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Image 1 — "Drive Sys Engine Off" - any way to fix?
Image 2 — "Drive Sys Engine Off" - any way to fix?
▲ 11 r/SmartCar

"Drive Sys Engine Off" - any way to fix?

In late November 2025 I acquired a 2014 Smart Fortwo with about 4000 miles. Previous owner was extremely attentive to maintenance.

Because I don't live in the area, I left the Smart car in an enclosed garage all winter. This may have been unwise!

When I tried to start the car in March, I received the error message, "Drive Sys. -> Engine Off" and "Do Not Tow Away."

I worried that maybe the 12V had died--it had NEVER been replaced in twelve years!--so, in June, with some difficulty, I installed a new 12V. Turns out this was not the problem--same error message, "Drive Sys. -> Engine Off." Also it seemed like every possible warning light was on (which may have been true in March too--I just didn't take a picture).

Here are some photos:

u/James_Nostack — 16 hours ago
▲ 5 r/SmartCar

2013 Fortwo won't crank - all lights are lit on dash

Hey all -
I've got my daughter's car on my back patio for a couple years now and have tinkered with it on and off during that time.
It is finally time to either get it going or donate it somewhere.

The issue is:

  • New battery so voltage is there
  • No codes thrown on my Autel diagnostic box - shows key is fine, even, when attempting to start
  • All dash lights come on when key is turned
  • No start - no cranking at all
  • I hear fuel pump start
  • I hear transmission switch click when trying to pull it out of part
  • P is shown on dash when trying to start
  • All door locks work with key fob
  • All fuses checked out including the main 200amp link off battery
  • I think that's it?

So I believe it could be one of two things - either the SAM unit is bad on some relay or the main wire going to the starter solenoid is corroded or broken. Does that seem about right?
Issue with the solenoid wire is getting to it to check - I think it is on the passenger side but I can't seem to find it when up on a jack stand looking up and, I have to admit, I am a bit paranoid about being under there!

Any thoughts on something I might be missing?

TIA!

reddit.com
u/guydonges — 2 days ago
▲ 7 r/SmartCar+1 crossposts

Hallo vielleicht kann jemand per ferndiagnose helfen. Was ist mit meinem Smart?? :((

u/Ju_Qa — 3 days ago
▲ 4 r/SmartCar

Malfunction Visit workshop warning

I have a recurring issue with my 2018 smart forfour where this malfunction message will turn up following a short break between journeys. The car will be fine, I’ll park up somewhere for 5-10 minutes and then next thing when I turn the car back on this pops up. The car is functioning perfectly fine (apart from this warning) which is frustrating. My local dealership don’t seem to know what the issue is and from what I’ve read online it could be a software / battery / fuse issue? If anyone has any experience with this issue I’d love to know any / all solutions!

u/katietmcnulty — 3 days ago
▲ 3 r/SmartCar

Smart 2008 ForTwo - won’t start, won’t shift out of neutral

Driving along yesterday, driving slowly in traffic when car started to slow further and made possible sounds from the gearbox. Had it in automatic, in 2nd at the time but then dash claims to be in 3rd (which is definitely should not have been.)
The A on the dash then started flashing.

Once I applied breaks fully, the car put itself into Neutral (stick was still in drive position) and the engine died.

Put stick into Neutral and tried to start the car, but the N on the dash flashed and the car wouldn’t start.

Once the car had been moved to a safe place, I tried to start it again. The N was no longer flashing, but the car would not start. It doesn’t even attempt to start the engine, it just makes a single click and then nothing.

Today, I have checked all the fluids, and the battery. Car has a full tank of petrol, it was only filled up last weekend. Everything appears to be fine. The dash comes on and goes through its normal sequence. The radio is working.

However, now the car will not only not start, but it won’t select reverse or first. The N stays solid, previously when I’ve had issues with changing gears, the N has flashed, but it is now not doing that.

Has anyone else had this issue? Wondering if it’s likely to be fixable at a reasonable cost, or if it’s just a write off at this point.

reddit.com
u/Rune_blood — 4 days ago
▲ 9 r/SmartCar

Monthly Smart Story Thread

What have you been up to with your Smarts this month? Any fun journeys? Carried a particularly large item somewhere?

Tell us about it! Let's share our love for these cars.

reddit.com
u/AutoModerator — 5 days ago
▲ 7 r/SmartCar

HELP!!! 3 lines problem but reset isnt working. Can't find any mention of this problem sound online.

2009 Smart 451 Passion (US)

Car ran fine for since I bought it 2 months ago. Unbeknownst to me, the AC drain line was clogged and a bunch of water pooled in the battery compartment. I parked on a steep incline and after a few minutes, I wasnt able to put it in reverse. The shifter was stuck. I turned it off and back on to see 3 lines on the dash. I was able to push the car up a bit and a friend was able to put it in reverse.

The car wouldnt start so I towed it home.

I dried up all the water and had the battery tested. Autozone said it was good.

I found online about the 40 amp fuse for the Transmission Control Module. The fuse was blown. I replaced it but everytime I tried to start the car, the fuse would blow.

