forfour power loss despite new clutchy

[gemmawils]

Right I have a Smart Forfour Black 1.1 limited edition manual car, last October I ran into problems with the usual throttle control kicking off. I got fault codes P0223 and P1962 I got the ECU updated and contacts cleaned it still wasn't running right. After three or four trips to Smart Liverpool they said it was the clutch so I get a new clutch and its still losing power. I now suspect that after all it needs a new pedal gas sensor and or throttle control actuator. The revs are higher at idle than they used to be and the engine is very noisy past forty and sluggish in gear change. After four months of constant problems I have nearly given up on the car. It's done 62k and I'm going to see one last indie specialist on tues I am convinced that the gas pedal is faulty and the sensor is defective. Can anyone tell me what they think? At wits end and Mercedes Benz Liverpool very unhelpful and not unterested as car is 'old' in their eyes and keep trying to sell me a new Smart which I do not want.

[Jimmyrinse]

Re: forfour power loss despite new clutchy

Sounds like you may need to clean your map sensor and throttle valve, fairly easy and cheap jobs to do, there are plenty of guides around to show you how to do it

[gemmawils]

Re: forfour power loss despite new clutchy

Thanks :-) I'm not sure if my model has a map sensor or just mass air flow? I have had throttle cleaned twice but still no difference :-( I think the sensor is faulty :-(

[Jimmyrinse]

Re: forfour power loss despite new clutchy

Get one off a newish mitsubishi colt, there cheaper and easier to source or try removing it and spraying it with cleaner, it should be orange but will probably be black which is not good

[lalli_d1]

Re: forfour power loss despite new clutchy

this link should help you http://www.forfour.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=245.0

but googleling the codes its possible that you may need a new throttle pedal

[problemchild1976]

Re: forfour power loss despite new clutchy

Hi again - sorry to hear you are still having problems

These cars are highly reliable and nothing major normally goes wrong.

Normal power loss and bad running are sensors. I wouldn't trust generic fault codes. Could still be the throttle body.

What indie are you going to and do try have a star machine?

JJ

[Jimmyrinse]

Re: forfour power loss despite new clutchy

Throttle pedal sensor is easy to test using star machine so definitely use someone who has one!

I would give the map sensor a good clean 1st though as it takes 5 mins and could make all the difference! I had a similar problem with my forfour and a new sensor sorted it.

If you have an Obd reader (bluetooth one you can use with laptop or phone) you can check the readings from the map sensor and see if its giving wrong data causing your issue.

[gemmawils]

Re: forfour power loss despite new clutchy

Thanks for all advice :-) the man I am going to is a mini, merc and BMW specialist in Birkenhead Wirral. I will ask him about the star machine and will let you know about the Smart saga progression tomorrow :-) could someone tell me where the map sensor is? As I have had a spilt in my manifold last year but its got a new manifold which has three year guarantee if it splits again.

[Jimmyrinse]

Re: forfour power loss despite new clutchy

Its a plastic sensor attached to the throttle valve, just undo the bolt, unplug it and it pulls out

[gemmawils]

Re: forfour power loss despite new clutchy

No joy today :-( so after 6 trips to garages and back I've had enough so the Forfour will have be sold as driveable but faulty :-(
So if anyone interested in a Forfour 06 Black Edition 1.1, 62k plenty of tax and Mot till June let me know and ill take some pictures of it and put in for sale section on here.
Gemma

[problemchild1976]

Re: forfour power loss despite new clutchy

Did the mechanic have the star machine?

I can't believe there were error codes yet someone with a star machine couldn't diagnose it.

It's a shame you can't resolve it - you seem to be quite handy mechanically.

JJ

[gemmawils]

Re: forfour power loss despite new clutchy

Did the mechanic have the star machine?

I can't believe there were error codes yet someone with a star machine couldn't diagnose it.

It's a shame you can't resolve it - you seem to be quite handy mechanically.

JJ

Apparently the codes been wiped off after last diagnostic in Smart Liverpool, this specialist did not have star machine. I can't go back to Smart Liverpool as they are being nasty to me telling me there is nothing wrong with and how they can't be arsed with an older Smart. They kept saying it was the clutch but clutch been changed and its still running like a bag of poop :-( if anyone on here is local to me and can help me but I can't take any more garage trips only to be told once again there ain't nothing wrong with it :-(

[gemmawils]

Re: forfour power loss despite new clutchy

I am starting to suspect my ECU is having blips either that or the reteach they did for the ECU at Smart failed :-( SOS Smart mobile after four months of trouble I just want to cry like typical girl :-/ I've had such good fun for four years in this car its been great and I will be sad to see it go.

[mac999]

Re: forfour power loss despite new clutchy

I'd be interested in having a look at it.

Smart usually have good customer service,but it seems they are taking the piss out of you about this

[Jimmyrinse]

Re: forfour power loss despite new clutchy

You could try removing the battery terminal for 30 mins to reset the ecu, do that after cleaning the map sensor may make a difference.....

Your best diagnostic bet though is someone with a star machine or for £10 get your own obd reader and test the sensor yourself