Hyundai Repair: Hyundai Elantra 2002, hyundai elantra, starter solonoid


Question
My car was working fine, in fact, we have never had a problem with our car since we purchased it.  This morning it won't start at all.  It gave no indication prior to this that anything was going to happen.  It clicks if you try and start it when you open the hood, but no other sound like it is going to catch.  It is not the battery, had it checked. It is not the fuses, checked those as well.  I have full electrical power, radio, ac, headlights.  Is it possible it is a starter solonoid or a starter?  Have any other ideas?

Answer
It sure sounds like a battery issue.  If you still have the original battery in the vehicle, this would be about the right time for it to die.  How did you have the battery checked?  You can make a basic check yourself if you have a voltmeter.  When trying to start the car, the voltage across the battery terminals shouldn't go below 10V.  If it does, your battery is discharged or needs to be replaced.

If your battery is indeed in good condition, you should check the connections at the battery, the starter, and the ground wire.  The click tends to indicate that the starter soleniod is attempting to engage.  

You should consider the starter last in the realm of potential problems.  While Hyundai doesn't have zero starter problems, they are very, very rare.