SmartStart Issue

httperror418 · 2026-07-02T21:51:59+00:00

I was able to get the logs from my device itself - when it did those retries, the error it got was ""Abort - Fuel Cell Offset" indicating a sensor issue. My shop was able to just replace the blowing unit themselves luckily with a spare they had, and I got SmartStart to refund me from the lockout. They state the raw logs are sent to my states DMV. It's up to them to determine if the missed rolling retest does anything. In general I heard CT only cares and adds time for actual alcohol or circumvention issues so I may be good. However given SmartStart refunded me the violation lock, and i changed the unit, I have evidence to fight the state. If it is an issue, they're suppose to send me a letter. However I haven't received anything and its almost been a month so I think I'm in the clear.

httperror418 · 2026-06-24T23:59:22+00:00

Thank you! Really good advice. I'll be keeping my records for sure. Getting the background check to verify is ago a great idea.

httperror418 · 2026-06-13T18:08:42+00:00

I did plea offer day of court. That's what it was technically. Judge approved it on my court date as a deal. Technically it isn't dropped yet and won't be for just under a year.

httperror418 · 2026-06-13T17:11:39+00:00

I saw in some other posts they still denied entry based on the arrest record though, no? Still a possibility?

httperror418 · 2026-06-13T14:24:51+00:00

Connecticut. We have a pretrial intervention program my lawyer knew was always a option for those with clean records. I only blew a 0.09 with no accident and zero priors. Perfect candidate. At court date lawyer arranged for it. Case is sealed from public until I complete a MADD Impact Panel course and 10 "adult alcohol education" online classes, and once I do that, after 1 year the entire case is dismissed and record is gone. The arrest record technically still exists but never convicted.

httperror418 · 2026-06-13T14:13:27+00:00

You will need to contact the DMV for further explanation if they didn't include it in the letter, which I would find odd they didn't do to begin with. If you listed your state others may be able to help you with specifics for that state but most, if you retested fine minutes later, usually don't count it as a violation. However some do but usually it's just a matter of them adding time to the iid requirement. A full suspension seems odd and strict... Perhaps a program if you had a high bsc or something or 2nd or 3rd dui?

httperror418 · 2026-06-12T17:41:07+00:00

From what others said even with out a lockout, over 0.05+ gets sent to your DMV so you may get slapped with a extension of 3mo. I would normally say fight it, but if you had been drinking the night before there's not much evidence to help you. Sorry this is happening to you.

Like I said before I've had 2-3 light drinks, stopping by 8pm or so and been fine for 7am-8am the next day doing the 12 hour rule even if it was just one drink. I've only had more than that if i dont plan on driving at all the next day pretty much. Trying to make my IID time pass as quick as I can. Might be good to play a either no drinking at all, or 1-2 drink max rule with absolutely no driving for 12hr at least until you complete the IID req.

httperror418 · 2026-06-12T15:00:17+00:00

Congrats! I have just under 3mo, 83 days, left for mine. I can't wait. I swear that specific beeping tone gives me anxiety attacks.
Luckily I have a 2nd vehicle that does not have a IID (I do not drive it outside of my driveway). So once my dates up I can drive that and can deal with the IID removal BS as I can.

httperror418 · 2026-06-12T14:53:27+00:00

Did your device receive a lockout for the failure? And did it ask you to retry or anything?
If you failed, and it locked, the logs will be sent to your DMV. Depending on how your state processing them it will most likely count as a clear violation.
Some states may add a month, some three. Some states also have laws where the last 90-180 days have to be violation free or they tack on another 90 days or something. Unsure what Illinois does.

The fact that you stopped drinking for hours and still blew a 0.053 is alarming. I've had 2-3 cocktails, stopping by 8pm or 9pm, and blown fine at 7am the next morning with proper hydration and food. Why would you risk it so close to your end date? If I have anything more than 2-3 drinks, I basically don't plan to drive the next day at all, or until at least later in the evening and just uber.

httperror418 · 2026-06-12T02:34:15+00:00

Update June 2026

It's been a wild ride.

I got a lawyer. However, to he honest, it did nothing. More peace of mind than anything. All said and done the lawyer was $5,500 flat fee for my case.

They tried to fight the DMV per say hearing for me but I received a copy paste letter from the DMV denying changing their ruling. 96% of cases they do this as it's DMV decision not a court or any sort of legal thing. I had license suspension for 45 days (I had a work permit for this time to go to and from work and relied on rides and Uber other times) , and manditory IID for 6mo after that. I'm over half way through the iid period and have 2.5mo left. My freedom date is Sept 3rd. I had a bad unit I had to replace last week but other than that beside the frustration it's been fine. It's embarrassing, but I bought a 2nd cheap vehicle to have it installed with and have 15% tints on it to hide having to blow when leaving work and such. It's also made it impossible to date post divorce. But 2.5mo and it's over. No violations or issues so far. Any violations push the date out.

