Hyundai Repair: power locks/window fuse blown (repeatedly), slow blow fuse, fuse block


Question
QUESTION: A few months  ago the power window and door lock controls stopped working in my Elantra (2001). I located the fuse which had blown and replaced it. The locks/windows start working but after a couple of uses the fuse blows again. I replaced the fuse 4 or 5 times...but it blows up again in a short time. I feel something more serious is wrong with the electrical system which is overloading it.
What else could be wrong? How much would it cost to get the system inspected?

ANSWER: The only fuse I see which would affect both circuits is the 50A "BATT" slow blow fuse in the underhood fuse block.  Please verify with me which fuse is blowing.  It'll help me most if you can indicate the amperage of the fuse, which fuse box it's in, and how it's labeled on the fuse box cover.  With this information I can guide you on what to check.

The cost for inspecting for the cause of the blown fuse will depend on how much work is required to find the cause.  If it requires just a visual and operational inspection, it'll be relatively inexpensive.  On the other hand, if a large amount of disassembly and testing is required, it can get expensive very quickly.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The fuse that is blowing up is P/WDW fuse (30A) located in the underhood fuse block.

Answer
According to the schematic, this fuse powers only the power windows.  Your problem could be with:

1.  One of the window switches
2.  One of the window motors
3.  The power window relay
4.  Any of the wiring in the circuit between the fuse and the window motors.

If you have a supply of fuses, you can make some checks to see what causes the fuse to blow and what does not.  Since these fuses are a little more difficult to come by than the regular ATC and miniATC fuses, it's probably more economical and convenient to rig up a 30A 12V circuit breaker if you can.

Activate each window with each switch.  If the problem only occurs on one switch in one door (except the driver's door, which only has one switch-- in which case the motor in that door should be suspect as well), suspect the switch or the wiring in that door.  If the problem occurs on both switches activating one window, suspect the motor.  If the problem occurs in more than one door, suspect the master switch or the wiring in the driver's door.  If the problem occurs independent of activation of the window switch, suspect a wiring problem nearly anywhere in the circuit.

One problem I've seen on a few 2001 to 2003 Elantras is corrosion in the door harness connectors.  Hyundai has a very good technical service bulletin (TSB) regarding this problem.  You can view it at www.hmaservice.com-- you'll need to register for a free account, and the site requires Internet Explorer.  The TSB is TSB#06-90-008.