click my sig!

Secondly it is a Getrag box, 5 speed manual with 6th as override fitted with an electronic clutch.

Lastly the problem, where do i begin?

Lets see... fully depressed brake pedal?

Erm... software update via Merc solves most troubles.

Actuator sometimes needs replacing, the bit that shifts the gears basically a windscreen wiper motor! lol

Lastly and most recently is something to do with the clutch plate being modified.

If it's truly FUBAR'd then it's a new 'box in the region of £6000! (IIRC)

Hope this is of some use to you and your troubles are solved swiftly.

[ypzhai]

u bet Palmer, it was the Actuator that's broken, my local garage quoted me 395+vat for the parts from MB, does that sound good enough?

[JakeMM]

How is it actually broken? If it's similar to the fortwo one then try this. Saved me having a bill of 350 and I had no previous mechanical knowledge and managed to do it.

http://http://www.evilution.co.uk/index.php?id=533