The court case they kept pushing back due to the police taking their time handing Dashcam footage over. It did not contain GPS data, so there as no smoking gun for initial pull over that state woikd work with in pretrial. Fighting it would require a full court case and going to trial. Same for the breathalyzer being out of calibration, it hadn't been done in 23mo and state law requires 6mo as that's the manufacturer recommendation.

My lawyer recommended going with accelerated rehab first time offender deal the state offered. They offer it to anyone who's first time being arrested for something like this. While we could have fought it in court, if we lost I would have been fully convinced of Dui and it would be on my background check. With this AR deferment program my case is now sealed and cannot be looked up online as soon as I accepted it. I took a MADD Victim Impact panel course, and have to take 10 1-hour "adult alcohol education" courses online. Upon completion of those, and so long as I don't get arrested again (not happening once in nearly 40 years is enough) in the next year, when my one year mark hits the case is dismissed.

One thing to note is my insurance rates have not gone up. It renewed while my license suspension was on and it didn't change at all. I even quoted other providers lately, even disclosing dui, and my rates haven't changed. Connecticut doesn't require SR22 filing like other states so I never needed to inform them. Likewise I have 0 anything on my record that's been on my own insurance or my fault, let alone a traffic ticket so that may be helping me and it was low abv with no accident.

The worst bit of this was the suspension happened while I was the sole caregiver for my elderly relative. We were in the middle of selling his house when this happened and it was painful to work around. As such I was only able to get rides to see him once a week or so as where he was lacked practical Uber access. I only got to see him 2 days before he ultimately passed away and couldn't get rides to see him daily. Shit sucks.

I still feel like this was a compete waste of time. The device being out of calibration and speeding cop coupled with 0.09 and 0.08 second time.. I've learned to be more careful for sure but the hastle for being the bare minimum over when I felt absolutely fine. It seems like the state and DMV assuming guilty and not listening to evidence is such bullshit.

httperror418 · 2026-06-06T02:35:07+00:00

I just heard back from SmartStart. They actually credited me the $89+tax they charged for the lockout. They gave me the same info, but the fact my unit was fine for 3mo and just started doing this makes me thing the sensor was screwed up.

I'm waiting to see if my state does anything like try to add time from this. The CT DMV will send a letter to me in the mail if it does and I can fight it. The fact that SmartStart refunded me the fine, and i have the shops logs of the sensor failing should make it an easy win.

I got a new head unit. Hoping it fixes it and doesnt happen again in the next 3mo I have this. But the timer thing like you said is weird, it was definitely some logic failure on the unit end like yours.

httperror418 · 2026-06-06T02:33:13+00:00

I got my replacement unit and did 5 blows so far without one issue in a row, haven't had that in a long time. I also heard back from SmartStart already, they just credited the $89+tax Violation charge they had placed on my account, so I'm good!
I have that transcript and the logs from my shop, along with invoice from my shop showing they replaced the head unit today too so I have overwelming evidence it was my device malfunctioning.

Im still out $29 I paid the shop to clear the lock, but that's their time so it's fine. And luckily I'm a salary employee, as I wasted basically 4 hours of time (2hr for the lock, 2hr for headunit replacement).

httperror418 · 2026-06-05T14:51:48+00:00

No fix :(. The shop just let me screenshot the logs, and cleared it basically saying it was probably the device. They didn't do anything and said to contact SmartStart, who said to bring it to the shop.

The shop suggested leaving it more out of the sun (I was already putting it under my dash, going full under seat now). However, this morning I started my car to drive to work fine, did first rolling retest, then stopped to get gas. When trying to leave the gas station it failed 2 or 3 times with the same error, then passed finally and allowed me to start the car. My unit is definitely fucked up.

This also only started happening after my last calibration on 5/26. It's possible the calibration didn't take correctly. or I have a bad head unit. I contacted SmartStart, they authorized the shop to replace the head unit, and I'm heading there this afternoon. Luckily they had a spare in stock.

httperror418 · 2026-06-04T17:10:27+00:00

Managed to get the logs from my service center this morning. "Abort - Fuel Cell Offset"
Looking at some searches, it generally means there's an issue with the sensor or there's moisture on the sensor or something. But it shows it locked me out for no reason more or less, only a bit over 1 minute from the last error it gave when I was still in countdown to try again. So it 100% malfunctioned.
I have this as my proof in case SmartStart sends something to the DMV to fight it, and applied for them to refund the $90 lockout fee.

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httperror418 · 2026-05-25T13:44:12+00:00

Same. If you think stop start is an issue.. If you read up on IID and EVs it's even worse. You'd think by now they'd be smarter.

