QuestionThank you and sorry. After doing some online research I realized you needed more information. I was able to jump start the car the first 5 times with a portable 50 amp starter that plugs into the wall (I happened to be in my garage). The last time it would not start and the Jiffy Lube used a stronger jump. Each time, when I tried to start it, it would do nothing, no crank. The accessories all worked each time also. The problem occurs randomly, though it is always once I get back home. Thankfully, I guess. Sometimes it is an hour after driving, sometimes the next day. One thing I did think of last night is that could it possibly be a result of my remote starter? The dealer put it one as part of my deal. Since then my alarm has randomly gone off and the dealer said it was related to the car starter. They said it is an electrical thing. Also, the 6th time it was dead, I unlocked the door with the remote opener and the alarm went off (I had locked it with the remote too). I did the usual of putting it in the accessory position and when it stopped, I tried to start it and it was dead. I have heard of people here having similar problems with their electrical systems after putting one in. I do have the original battery in the car but both the Jiffy Lube and the dealership tested the battery and it was fine. To be honest, I have no idea what that entails. I think I am just before the 3 years. Maybe I will contact the dealership and see if that could be the problem.
Thanks for your advice!
Followup To
Question -
In the past month, my 2003 Hyundai Sonata would not start 5-6 times. There was no cranking, just dead. Ex. I drove the car at 10:30 and at 12, when I returned, dead. The jiffy Lube accross the street was nice enough to test it and the hand held computer diagnostic said weak starter. The battery is fine. Said alternator was fine. I took it to the dealership and they tell me nothing is wrong with it. What should I do?
Answer -
I'm sorry to hear about your situation, Petra. I may be able to offer more assistance than what's below if you can answer the few questions I have in the next paragraph.
Presumably, you somehow got the car started these five or six times. Let's start with that. What was it necessary for you to do to get the car started? When you were able to get it started, did it crank normally, slowly, or quickly? Does the problem only occur after waits of a certain time after driving the car? If you can think of anything all no start the events have in common (temp, humidity, whatever) please add that as well.
First, I'll say that I find the weak starter diagnosis dubious. Hyundai has very few starter problems. I think I've replaced about 5 since I've been working on Hyundai. It's possible, but considering that the personnel were from Jiffy Lube, I'd doubt they have the expertise or knowledge to make a good electrical system diagnosis.
If you've got the original battery in your car, I'd be very suspicious of the battery. How did you conclude the battery was good? If it's new, that's a pretty good (although not perfect) indicator. On the other hand, if it was based on a handheld computer tester, I'll just say that they're not always accurate. If you're not sure if you've got the original battery in your car, here's what it will look like: it'll have a black top and white case (possibly hidden inside a black plastic shield to keep the heat away), and will have "Solite" written on the white portion in big red letters. The warranty on the original battery is 3 years-- free replacement after two years; you'll need to pay 75% of the parts between two and three years. It's likely you're over 3 years-- it'll depend on the actual in-service date. If so, and you need a battery, you'll be paying for the repairs wherever you have them done.
The alternator is another possibility, as are some other less common electrical issues. I'd expect that the dealer did a system test and found nothing wrong. Again, if they used a handheld electronic tester-- all Hyundai dealers have one of these; it's a required special tool-- it'll sometimes show a weak battery as good or vice versa.
Here's what I'd recommend:
If after reading the above, you think it's the battery, just put one in. They're relatively inexpensive and installation is easy-- just make sure you don't hook it up backward! If the problem happens again, call roadside and have it towed to the dealer.
If you're still doubtful about the battery, put a set of jumper cables in the car for emergencies when you need to get it started right away, and, if you can, call roadside assistance when it happens again.
Also speak with the service manager of the dealer. Tell him how disturbing and disconcerting it is that your car will sometimes not start but they've been unable to find a problem. If they'd like to check it again, offer to leave it there a few days if they think it'll help them.
AnswerNo problem, Petra.
If you can jump start the car, the one thing that's pretty much certain is that the battery has been discharged. You list all the classic symptoms of a battery issue. Ordinarily, I'd say just drop a battery in it. And you may still wish to do that. If you do, check your in-service date and if within 3 years, find out what your portion of the battery would cost from the dealer. Chances are, you can purchase a good battery at a local parts supplier for the same or just a little bit more money than you'd have payed at the dealer.
But the remote starter complicates issues. If it's malfunctioning, it's possible that it's draining the battery. But this isn't likely to happen in a short period of time-- it'd be likely to happen if the car sits overnight or a similar amount of time.
My personal opinion (and this is in no way implied to be better than the opinion of someone who has actually checked the vehicle's charging and starting systems properly) is that if the condition happens without the car sitting for at least 8 hours, it's probably the battery. If it were mine, I'd put a new battery in it, make sure I had roadside's number in the car, toss a set of jumper cables in the trunk just in case. I don't see very many batteries in Sonatas last four years.