I replaced the tcm with one in my brothers 2008 smart 451. While on the trailer, my 2009 seemed normal. I didnt have to reset the gear (although I went through them just in case). As soon as I started reversing it threw the 3 lines and became stuck. It was on a decline so I tried to put it in neutral but it wouldnt move then it like slipped in N and rolled off the ramps.

Back to the 3 lines again. I put the tcm back in my brothers 2008 and it ran perfectly (i drove it around all day). I swapped it back into my 2009 and removed the clutch actuator. I lubricated that and put it back on in the same position it was in.

The 3 lines were gone, it displayed the gears as I cycled through them. It started up and ran normal. It didnt make the noise heard in the video. I put it in neutral and pushed it off the ramps. I put it in reverse and backed up a few feet. As soon as I put it on Drive, the 3 lines appeared and it was stuck again.

Ive tried adjusting the clutch actuator and nothing. I see the spring arm move on it at the very end of the noise cycle in the video. It retracts into the actuator (its being pushed) and stays there. When I loosen the bolts, it springs out.

I'm currently sitting with the clutch actuator off again, searching for answers. Do I need to check the transmission fluid? Is the clutch or gearbox bad? Is the transmission bad?

Please, any advice would be greatly appreciated!

u/BusyBit6542 — 7 days ago
▲ 2 r/SmartCar

Which one of these is the “Shutoff Valve Of The Coolant”?

For model 453, year 2016, which one do I buy, to fix code P26AB and where is it located? Really confused and never buying this car again.

u/Equivalent_Crazy_436 — 6 days ago
▲ 8 r/SmartCar

What is this?

I took the seats out to deep clean my car, and I saw this. Does anyone know what this connector goes to? I found it this way.

u/L0n3St4r_ — 7 days ago
▲ 6 r/SmartCar

Has anyone have a check engine light with code “P26AB” and left it alone without issues?

I‘m struggling financially and can’t afford car repairs right now. so far my Smart Fortwo 453 model isn’t having any issues even with the engine light on. Should I just leave it as is since there’s nothing bad happening. Everything seems to be normal. This will be my last smart car. I’m just so fed up with parts being hard to find and how no matter how much I take care of it there’s always a check engine light appearing every few months. And mechanics having zero clue on how to work on these cars.

reddit.com
u/Equivalent_Crazy_436 — 7 days ago
▲ 42 r/SmartCar

[Embargo Lifted!] I was one of 14 people invited to the smart #2 interior premiere in Rome. Here’s everything I saw.

Hey everyone,

I was recently invited by smart Europe to head out to Rome on June 12th for a highly secretive world premiere event for the smart #2. Now that the NDA embargo has officially lifted (as of June 22nd!), I can finally share what went down. (apologies this didnt come sooner, the weather has been unbelievable here in the UK and I have not been able to get even within a metre of my desktop PC)

First off, stepping out of FCO and making the journey into the city, it immediately made sense why Rome was chosen for this. I have never seen so many smart cars in one place. The streets are absolutely packed with early 450s and 453s, though ironically, not many of the newer '#' series to be seen!

I was just one of 14 people from across Europe invited to this, alongside a few guys from smart-emotion.de and some other communities such as The Real Smart Car Owners Club. We had to sign strict NDAs right at the door before moving forward.

So, what were we there for?

The media already got a glimpse of the exterior concept car back in April, but the interior has been a complete mystery. This event was strictly for the interior design release.

We started off with access to the concept car itself, followed by a presentation led by Lars Ofterdinger (Social Media Lead for smart Europe), along with the overall #2 designer, the Electric Compact Architecture (ECA) Platform designer, and the interior designer.

https://preview.redd.it/bryxabhjkt9h1.jpg?width=6000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5246fe9bd3c154acc5bc6c0687deb4ff616df9cc

https://preview.redd.it/ju595bhjkt9h1.jpg?width=6000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7b6cbeabd49851a3881657ae637b198359ef73d5

https://preview.redd.it/cj9bzbhjkt9h1.jpg?width=3936&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d27d692fc2465ea6c8ba5c5e769c73a5dd83c606

https://preview.redd.it/pr56tbhjkt9h1.jpg?width=6000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=587325a60e030260b02a29b1a1d43fa2b09f9a39

https://preview.redd.it/kgvtabhjkt9h1.jpg?width=6000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=133a312665708c937d58d4f3e194b111fd5f2dc5

https://preview.redd.it/x96fpdhjkt9h1.jpg?width=3936&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=492fa722b5a534ab02c1716804eeb0cf4c8255ec

https://preview.redd.it/ge7xubhjkt9h1.jpg?width=3936&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5c58ae77bf1f00708afc654c7217f2ad54e7b890

After that, we were led into the hall where the interior platform was set up. Security was tight, phones were either handed over or had stickers slapped over the camera lenses to enforce the embargo.

