Smart Electric ForTwo EV Battery Replacement/Swap

A quick video detailing the process of replacing/swapping a high voltage battery in a Smart ForTwo electric vehicle.

[@CafeElectric]

Thanks for making this video! I just used it as instruction to pull my first Smart battery and it all went smoothly. Notes for others doing this: Remember to pull the plastic clip holding the low voltage harness to the battery. Also, the tube below the HV connection is some sort of vent tube and its collar is a pull to release fitting like an air line.

[@stefanstoove9254]

I think the plastic tube allows expansion of air as battery heats, although could be something else.

[@CroAuslander]

How much did the battery replacement cost? Thanks!

[@stefanstoove9254]

This was taken from another written-off vehicle. Estimates usually in the $5000-$10000 range for 2nd hand batteries with 4 hours of professional labour. Cheers

[@Iamandthatiam]

au or US dollars? @@stefanstoove9254

[@jhaspease7322]

Thanks for sharing. Glad to see that you were able to replace the battery. I wonder what are cost 1) to buy the new battery 2) to install it?

[@stefanstoove9254]

About a days work and a second hand parts sourced vehicle, may cost anywhere between a few thousand to ten thousand dollars. Cheers

[@Adam-py3qp]

Did the battery need programming?

[@kennethking8208]

Is the a battery isolation "pill" that you removed prior to disconnecting the battery?

[@ChrisTheLaCat]

Very interesting. Have you checked the damaged battery for faulty cells? The capacity of the original Smart battery is a bit outdated, and I would expect much interest in being able to upgrade the range in these cars.

[@stefanstoove9254]

Hi! We have not tested this pack yet but would be interesting to know! The battery itself is still sitting around in the workshop but our guess was likely to be dead internally so not worth the effort to strip down. Cheers

[@antoniozapien3265]

Does it need to program

[@antoniozapien3265]

I install my to my car but it doesn’t charge

[@teddystoner8288]

How many miles on original battery? Was it rapid charged? Why did it fail? I only 110 volt slow charge mine.

[@stefanstoove9254]

This was an import, which arrived with a dead battery in New Zealand. No other reason as far as I know. Cheers

[@MarkCrouch-m1k]

I have one with battery issue the won't warranty still in warranty period any help ? Only has 18,000 miles

[@hsapien415]

The question as to whether the replacement battery had to be programmed was never answered. Also, I have read that if the accessory battery drops too low in voltage, the traction battery goes into safe mode and then has to be programmed. It seems that if the accessory battery is not connected to the traction battery, then the traction battery would go into this safe mode... Last, what type of coolant did you use? Thanks in advance for your reply, as I will need to replace my battery soon.

[@stefanstoove9254]

Interesting. We never had to program the battery, but suspect it should need programming for optimal pairing with the vehicle.

[@GrOmaha]

Didn't see any coolant added. Is that part of the replacement battery. Does it circulate through a radiator?

[@stefanstoove9254]

Not shown in this video. The coolant must be re-added to the cooling system.

[@Hillyer12345]

Well, where do you add the coolant? That was the only reason I watch the video lol

[@tonycastelli2478]

What is the cost of a new battery. Does Mercedes service the Smart fortwo? Thanks

[@stefanstoove9254]

2nd-hand batterie packs typically run between $5000-10000. Not sure on the answer about servicing, but would assume so. Cheers

[@badtoro]

Coolant lines? Did u reconnect them?

[@stefanstoove9254]

Yeah mate

[@Christopher_Arias_CRC]

Where is the Pyro Fuse located?

[@stefanstoove9254]

Hi. I would assume inside the battery pack? We never opened the battery, just swapped them. Cheers

[@door2416]

It's a shame that the price of a battery usually exceeds the value of the vehicle.

[@roguebullet4220]

Great video, thanks for sharing 👍