Smart Car starter motor replacement troubles
Discussion
Hello,
Asking for a friend
She has the car with a local garage who say they cannot fix the duff starter motor, finding it impossible to get access. They have advised that the car be scrapped. This has left my (rather elderly) neighbour in a bit of a tizz.
It must be fixable right? Is it just a complicated/difficult job?
The car is a 2004 Smart Passion with 64,000 on the clock, It's not worth much but it means a lot to her.
What do you think - can it be fixed for a reasonable price? There are online mechancs who will visit, are these worth investigating?
Thank you.
Asking for a friend
She has the car with a local garage who say they cannot fix the duff starter motor, finding it impossible to get access. They have advised that the car be scrapped. This has left my (rather elderly) neighbour in a bit of a tizz.
It must be fixable right? Is it just a complicated/difficult job?
The car is a 2004 Smart Passion with 64,000 on the clock, It's not worth much but it means a lot to her.
What do you think - can it be fixed for a reasonable price? There are online mechancs who will visit, are these worth investigating?
Thank you.
If it is that difficult to access then a mobile mechanic trying to sort it on the driveway with no prior experience and no lift may also find it a bit of a challenge to do.
Edit:
I searched ‘smart car starter replacement’ on YouTube and a quick look seems to show that the rear subframe with engine has to be dropped out, if this is correct then definitely not something many mobile mechanics would want to do on a driveway.
I see you are in the ‘West Country’, it may be worth you searching for smart car specialists in your area. Here is the first one I found on Google in Somerset:
https://smart-autos.co.uk/workshop/
Edit:
I searched ‘smart car starter replacement’ on YouTube and a quick look seems to show that the rear subframe with engine has to be dropped out, if this is correct then definitely not something many mobile mechanics would want to do on a driveway.
I see you are in the ‘West Country’, it may be worth you searching for smart car specialists in your area. Here is the first one I found on Google in Somerset:
https://smart-autos.co.uk/workshop/
Edited by Scrump on Friday 22 April 12:39
cml said:
Hello,
Asking for a friend
She has the car with a local garage who say they cannot fix the duff starter motor, finding it impossible to get access. They have advised that the car be scrapped. This has left my (rather elderly) neighbour in a bit of a tizz.
It must be fixable right? Is it just a complicated/difficult job?
The car is a 2004 Smart Passion with 64,000 on the clock, It's not worth much but it means a lot to her.
What do you think - can it be fixed for a reasonable price? There are online mechancs who will visit, are these worth investigating?
Thank you.
of course most things can be fixed...sometimes odd vehicles like that may need substantial taking apart for minor items.Asking for a friend
She has the car with a local garage who say they cannot fix the duff starter motor, finding it impossible to get access. They have advised that the car be scrapped. This has left my (rather elderly) neighbour in a bit of a tizz.
It must be fixable right? Is it just a complicated/difficult job?
The car is a 2004 Smart Passion with 64,000 on the clock, It's not worth much but it means a lot to her.
What do you think - can it be fixed for a reasonable price? There are online mechancs who will visit, are these worth investigating?
Thank you.
I'm near sure I've heard some of them require engine removal for rather mundane things ?
I'd doubt it's worth very much ?
Thanks for the replies. I found the Smart Workshop in Shepton Mallet who were very helpful. Most garages didn't want to know and didn't bother quoting, or getting back in touch even, including two Mercedes dealers.
The job requires dropping the rear sub-frame, removing the manifold, and various other bits before dropping the engine: hence hours of garage time to fit an £80 part. it'll cost from £517. From the sypmtoms it may actually be a siezed alternator instead, but the job is no simpler. Not sure if VAT is included, I assume it is. And she would have to add getting the car to them, and a new battery. Basically about two-thirds of the car's value (ouch).
After some soul-searching she is giving the car to a familty member to fix/sell or whatever.
This has put me off Smart cars though - such a basic job practically trashes a nice motor.
Anyway, panic over. The car is being collelcted shortly.
The job requires dropping the rear sub-frame, removing the manifold, and various other bits before dropping the engine: hence hours of garage time to fit an £80 part. it'll cost from £517. From the sypmtoms it may actually be a siezed alternator instead, but the job is no simpler. Not sure if VAT is included, I assume it is. And she would have to add getting the car to them, and a new battery. Basically about two-thirds of the car's value (ouch).
After some soul-searching she is giving the car to a familty member to fix/sell or whatever.
This has put me off Smart cars though - such a basic job practically trashes a nice motor.
Anyway, panic over. The car is being collelcted shortly.
Edited by cml on Tuesday 26th April 22:02
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