drained battery
sonata
12-07-2004, 09:58 AM
In August, a variety of minor problems creeped up on my 2002 Sonata. The trunk lock would not open with remote or door release, only the key; the A/C grew weak after 30 minutes and my airbag light went on. It took me 3 weeks to get an appt at dealer, and when I did, they didn't have time to repair my car even after I had left it there for the day. Took another 3 weeks to get another appt.
After picking it up the 2nd time, I discovered the trunk lock had still not been repaired AND it seemed a little difficult to start. I checked to see if a dome light or possibly a light in the trunk was left on, but all appeared off and I couldn't find any particular drain on the battery. I was able to get back to the dealer in one week to have them repair the trunk lock while I waited, quite peturbed, this now being my 3rd visit to repair the same problem. After the so-called repair, I discovered my key remote no longer worked at all to unlock even the car doors, much less the trunk. Luckily this was discovered before I even left the parking lot. I was told something vague about a loose electrical connection and not enough charge from the battery, another 20 minutes had it fixed and I was on my way, but I was still a bit concerned over the car not starting on a dime the way it used to.
Another month passed and I bought my car in to a private station I usually have maintain my cars for it's 30,000 mile check up (Who wants to pay the dealership $450 for maintenence?) All went well, except he said my battery was weak. The car is less than 3 years old and he agreed that the battery should have lasted longer. I'm suspicious of what the dealership did because the battery started acting up after that 2nd visit. Was my battery covered under their famous warrenty? Has anyone else heard of the dealership creating problems when they bought the car in for covered bumper to bumber repairs?
I have not replaced the battery yet, but I am noticing the dash light flashing (so quickly on and off that I had to look at the manual to guess what light it was by where it was located) and I notice my rear defroster clicks off whenever the battery light flashes on the dash.
Until this all happened, I was very happy with my Sonata. I expect small problems to creep up now and then and wasn't concerned when I originally brought it in. It was their inability to fix what should have been a minor problem and the additional problem that they seemed to have created themselves. Am I being paranoid?
After picking it up the 2nd time, I discovered the trunk lock had still not been repaired AND it seemed a little difficult to start. I checked to see if a dome light or possibly a light in the trunk was left on, but all appeared off and I couldn't find any particular drain on the battery. I was able to get back to the dealer in one week to have them repair the trunk lock while I waited, quite peturbed, this now being my 3rd visit to repair the same problem. After the so-called repair, I discovered my key remote no longer worked at all to unlock even the car doors, much less the trunk. Luckily this was discovered before I even left the parking lot. I was told something vague about a loose electrical connection and not enough charge from the battery, another 20 minutes had it fixed and I was on my way, but I was still a bit concerned over the car not starting on a dime the way it used to.
Another month passed and I bought my car in to a private station I usually have maintain my cars for it's 30,000 mile check up (Who wants to pay the dealership $450 for maintenence?) All went well, except he said my battery was weak. The car is less than 3 years old and he agreed that the battery should have lasted longer. I'm suspicious of what the dealership did because the battery started acting up after that 2nd visit. Was my battery covered under their famous warrenty? Has anyone else heard of the dealership creating problems when they bought the car in for covered bumper to bumber repairs?
I have not replaced the battery yet, but I am noticing the dash light flashing (so quickly on and off that I had to look at the manual to guess what light it was by where it was located) and I notice my rear defroster clicks off whenever the battery light flashes on the dash.
Until this all happened, I was very happy with my Sonata. I expect small problems to creep up now and then and wasn't concerned when I originally brought it in. It was their inability to fix what should have been a minor problem and the additional problem that they seemed to have created themselves. Am I being paranoid?
tjjfv
12-07-2004, 09:39 PM
Test the voltage of the electical system (in off, no-load, & full-load) to see if it is a problem with the alternator.
I had a similar battery/electrical problems with my 2002 Hyundai Sonata. After about 1 year I encountered a dead battery a few times with no apparent reason; after getting it jumped I had the electrical checked at PepBoys and they did not find any issue. After about 1.5-2 years, I had some problems with the starter not getting the engine to turn over fast enough, as well as decreased AC/fan power when idling. I had the battery checked at a shop I trust, and was told that the battery was not in the best condition. I had the battery replaced by the shop (this was a little over 2 years after purchase, the battery was just out of full warranty).
