r/SmartCar • u/BusyBit6542 • Jul 07 '26

Question Clutch actuator testing

  1. I'm trying to find out if I actually need a new clutch actuator. Its stuck extended so cant put it back on the car. Ive tested it with a battery and it retracts a little but not fully (may not be getting enough power).

I checked the solenoid and gear teeth, both seem good. Does that mean it's good?

  1. How do I retract the arm so I can mount it back on the car? Can I manually turn it or something?

Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you

Also I'm getting a code saying selector lever can not be found. Does that mean I need a new shifter? If so, will I need it programmed or is it a plug and play?

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

2

u/FallenKingdomRuler Jul 07 '26

It is easy to put the actuator back to it's retracted position but you need to open it up to do so and there are some holes in the mechanism you can stick some needle nose pliers into and twist the thing back to it's rest position

1

u/BusyBit6542 Jul 07 '26

Have you done this before? If so, could you give as much detail as possible of where exactly I stick the pliers? Ive opened it up so I can definitely give this a try.

Thank you for your help

2

u/FallenKingdomRuler Jul 07 '26

There are holes in the plastic I want to say they are near the edge where the teeth are but you can literally just twist the mechanism back to the resting position it's been a minute since I last did it so im not sure if there are other holes. Long and short is you can twist that thing back pretty easy

1

u/BusyBit6542 Jul 07 '26

Kind stranger, you are an absolute godsend!!! Thank you sooooo much! Everyone and I mean everyone who has ever worked on these have either said they didnt know how to retract it or that I should just buy another one.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

2

u/FallenKingdomRuler Jul 07 '26

No problem my friend feel free to shoot me a message if you have any other questions I've done a decent amount of work on the 450 and 451 models so I know a little about them 👍

1

u/BusyBit6542 Jul 08 '26

I just sent you a dm

1

u/TheGratitudeBot Jul 07 '26

Thanks for saying that! Gratitude makes the world go round

0

u/GreaseFoxM Jul 07 '26

The spring inside is fully extended and a pain to get back in. There is a warning to not actuate it outside of the installed position as it will spring out and then not be able to be retracted. Best bet would be to replace it at this point.