The smart #2 Interior Details

Even though it’s still in the concept design phase, we got full access to sit in and explore the cabin. Here are my biggest takeaways:

  • Classic Throwbacks: The dash is curved with large air vents, giving a really nice nod to the original 450.
  • Bench-Style Seating: This is a game-changer. The front is practically a bench seat. The window switches are relocated between the driver and passenger, meaning there is absolutely no centre console, gear lever, or handbrake blocking your way. You can easily get in on one side and just slide right across to the other door completely unhindered.
  • Cargo & Storage: The passenger seat is conventional but designed to lie completely flat to maximise carrying capacity. There are clever storage spaces everywhere, and the team mentioned plans for an ecosystem of add-on accessories to personalise the cabin even further.

https://preview.redd.it/vxnj36fckt9h1.jpg?width=12850&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fa88f8025388f012ac198a47e9108cc73b680f7e

https://preview.redd.it/mut5h8fckt9h1.jpg?width=2000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=974d515e47b9e05ecd02cfbc2fff9b1a36011ac3

https://preview.redd.it/gsfsg5fckt9h1.jpg?width=2000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=46bf82727cef49778b62db3a801edbe3cfee9766

https://preview.redd.it/bm0nf5fckt9h1.jpg?width=2000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b143da6d3eac27a36b4a07a98a49640d7ca3b882

https://preview.redd.it/rmnxi6fckt9h1.jpg?width=2000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9992a311d442339ddbbe29a37ae0df1e8b25a712

Final Thoughts

Overall, it genuinely feels like they’ve managed to capture the spirit of the original Fortwo while keeping a firm grip on the modern, fully electric '#' series identity. It’s unapologetically built for the city driver, and you can tell the design team really focused on bringing the fun and the "want" back to driving a smart. Smart also mentioned the modularity of the new EV platform that underpins the #2, suggesting there could be variants built on this platform.... personally, I hope that might include a new Roadster!

With all that said, sadly, smart confirmed that the #2 will not be going to the US, and I'd imagine that is most likely due to tariffs....

From a personal perspective, it was an absolute honour to be invited, and I met some truly wonderful people. Saw parts of Rome that I would never have seen otherwise and met some great new friends in the community. Smart really does have a wonderful following, and that includes all of you here on the subreddit. I'm constantly impressed by your kindness, willingness to help and share with all of us here at r/smartcar, long may it continue.

Let me know if you guys have any questions about what I saw and I'll do my best to answer them in the comments!

reddit.com
u/halfwoodenjacket — 9 days ago
▲ 38 r/SmartCar+1 crossposts

I replaced the turbo on my Smart Roadster 452 myself — here's how it went

A few months ago my Roadster started losing power and smoking. Took it to a mechanic who quoted me an eye-watering amount just for labour. So I decided to do it myself.

Honestly, it's not an easy job. You have to remove the rear bumper, crash bar, exhaust, intercooler pipes, TIK pipe, EGR pipes, oil and coolant hoses before you can even touch the turbo. But once you know the order of operations, it's very doable without a workshop.

Used a BR Turbo replacement kit. Car passed technical inspection after and drives better than it has in years.

I documented the whole process in a full 1 hour video if anyone is planning the same job:

https://youtu.be/r9J5BO7jGpw

Happy to answer questions — has anyone else done this themselves or did you take it to a shop?

u/One-Yak-7303 — 8 days ago
▲ 3 r/SmartCar

Can I reattach my fallen mirror long enough to drive 80-100 miles to the nearest scrapyard for the part(s)?

It appears that my mirror has seen better days, and I don't have another car at this time. Is there a way to reattach this mirror without having to constantly put it back on?

u/L0n3St4r_ — 8 days ago
▲ 111 r/SmartCar

It's gone, farewell

Hi everyone,

My smart car is gone 😢😢😢. Sold to someone who is going to fix it and sell it. Sad to see it go though.

I'm off too. This is a lovely group, thanks for having me. Keep up the buying, selling, modding, fixing and more fixing these fantastic cars 😘😘😘

u/mr-tooley — 10 days ago
▲ 34 r/SmartCar

A little project of mine

I am the proud owner of a 2005 Roadster. As some of you might know, finding spare parts is not easy since Smart seems focused on electric SUVs nowadays and has stopped making them. I have stumbled upon some used parts, but Xenoy tends to get brittle after a few years of being exposed to the elements. Also they are quite epansive and I didn't want to spend hundreds of euros to get a part that was already brittle.

I am also the proud owner of a 3D printer, which is how I managed to fix the spare parts issue. I started with a 3D scan of the part. Because it was too big for the printer, I split it into sections and printed them out of ASA. I fused the sections together using a soldering iron, extra filament, steel wool, and steel mesh. Afterward, I sanded it, used some filler, and applied paint to make it smoother and match the color (I am not quite there yet).

The new part fits perfectly. I have had it on the car for a couple of weeks and have had no problems so far.

u/Ardenstar — 11 days ago
▲ 2 r/SmartCar

Right when I become unemployed, this happens. I can’t find the replacement part online/anywhere :(

I can’t find the shutoff valve for 2016 model 453 anywhere. Parts for this car is getting so hard to find these days.

u/Equivalent_Crazy_436 — 9 days ago