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Hyundai Repair Questions and Answers

Question: 2000 Hyundai Sonata mileage: 78,000 Thanks for taking the time to answer my question. I have a 2000 Hyundai Sonata. It is very hard to start. The only way to start it is to start it and not give it any gas for a minute or so. It takes-6 tries before you can get it to stay running. It has a service engine light on the dash and disconnecting the battery cable has not eliminated the light. Once started it runs fair but it cuts out as if it is running lean. the problem seems to be getting worse. We do not have a local dealer. Any input you can give me will be appreciated.

Answer:  The service engine light indicates a problem in the computer controlled engine management system. We recommend a scanner that you can use to scan your computer for faults or error codes. The information should pinpoint the malfunctioning component. Once you have made the repairs you can use the same scanner to clear the check engine light.

Question:  2001 Hyundai Tiburon mileage: 75,000. When I’m driving and changing gears my car hesitates like it's not getting enough gas or something. Could it be the fuel filter? Or is it time for plugs...

Answer:  If a major tune-up has not been done recently, this could be the cause of your problem. Replace the spark plugs, plug wires, fuel and air filters, etc. Also, replace the oxygen sensor. In addition, service the fuel injection system. Clean the carbon deposits from the throttle bore and idle passages.

Question:  1998 Hyundai Elantra  Standard mileage: 47,000.  I need to find the fuel filter in my 1998 Hyundai Elantra.  Please Help!

Answer:    The fuel filter is located in the rear of the car by the gas tank.

Question:  1988 Hyundai Excel  mileage: 120,000.  Hi, I am in the process of installing a timing belt tensioner and the task requires removal of a pulley from the crankshaft.  I removed four 10 mm bolts holding the pulley that drives the alternator and water pump, as the maintenance manual appears to show.  The problem is that the pulley will not come off the crankshaft.  There is also a larger center bolt, but the manual seems to indicate that is not to be removed.  It seems the pulley has a cutout in the center that fits around the center bolt.  Did someone glue the pulley on the flange?  I have tried prying the pulley with no success.  Any suggestions?

Answer:    You may have to remove the center bolt to get the pulley off.

Question:  1999 Hyundai Elantra mileage: 15,350.  My car loses power intermittently.  I can press my foot down on the accelerator all the way to the floor and have no response from the engine.  Then the engine kicks in and revs.  This happens anywhere from a few times per week to once every few weeks.  For example, I have driven about 300 miles with no problems then can drive 25 and have it do it for most of those 25 miles.  I have had the Throttle Position Sensor changed and the Pulse Generator Wires changed.  Both to no avail.   One Hyundai dealer wanted to put a new transmission in the car.  Hyundai is having a hard time duplicating the problems so they have not been able to find out what is wrong.  Any suggestions?

Answer:   We think that your problem is most likely your transmission.

Question:  2000 Hyundai Accent  mileage: 100,000.  I am replacing the timing belt.  I have all the parts out of the way except for the crankshaft pulley.  How do I remove the pulley?  There is hardly any room to work with.  I have tried to remove the center nut on the pulley with no luck.  Each time I try to loosen it, the engine turns over.  Any help would be appreciated.

Answer:   Use an air impact wrench to loosen the nut.

Question:  1988 Hyundai Excel 1.5l mileage: 55,000.  My sister had a catalytic converter (front) replaced on her car.  She thought she was getting a new one, but it turned out to be used, anyway we have replaced 2 sets of plug wires in the last 4 months, they keep melting, it seems as though it is caused from the heat off the converter.  Is it possible it is the wrong converter or installed wrong?  The heat resistor protectors (whatever you call them) are jammed and it makes it very hard to change plugs.  HELP please.

Answer:  You may have had the incorrect catalytic converter installed but it sounds like the heat shields are not properly placed.  If the engine is running “rich”, it will cause the catalytic converter to be hotter than normal.   Have the engine fuel system checked.

Question:  1999 Hyundai Elantra mileage: 110,000. This car idles fairly well in neutral or park but very rough in reverse and drive. I just replaced the engine with a used engine and it is doing the same things the old engine was doing. I replaced the plugs, wires, rotor button, cap, fuel injectors, set timing, etc. This engine also misfires in idle. I NEED HELP!

Answer: Check the motor mounts; a broken mount will allow the engine to shake excessively. Your car is equipped with a computer controlled engine management system. An independent auto service center can scan your computer for fault or error codes. The information should pinpoint the mal functioning components.

Question:  1994 Hyundai Elantra 5 speed 1.6L I4 mileage: 130,000. Hi guys, my question is, about a year ago, I had my timing belt replaced; it was a preventative maintenance repair, not because it broke. Then after about 3 months, my car lost power on the highway one day, I took it to a repair shop, and it was determined that the timing belt was not installed properly (it was off by a couple of teeth). Ever since then, the car has had a rough idle. Now because of the rough idle, it causes the muffler to shake, and make a weird noise. I'm trying to sell the car now, but I would like to fix the rough idle first, if it isn't to expensive. Is raising the idle speed a little a good thing to do, or is this an even bigger problem?

Answer:  You can try raising the idle speed but we do not think it will smooth out the idle. You may have a bigger problem. Have a compression check done on the engine; it may check low. When the timing belt was off "by a couple of teeth," that changed the timing between the valves and the pistons. That change may have resulted in a valve hitting a piston bending a valve or two.

Question:  1995 Hyundai Elantra 1.8 ODC, mileage: 62,000. I was driving and pulled out in traffic, so I had to gun it some. When the engine reved up, all of a sudden the fan on the air conditioner got faster, BOTH headlights blew out, and the air bag light came on. The culprit was the alternator voltage regulator. I had the alternator replaced and replaced the headlights myself. The airbag light is still on. Everything else works fine. HERE IS MY QUESTION. How do I get the airbag light to reset? Is it a switch that you just reset or do you think it fried something in the circuit? If so, what and can I replace it myself? The car repair place wants $45 just to hook it to a computer to see what’s wrong. Please help and save me some money if you can.

Answer:  Due to the potential injury from air bags, we recommend having a qualified mechanic do all related repairs.

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