QuestionI have a 2000 Hyundai Tiburon, I thought this was going to be a easy fix. I am 21 and have a fairly good knowledge of repairing engine problems along with electrical. I recently bought this car from a private party. After diving into this I have found a bad exhaust leak in the intermediate pipe where it flexes, also the front driver side wheel speed sensor for the abs is on. The problems that I am having are that the ABS light is on – I am guessing due to the wheel speed sensor. Second the brake light is on – but this came on after I replaced the drivers’ side rear caliper – it was faulty and leaking. But I have bled the brake system three times now and can’t seem to get it off. Lastly the car occasionally starts extremely hard. By this I mean that it takes 2 and sometimes even 3 cranks before it starts and then there is a cloud of smoke and you can smell gas. It seems to me that there is a problem with the sensor because half the time you turn the key and it fires right up with out one problem. I think I can get the ABS light off but I am confused about the car not wanting to start. The dealership is telling me that I need a whole new manifold and that the brake light is on because one rear hub is very loose? I think they are pulling my chain. Would the exhaust leak cause the car to start that hard?
Thanks,
Craig
AnswerI've never seen a case where an exhaust leak caused the vehicle to be difficult to start. I've seen a few leaks prior to the upstream oxygen sensor that caused vehicles to run poorly, however.
If you're within the 8 year/80,000 mile emissions warranty, you should request the exhaust manifold be replaced at no charge to you since the manifold and catalytic converter are one piece. Additionally, there was a recall on the exhaust manifold for cracking. If your exhaust manifold is cracked, call a Hyundai dealer other than the one you originally took your car to. Give them your VIN number and ask them to check for recalls. If recall V04 is still open, you're entitled to a new exhaust manifold/converter if it's cracked.
It'd be my suspicion that your problem with hard starting is caused by a faulty fuel pressure regulator. One of the modes of failure is for the diaphragm in the regulator to intermittently stick, allowing the fuel pressure to bleed to zero while the key is off.
The red brake warning lamp can come on for three reasons:
1. Parking brake switch closed (lever up).
2. Master cylinder switch closed (float down).
3. Activated by ABS control module.
It's likely that the red brake lamp has been turned on by your ABS system. Without having the trouble codes, it's difficult to say whether the dealer's explanation is plausible. I will say, however, that if the hub bearing is worn or the hub is loose for some other reason, that could affect that wheel speed sensor's ability to read the tone wheel for that wheel hub. I'm not sure what you mean when you say the l/f wheel speed sensor is "on."
It's also possible that if your brake fluid level got low enough, the float in the master cylinder is stuck in the down position. If unplugging the master cylinder makes the lamp go out, this is probably the case. In that event, lightl whack the master cylinder reservoir with a wrench a few times. This will usually free the float.
