Paddles Stopped Working

Mod Description

If your paddleshift has stopped working or is temperamental then here are a few tips

Mod Details

PremiumNo Difficulty Mod ID827 Creditevilution For Linkhttps://www.evilution.co.uk/mod/paddles-stopped-working.htm Copy to Clipboard

Paddleshift Faults

A paddleshift fault will usually come under 1 of 3 main faults.

1 – The paddle(s) do nothing
2 – The paddle(s) sometimes work
3 – The paddle(s) sound the horn

The paddleshift works on a resistance differential system. A set voltage is sent to the steering wheel and the return voltage is measured. The horn, up paddle and down paddle have different resistances so the car can easily work out what of the 3 functions were being used.

What Causes The Fault?

Every electrical component has a built in resistance as standard, even the connecting wires. Resistances change slightly depending on the temperature too so the design of the resistance differential circuit has to take into account a slight possible change.

However, components such as connectors and switches can become contaminated with corrosion or oxidisation through arcing. Both of which increase the resistance of the item.

Eventually the resistance increases to the point were it is outside of the set parameters. Then the paddles stop doing anything. If the resistance changes enough it can cause the paddleshift, when pulled singularly or together, to sound the horn. I’m also seeing the failure of the PCBs in the speedo and SAM unit.

So, What’s The Fix?

The switches and connectors need cleaning to bring their internal resistance back down. The best stuff to use is a proper switch cleaning spray. Don’t use WD40.

Old Style 450 Paddleshift Wheel

The old style paddleshift wheel has square openings where the paddles emerge. A bolt is removed from under each paddle arm to remove them. Underneath the removed paddle you will find a spring and a switch. On this model of wheel it is usually the switch at fault.

Spray in and around the switch with switch cleaner. Press and release the switch a load of times to allow the cleaner to work into the switch and clean the contacts.

There is also a gear change board that’s plugged in underneath the gear level unit.

New Style 450 & Roadster Paddleshift Wheel

The new style paddleshift wheel has D-shape openings where the paddles emerge. The paddles just pull off to show the workings underneath although generally, in this model, you do not need to remove the paddles to fix the fault.

You can, if you wish, spray the switch and cicuit board under the paddles with a switch cleaner spray, refit the paddles and pull them a load of times to clean the switch.

It could also be a bad connection to the speedo and SAM unit, inside the speedo or SAM unit, damaged components or tracks inside the speedo or SAM unit. However, generally it is a problem with the connector under the dashboard.

Fortwo 450

The connector is usually just above your shins.

You will find a white and a black connector (both circled above) and 1 of them will be connected to a white connector. Pull the connection apart and clean both with switch cleaner spray before pushing them back together. 9 times out of 10 this will fix the shifting fault.

Roadster

This one is generally harder to locate as it’s hidden above the fuse box (SAM unit). Lower the fuse box and have a look towards the back for a black plug in a white housing. More photos here.

You will find a white and a black connector (arrowed above) and 1 of them will be connected to a white connector. Pull the connection apart and clean both with switch cleaner spray before pushing them back together. 9 times out of 10 this will fix the shifting fault.

From 2017 I am starting to see more paddle failures due to faulty speedos. They are affected by the water ingress  that plagues Roadsters so often. The water evaporates and condenses on the speedo PCB (and SAM unit PCB).

This can cause the PCB to swell enough that it breaks through connections. Once it is underneath, the corrosion spreads. There is no fixing this.

Fortwo 451 Paddleshift Wheel

So far there have been no reports of paddle failure on this type.

If you have bought a paddleshift steering wheel and the paddles don’t work, it could be the wiring. Smart altered the wiring when they face-lifted the 451 in September 2010. If you fit a pre facelift wheel to a post facelift car or vice-versa, it will not work until you swap the 2 wires over. This is detailed here.

Forfour Paddleshift Wheel

So far there have been no reports of paddle failure on this type.

Speedo Change

This is unlikely but it’s worth covering just in case. If you have put in a different speedo and the paddles stopped working, it’s because the speedo is the controller that holds the paddle shift coding. So whatever 2nd hand speedo you put in simply isn’t coded.