Hi
After changing the steering column for a new one and putting the steering wheel back on I have these three lights on which I read on the site can happen, I have taken it to a Smart specialist to turn them off [Twice] without any joy. I contacted the MB dealer who just wants to put a new wheel on at a cost of 625pounds.
So what I need is any info to put this error right, has anyone got any ideas what can be done please.
The car is a fortwo 2004 silverpulse 700cc.

Thanks

It is possible that if you have bought a second hand column and steering wheel, that it was faulty and that would mean that no one could get the light to go off.

Didn't your "smart" guy have a replacement you could try? That would be the only real way of telling if the problem was with the wheel you bought or with some other part of the electronics.

John

Hi
Thanks for the reply. The column was new from MB, the wheel was the original with no fault before removal, the reason to change the column was the knuckle [UJ] was seized. As for the smart guy I don't know but shall call himto see if he has a wheel.

Ron

I assume you have read the info on steering wheel removal and refitting on Evilution.
http://www.Evilution.co.uk/index.php?id=521
Evilution mentions electronic adjustment of steering angle sensor. I also see it is possible for the cassette not be be correctly seated. I would have thought there would be no need for any electronic adjustment if steering wheel is refitted exactly as it was when removed. Maybe not as easily done in practice unless measurements are done before removal so one has reference points.

Thanks for the info. I have seen and read but cannot see what, where or how to adjust the angle sensor, however I do know that the black cassette was moved after the wheel removal without realising it.
So if I took it to a MB dealer would you think they could set it up as it should be rather than as one dealer said just put a new wheel on. Or is it possible to rotate the cassette until it I get it at the correct position.?

Regards





Ron

Perhaps you can remove steering wheel again and check of there is any indexing, marking or zero position so spline for sensor can be aligned with steering wheel.

if the black cartridge was moved after the wheel was removed and then replaced in the wrong position then the contact ribbons on the inside of the cartridge will be screwed up like a birds nest they are only designed to do so many turns eachway that is only part of your problem. dacfolke knows all about this with his

Must be really anoying when that happens. As regards Ron's problem I think all he needs do is check if wheel is centered, adjust as required and make sure the prongs match up.

Thanks for all your help, problem is now solved. What we did was, we took off the wheel marked a centre on the wheel turned the black cassette to the left counting the number of turns, then back to centre, same the other way and back to centre again. We then divided the amount of turns to equal, I think we were lucky that the ribbons were not broken.



Ron

Well done Ron.

Maybe you could post some additional words based on the lessons learnt, i.e. best practice for removing and refitting steering wheel and how to avoid costly dealer bills.

Cheers,
TK

Hi
I think that if I were to remove the steering wheel again I would just ease it off slightly until I could get some duck tape or the like to hold the cassette firmly, but with the experience I gained with it then I would have no fear of doing another. The important item is the checking of the cassette and centralizing it if it came from a salvage yard or similar. As I see it, it really is NOT critical that the cassette be bang on centre.
One more thing if you are in the S.Wales area and have a problem I know just the guy to solve it for you.
Hope this helps anyone in a similar situation.

Ron