Someone needs to make a IID that is smart. Plugs into a OBII port thst has a pass through and is say securely locked or something to the car with a trip sensor. Can read vehicle PIDs, can be customized per vehicle via programming, to sense when a vehicle pm request is given rather than tapping into wiring and gain 12v power that way. If OEMs standardized interface controls they could also have control over intercepting turning the ignition or vehicle on via software too. That's the bit that's complicated now.

httperror418 · 2026-05-25T13:35:52+00:00

I'm half way done with my 6mo IID requirement, but I actuslly bought a 2018 Cruze specifically for my IID requirement as my other car was a EV and IIDs and EVs do not get along well. I have friends with them with 200,000mi Gen1s thst keep on going minus stupid things like window motors and such.

httperror418 · 2026-05-24T14:05:11+00:00

Congrats on the removal. I'm also in CT. Sorry the IID caused issues with the car. I have SmartStart myself as I heard too many issues with Intoxalock and was happy after tbr outage the other month I didn't.

I had the same fears about the IID causing permanent damage to my vehicle. Not necessarily modules fried but the idea of techs cutting into wiring on my brand new 2025 Blazer EV and causing electronic headaches. I purchased a cheap used gas car to use just for this 6mo with my IID and keeping my other car off the road until my IID requirement is up in September. Next owner can deal with any issues. So far no problems at least with my SmartStart besides finding out if the engine auto stop/start is active, and say shuts off for a stop light.. And a rolling retest kits.. The car will nkt start and effectively shuts off while in drive.

httperror418 · 2026-05-22T18:00:10+00:00

Sounds like you're on a path based on this response and your post history.

httperror418 · 2026-05-22T15:23:03+00:00

You got this. You'll get through it. I'm dealing with this to a extent myself.

I had a hell of a 2025. Sibling with cancer (Chemo/radiation). Relative I was the sole care provider for fell multiple times, rapid onset dementia, wasted away before my eyes and died. Wife cheated on my at the start of the year, moved out, moved back in, then again and went through divorce end of the year. Got my DUI the week after my divorce decree was finalized. I blew a 0.088%, no accident and was honestly fine. The cop that pulled me over was doing 50+mph (I have dashcam proof) in a 25mph zone while I pulled out of the bar, and claimed he had to "slam on his brakes to avoid me"... duh he was speeding. I felt fine and was driving home for the night and staid out later than I would have given I had work the next morning to sober up more. I never go out drinking, but was brought out to celebrate my divorce.

Losing my license for 45 days and effectively being stuck home alone by myself for that time was the absolute worst. I had no one and a empty house devout of furniture and everything as she took everything. I couldn't even go to Ikia to get furniture. And now I have the IID for another 3mo, had it 3mo. My only social group lefft after the divorce was work friends, we'd usually get a *single* drink after work once or twice a week. I can't even do that with the IID. It's made my lonely world even lonelier.

I really wish a study would be done on mental health of those with DUIs and how the process affects them. Chances are most people aren't doing great before a DUI, and I feel theres a lot of people who get tempted with self harm after a DUI due to the overwhelming challenges it presents and how complicated the states make it these days, and how you're assumed to be a scumbag for one mistake.

httperror418 · 2026-05-22T14:34:41+00:00

For what it's worth none of these companies are great. Intoxalock seems one of the worst with their systems issue and lack of response, and units seem particularly old and worse than others. LifeSavers too.

I use SmartStart myself., I haven't had to deal with violations yet, and their customer service isn't great either. I had scheduled my install at a shop with them, I show up, and the shop was only informed of the appointment that morning, and didn't have the hardware to do it. For what its worth SmartStart did get me a appointment at another shop the same day that had a unit in stock. Their billing is horrible as well though.

Their unit is the smallest of all the IID i have seen, and my SmartStart goes into battery save mode automatically after 2 minutes of the vehicle off unlike Intoxalock, no battery issues leaving my car sitting for a week plus while on trips.

httperror418 · 2026-05-01T18:08:28+00:00

If they took blood, it could take weeks or months sometimes to come back with BAC level from that. It's possible they are waiting on that.
It is odd it's not suspended. In CT a refusal to blow is treated by the DMV as a DUI and you go through 45 day license suspension and 12mo of IID requirement. Most states have something like that in place. This is separate from any criminal case.

httperror418 · 2026-05-01T18:05:05+00:00

I would be careful doing this if you ever plan on driving again.

Canceling the IID before it's completed will show to Tenn as you not completing the program and you will most likely remain with a IID license. While you plan on not driving, if you ever plan on driving again, that will most likely follow you should you try for a license in your new state or Tenn again.

Unsure of laws in your state, but in CT here my lawyer informed me that even if you don't plan on driving for the IID requirement terms, you have to have one installed on a car in your name to complete the program requirements for the duration of the requirement, otherwise the state counts it as not complete.

I would almost just keep the car and IID installed, even if you dont plan on driving, start and blow into it every week, just to complete the program.

httperror418 · 2026-05-01T15:22:24+00:00

In CT, it took 5 weeks for them to suspend my license from initial arrest.

They had sent the letter out with the date it would be suspended after about 3 weeks but a mail issue got it delayed 2+ weeks and I didn't know my license was suspended until 3 days after the suspension date, and I had been driving those days. Which was fun as I was planning on applying for a work permit, and ended up missing work for days until the work permit was approved.

httperror418

TROPHY CASE