QuestionI have a 12yr old Hyundai Accent Coupe which ahs only done 71,000 miles. Recent full service and new battery last year. Please advise why car would suddenly stop and break down? It was running fine, then a few miles down the road, just cut out. Put key in ignition and nothing at all happened - not even a sound. Called out RAC, who said there was a bad connection and got car going. Advised me to get garage to clean and grease all the points, which I did. Car ran OK again for 2 weeks, but this morning was just dead. Is this an electrical fault, and what could it be? Everyone seems baffled.
AnswerHi, Paula. After 12 years, it's possible that just about any component could (not should) unexpectedly fail. Some of these components are critical to the vehicle operating.
In your specific case, it indeed sounds like an electrical problem since the starter will not operate to start the issue. I'd recommend starting with thoroughly checking the starting and charging systems for proper operation. Presuming all is working correctly, I'd then recommend checking the battery terminals. If okay, then check the wiring between the main alternator lug and the fuse block, as well as the main positive link between the positive battery terminal and the fuse block.
I find it odd that people are baffled. I presume you've had it towed back to the repair shop. Was it still dead when it arrived there? If so, there should be little that would be baffling. It's typically a relatively simple matter to find a problem while symptoms are occurring. If the symptoms are occurring and the shop cannot devise a diagnostic strategy that will lead them to the problem, the shop isn't qualified to be diagnosing the problem your car has.
