Hyundai: 2002 4cy man santa fe 4wd, champion spark plugs, spark plug wires

Question
have a intermittent loss of power ( cuts out), when seem to go up certain hills. engine stopped when reversing down drive way last week,started up again then no problems all day, when going to shops to day cut out 3 times going up a hill, but still in gear so, when cut back in continued up the hill, i have had a friend say it could be the fuel pump


Answer
Hi Pete, my first guess would be a problem in the ignition system. A lot of santa fe seem to be having problems with bad spark plugs and wires.  Your suv probably has a Champion spark plugs in it, which Hyundai has started replacing with NGKs.The coil packs mounted on the side of the engine could be another reason.  Try opening the hood in pitch darkness and have someone rev the engine while staring at the spark plug wires and coil packs.  If you see ANY blue sparks or blue light there is a voltage leak.  Your dealer should at least try replacing your plug wires and spark plugs before replacing the coil packs.  If you see blue sparks coming from the coil packs, that means they're shot and need to be replaced. I doubt your injectors are clogged.  Hyundais use 2 fuel filters, one in the gas tank for large particles, and another inside the engine compartment.  Plus, today's fuels are so pure that I can't see your injectors being clogged.  If they are clogged the dealership can do a flush which works remarkably well.