QuestionThe dealer said they 'couldn't' change the speed sensor unless they could show it was the problem, but I know someone who can! If it doesn't fix the problem, I'll be back to ask about some of those 'other possibilities'.
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I have a 2002 SantaFe (V6, AWD) and over the last couple of months the speedometer/odometer go out periodically while driving. The needle reads zero for anywhere from just a second to 50+ miles, but so far, has always started working again eventually. Sometimes it jumps up and down between zero and actual speed repeatedly. When the spedometer goes out, the cruise cuts off. Dealer can't find anything. This is dangerous on the highway. What should I do?
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It sounds like the speed sensor gear is worn and sometimes isn't turned by the driving gear in your transmission. Has the dealer removed the vehicle speed sensor to inspect the gear? If not, I'd think they should be doing this, especially if you're still within the warranty period.
If the dealer won't give you reasonable satisfaction that they're investigating the issue properly, you should contact Hyundai customer assistance at 800-633-5151. This will open a case and should result in someone at a dealer calling you.
If you're outside the warranty period, you can simply take your car to a good driveability shop that cares enough to actually investigate some simple things that may be the problem.
If after investigating the things that are simple to check, there's still no problem found, it tends to not be cost effective to continue to investigate the issue until the issue is again happening. There are a multitude of things that could be causing your problem, and it would be quite expensive and time consuming to check them all. Furthermore, if the problem is not occurring when the checks are made, it may be impossible to locate the issue. In this case, your best option may be to simply replace the speed sensor and gear and see if that cures the problem.
AnswerTechnically, they're right. Hyundai won't allow them to replace a component unless they know it's defective. But the deeper question is whether they even bothered to check. In many cases, the problem is a worn speed sensor gear, an issue typically visible once the sensor and gear assembly is removed from the transmission.
I'd say that if they haven't removed the sensor to look at it when your problem is mostly consistent with an issue with the sensor, then they haven't sufficiently inspected your vehicle to find the issue.
