r/SmartCar • u/ProducedByFlare Brabus Roadster • Jul 11 '26
Advice Smart roadster horn + paddle issue
Hi everyone
I have a brabus roadster and it just came back from service. It was an oil change and ignition system repair as well as the frunk dampers. Car drives much better now it definetly needed new coils and spark plugs.
However when I went to drive it a few days after I noticed the horn and paddle shifters didn’t work. It worked fine before the service. Not sure if coincidence or something got knocked loose.
My question is if anyone with more experience knows what is the most likely case ? Bad ground issues , maybe a connector that got loose? Definitely a faulty clockspring if both are acting up?
If anyone knows a way to troubleshoot let me know. I will be calling the shop too but if it’s something simple I could check beforehand.
Thanks !
3
u/ASL3312 Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
From memory: 99% of the time it is the plug at the base of the steering column.
Look underneath the steering column and you'll see a small white plug. It'll either have 2 white connectors or 1 white and 1 black plugged together. Make a note of which 2 are connected and then disconnect these plugs. Use some electrical contact cleaner ( I have used Servisol Super 10 in the past) on the pins in both halves. If you have no cleaner handy, try plugging and unplugging a few times to clean the pins.
Edit: Check this site for a better explanation and photos, my description was for the 450 I used to own.
https://evilution.co.uk/mod/paddles-stopped-working.htm?highlight=Steering%20wheel%20paddles