QuestionDear Sir or Ma'am,
My HYUNDAI SANTE FE HAS 81,000 MILES on it (Mostly highway travel between Norfolk VA and Groton CT). I was traveling yesterday to Groton CT and I was unable to go above 40mph. I RECENTLY had my timing belt and water pump replaced in Oct 2009 $1750.00.
As I was driving I depressed my clutch and it stuck into the floorboard. I was unable to start or move my car and had it towed to a AAA Auto Repair Station where they are troubleshooting now. They told me they will have to "Drop the Transmission to troubleshoot which cost $800.00 before I even know what the problem actually is (They believe it is either the clutch mechanism or the transmission). What is the average price to replace the transmission for a 2004 Hyundai? I am a little discouraged as I just spent over $1700.00 for a new timing belt. Could the timing belt replacement have anything to do with the present problem? Please advise. Thank you for your time.
AnswerFirst, let me say that I'm not sure all the symptoms here add up to just one issue.
Not being able to go faster than 40MPH could be caused by anything that would affect engine performance, or in the case of your vehicle, also anything that would make the clutch slip. I can't think of any reason it would be caused by anything actually inside the transmission.
As for the clutch sticking to the floorboard, that typically occurs when the clutch fluid leaks out, causing insufficient pressure in the system to cause the clutch pedal to raise when released. I suppose it's possible that your pressure plate or release bearing-- part of the clutch system-- has failed. I'm thinking that the pressure plate could cause both the above symptoms, but I've never seen nor heard of such a failure.
The not starting sounds like yet another issue. Assuming the starter won't crank the engine, I'm left wondering whether the clutch pedal won't go all the way down (instead of being stuck all the way to the floorboard). There's a switch the clutch pedal contacts when it's fully depressed that allows the electrical starting signal to the starter. If you're unable to fully depress the clutch, contact won't be made with the switch, and the starter will not receive any power when the key is turned.
I'm surprised the shop isn't able to figure out whether the issue is in the transmission or clutch without disassembly. While it's theoretically possible, I don't recall ever seeing a case where such a determination is impossible.
I also don't have a very good understanding of exactly what was occurring, mostly because I wasn't driving the vehicle at the time, and many details are difficult for a layperson to clearly describe. If my understanding of the situation is correct, I doubt it has anything to do with the timing belt, but it's important to note that timing belt issues can cause engine performance problems. Additionally, $1700 for a timing belt and water pump seems a bit high. I'm hoping you had other work done at the same time to bring the total that high.
If you can answer the following questions, it'll help me figure out what was occurring:
-- which engine do you have in your Santa Fe? (2.4L 4 cyl or 2.7L V6)
-- is it front or four wheel drive
-- when you couldn't drive faster than 40mph, was the engine rpm higher than normal? Do you know what gear you were in and what the approximate rpms were? I'm assuming 40MPH. If you were at a different speed, let me know.
-- Up until the problem occurred, could you shift between gears normally?
-- During the problem, could you shift between gears normally?
-- After the clutch pedal stuck down, could you shift between gears normally?
-- Were there any loud rattling or knocking noises?
-- When the engine wouldn't start, did the starter turn the engine?
-- If the starter didn't turn the engine, did you hear a click from the engine area when attempting to start the vehicle?
-- When the clutch pedal stuck to the floor, was it possible to pull it back up with your foot or hand?