Less than 1 month later, after relocating, while the car was being driven the electrical system began to shut down, after pulling over, the engine & car just shut off. I had the car picked up under Hyundai's roadside assistance and taken to the second best local Hyundai dealer (first supposedly had no Sunday drop-off). They first tried to sell me a new battery, because they claimed they could not test the electical system since the battery was dead. I informed them that it was a 1 month old battery, and that they should not replace it. A day later they determined that they could charge the battery and then test the system. They did, and said everything checked out, giving no explanation for the problem.
Only a short while later some of the previous symptoms began to recur, mainly decreased AC/fan speed when idling. A relative recommending testing the voltage; I picked up a simple auto voltage tester (sold at PepBoys/Radio Shack for ~$10). I tested the voltage under the various scenarios: battery only/engine off; engine on, no lights, no fan, no radio; and engine on, all lights, AC & fan, radio. After testing the car over the course of a few days in all conditions (off, no-load (all electronics , I After a few days I determined that the problem was most likely with the alternator, since under full load the voltage was not high enough to prevent drawing current from the battery.
I took the car the the best local Hyundai dealer to have the alternator & electrical checked out. They tested it, and said everything checked out, and suggested the low voltage was due to the warm temperatures. I drove it a bit, check the voltage myself, and confirmed that the voltage when under full-load was still too low. I brought it right back, asked them to test it again. They had me leave it running. Right before testing it, they turned it off to test the battery only. When they went to start the engine, it did not start, the battery was too drained. It took them 30 minutes to charge the battery, when they tested under full load they agreed that the alternator was bad. Two hours later they had replaced the alternator under warranty.
Hope this helps. Good luck with your car!
I had a similar battery/electrical problems with my 2002 Hyundai Sonata. After about 1 year I encountered a dead battery a few times with no apparent reason; after getting it jumped I had the electrical checked at PepBoys and they did not find any issue. After about 1.5-2 years, I had some problems with the starter not getting the engine to turn over fast enough, as well as decreased AC/fan power when idling. I had the battery checked at a shop I trust, and was told that the battery was not in the best condition. I had the battery replaced by the shop (this was a little over 2 years after purchase, the battery was just out of full warranty).
Less than 1 month later, after relocating, while the car was being driven the electrical system began to shut down, after pulling over, the engine & car just shut off. I had the car picked up under Hyundai's roadside assistance and taken to the second best local Hyundai dealer (first supposedly had no Sunday drop-off). They first tried to sell me a new battery, because they claimed they could not test the electical system since the battery was dead. I informed them that it was a 1 month old battery, and that they should not replace it. A day later they determined that they could charge the battery and then test the system. They did, and said everything checked out, giving no explanation for the problem.
Only a short while later some of the previous symptoms began to recur, mainly decreased AC/fan speed when idling. A relative recommending testing the voltage; I picked up a simple auto voltage tester (sold at PepBoys/Radio Shack for ~$10). I tested the voltage under the various scenarios: battery only/engine off; engine on, no lights, no fan, no radio; and engine on, all lights, AC & fan, radio. After testing the car over the course of a few days in all conditions (off, no-load (all electronics , I After a few days I determined that the problem was most likely with the alternator, since under full load the voltage was not high enough to prevent drawing current from the battery.
I took the car the the best local Hyundai dealer to have the alternator & electrical checked out. They tested it, and said everything checked out, and suggested the low voltage was due to the warm temperatures. I drove it a bit, check the voltage myself, and confirmed that the voltage when under full-load was still too low. I brought it right back, asked them to test it again. They had me leave it running. Right before testing it, they turned it off to test the battery only. When they went to start the engine, it did not start, the battery was too drained. It took them 30 minutes to charge the battery, when they tested under full load they agreed that the alternator was bad. Two hours later they had replaced the alternator under warranty.
Hope this helps. Good luck with your car!
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