Starter problem

Tiny
KFARWELL
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 110,000 MILES
The starter is beginning to not start the car 100% of the time. Sometimes you press the button and everything works as it's supposed to. Sometimes the engine begins to crank but then stops after a second, yet the starter is still spinning until I press the start button again and stop it. Sometime when I press the button the engine does not begin to crank but the starter spins, as if the bendix never engaged the starter.

I thought maybe it was an electrical problem, that maybe the battery was too low. I installed a new battery only to find that it was not the problem.

I'm worried if I buy a new starter and replace it that I'll end up finding that it was an electrical problem all along.

To start or not to start, that is the question.
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Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 AT 11:12 AM

31 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like the starter motor has gone bad here is a guide to help walk you through the repair with instructions in the diagrams below to show you how to do the job on your car.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-starter-motor

Here is the starter wiring diagrams as well so you can see how the system works. Here is the starter you need.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TE82O94/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=2carprcom-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00TE82O94&linkId=7a7abd158d5b85f3385ce6b9e92da21a

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it
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Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 AT 12:02 PM
Tiny
PAT5196
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Yes a post that helped, thanks you I had to buy the starter works great! This site rocks
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Tuesday, November 26th, 2019 AT 12:53 PM
Tiny
SAMMY_STYLES
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA
I turn the key in the ignition and it wont start. I have ants in the engine right now. Idk if thats the problem. When I leave the key in the "ON" position three lights come on the engine light (Not the check engine light), The oil pressure light, and the battery light. There isnt a single sound coming from the engine at all. All the lights turn on. Radio works fine. It just wont move anywhere. I dont know anything about cars and have kids I need to take to school. Is there anything I can do as a quick fix?
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Tuesday, November 26th, 2019 AT 12:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
Check to see if there is power to the starter. IF there is, the starter is most likely bad. Also, check the starter relay.
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Tuesday, November 26th, 2019 AT 12:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SAMMY_STYLES
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have no idea how to even do that :/ if I don't hear any noise when I turn it on what. Does that mean? I also looked into the circuit board and there are ants running around all over the place. Does that mean anything?
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Tuesday, November 26th, 2019 AT 12:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
REGINA PARKER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 68,000 MILES
My sonata want crank it did this a month ago I went out one day after it sat in one place for two weeks and it started right up I drove it for a month now it want crank again then on yesterday it cranked up today it want whats the problem now it will turn over just want catch
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Tuesday, November 26th, 2019 AT 12:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Cranks but no start condition-do below to determine if it's a fuel or spark problem:

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine at least 3/16 away from ground -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, Do you hear the fuel pump come On when you turn key on? If not check fuel pump fuse and fuel pump relay if so, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it.
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Tuesday, November 26th, 2019 AT 12:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DFIELDS9MM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA
  • 3.3L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
Motor will not turnover starter locks in motor will not. Oil level is full crank will not turn?
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Tuesday, November 26th, 2019 AT 12:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MLDANIELS2000
  • MECHANIC
  • 227 POSTS
Seems to be a locked up motor. Pull all spark plugs and attempt to crank. Reply with results from this test.
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Tuesday, November 26th, 2019 AT 12:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DFIELDS9MM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Did that! Found a gritty sub sent?Oil filter stopped up?Oil pump stoped up? Where did it come from!
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Tuesday, November 26th, 2019 AT 12:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MLDANIELS2000
  • MECHANIC
  • 227 POSTS
An image of what you are finding would be helpful.
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Tuesday, November 26th, 2019 AT 12:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PATEARP
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 98,500 MILES
My wife 2004 Hyundai Sonata starts fine except immediately after she adds fuel. It sounds like a timing problem, but then it starts. After the first strart after fueling, it starts with no problem.
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Tuesday, November 26th, 2019 AT 12:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
Is she forcing more fuel in than it can handle, when the fuel pump stops, you should never force anymore, as it causes this problem, the charcoal container in the EVAP system becomes flooded.
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Tuesday, November 26th, 2019 AT 12:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KYLEATWORK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA
  • 95,000 MILES
I got a P0340 code on my 4 cyclinder hyundai sonata, so I replaced the camshaft position sensor. What should I try next? After replacing the camshaft position sensor, it starts and runs for about 5 seconds before dying. I'm getting white smoke and it sounds like its only hitting on 3 of the 4 cylinders. Should I replace the crankshaft position sensor? Is there a way to test that without taking off the timing cover? I also had my timing belt replaced 30,000 miles ago and haven't had any problems, but maybe its possible I slipped a tooth?
Thanks for your help.
Kyle.
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Tuesday, November 26th, 2019 AT 12:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Try hyundai dealer drivtrain covered 10 100,000
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Tuesday, November 26th, 2019 AT 12:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KYLEATWORK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I would love to, but the warranty has expired.
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Tuesday, November 26th, 2019 AT 12:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,938 POSTS
Check valve timing, check compressions, check coil Cva readings.
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Tuesday, November 26th, 2019 AT 12:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BOYDAR98
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA
  • 2.7L
  • V6
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
The car was driving fine up until 5 months ago. I drove the car to the gas station, turned the car off and proceeded to put gas into the car. When I got back into the car to leave the car wouldn't start. I checked the battery voltage and all fuses linked to starting the vehicle but there wasn't anything out of the ordinary. So 10-15 minutes go by after I called a towing company I decided to try to start the car. And it worked. So I drove the car home and it started fine again for a few more days. Then one night when I was leaving class the car had the same problem, checked the relay, battery and fuses. Nothing was wrong with it and this time it didn't start. The next morning I had gone to my car so that I could wait for the towing company. I decided to try starting my car again and it turned over again without any problem, drove it home, parked it and it has not started since that day. I have changed the starter, the starter relay, and the battery. I am unsure of what to test next.
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Tuesday, November 26th, 2019 AT 12:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,699 POSTS
You haven't tested anything yet. It sounds like you just replaced some random parts.

Thank you for including the "no crank". Too many people just say the engine doesn't start, but that's like saying, "I'm in pain". You don't know if I have a hang nail, cut my foot off with a chain saw, or my ex-girlfriend came back! "No start" can mean a lot of different things.

One of the important observations is if everything else electrical works when the no-crank occurs. If it does, a good suspect is the neutral safety switch. On many cars today that is called something like a "transmission range sensor". It's a shifter position sensor that is unnecessarily more complicated than the simple, reliable switches we used to have.

If everything else electrical is dead, the most common cause is a bad connection. Follow the smaller positive battery wire from the battery to the under-hood fuse box. Be sure that connection is clean and tight. Follow the smaller negative wire to the body and be sure that one isn't rusty or loose. If you still haven't found the solution, I'll dig up a wiring diagram and figure out where to start taking voltage measurements.
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Tuesday, November 26th, 2019 AT 12:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BULLDOGRICK
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA
  • 101,000 MILES
Replaced battery and battery cables and car wont turn over. I have power. The flashers come on for about 20 seconds and then go off and then come on?

Why isn't the engine turning over?
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Tuesday, November 26th, 2019 AT 12:55 PM (Merged)

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