2002 Sonata

I have had to get a jump (boost) once a week for 3 weeks now. After I get the jump, the car starts up fine for about a week. Now the "door open" light is flashing on and off. What could this be?

A sign that you need to sell the car and get a Honda or a Toyota.

Yeah right, :rolleyes: I wouldn't take advise from someone who owns a Chevy Malibu about getting a Honda or Toyota. I could list all the recalls and mishaps those two brands have gone through in the last year alone. So if you can't give any good advise other than that, please we rather not hear from you.
Now to the root of the matter...

Hey Paula, first off, welcome to the forum,

Aside from whats listed in your profile that you have a 2002 sonata, you need to give us a bit more information if you want the experts in this section to help you out. How many miles? When was the last checkup, is it a new or used vehicle, etc, etc.

My first advise, regardless of knowing the details would be to take the vehicle in to either a Hyundai service center or a fellow mechanic you trust and have it checked out. The vehicle should log some sort of error code in its system which can be diagnose by a tech. If you are the first owner of the vehicle they you should still have the warranty and I would take advantage of it and have Hyundai checked it out.

Keep us informed.

TS out

Well I had an Elantra on the lot that did the same thing. The battery had a few cells that were bad. I would take to Autozone or similar first to see if it is one of those. They will check for free. The dealership will probably try to slap you with a $80.00 diagnostic fee.

Also, this is a shot in the dark, do you have anything extra installed on the car like an alarm or an aftermarket stereo.

P.S. At least they issue recalls, not like Hyundai who just looks away
i.e the paint chipping on new Elantras, slow windshield wipers that are a big complaint, air bags that are not active due to faulty sensor in seats.

As for the paint chipping I couldn't tell ya, but if its under warranty it wouldn't cost a dime to the owner.
As for the slow windsheild wipers, well I guess that depends if you are used to other vehicles that are faster, on my Santa Fe the wipers are fine. i don't have an Elantra, so I really can't debate that one.
But as for the air bag not going active due to faulty sensors, well there I would have to disagree with you that its a Hyundai problem. Its really a system wide problem. I posted a topic elsewhere (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=270483) that mentioned it, and it is a problem with other manufacturers that have the similiar system not just Hyundai.

TS out

P.S. At least they issue recalls, not like Hyundai who just looks away
i.e the paint chipping on new Elantras, slow windshield wipers that are a big complaint, air bags that are not active due to faulty sensor in seats.


I have been a Parts Manager at a Hyundai dealership for two years now. Paint chipping on new Elantra. Nope, never heard any complaints about that. Slow wipers, no complaints on that either. Faulty air bag sensors, if you are talking about the satellite sensors on Sonata's, yes there is a recall on that and it's been out for a couple years. If you want to talk about companies looking the other way as far as recalls go, go look at Mitsubishi. Mitsu almost went out of business because of not reporting recalls to the NTSB. If it wasn't for Mitsubishi heavy industry, the automotive sector would have gone under.

lets get back to the the person that need help .

paula i would suspect that if the door adjar light stays on , that can be the cause of your problem . look at the doors on the inside ther is a light on the bottom of each door if your doors are closed and the vechicle thinks there open the circuit for the light will drain the battery . Like your refrigerator at home there is a pin switch for every door . the door with the light that stays on either has a bad pin switch or i have seen people slam the door onto the seatbelt and put a small dent in the door . the dent then does not allow the pin switch to be pushed in . a few things to think about the first would be covered and the second would not . let me know how u fare out and this helped you any .

Did u purchase the car new? I was asking if there were any aftermarket items added on alarm, stereo, etc. Just from experience, you have to watch where you draw power from for these items. I have learned Hyundais are very sensitive when it comes to this. We had a '99 Elantra with an alarm added, the door light wouldn't ever turnoff. It was a car we had on the used lot and I totaled it before I could sell it so I dunno what repairs were necs. and whatthey would cost.

I don't think she is watching this thread anymore. Although, That was a nice explination Andrew.