Flashing Battery & Seat Belt lights

nad760 · 01-23-2013, 05:46 PM

I have a 2009 Sante Fe AWD: Can someone please tell me what it means when the battery and seat belt lights flash on the dashboard while driving? The headlights also dim slightly and sporadically as if there is a huge load on the system. No noticeably pull or drag while driving. Thank You.

**Montego** · 01-23-2013, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nad760

I have a 2009 Sante Fe AWD: Can someone please tell me what it means when the battery and seat belt lights flash on the dashboard while driving? The headlights also dim slightly and sporadically as if there is a huge load on the system. No noticeably pull or drag while driving. Thank You.

sounds as though your alternator is on its way out. l would get the charging system and battery checked out as soon as possible before things get worse

sbr711 · 01-23-2013, 07:48 PM

3.3L engine ?? (Not called out in visible info there to left)

Look at alternator... is it soaked with oil and covered in black dirt ?

Plan on alternator and left hand valve cover gasket replacement

nad760 · 01-23-2013, 10:49 PM

Thanks for the help. I was thinking alternator myself as well. Battery is 4 mos young, so I eliminated that.

Ken SantaFe · 01-25-2013, 04:12 PM

I had the same problem a year or so ago. It got worse over a couple of days to the point my Santa Fe would barely run. It was a faulty valve cover gasket which allowed oil to leak into the alternator, which also ruined the battery. Fortunately it was all replaced under warranty including a new battery. I had a good service advisor who went to bat for me with Hyundai to get the battery replaced too.

It's a known issue he said, although Hyundai refuses to be pre-emptive in replacing the faulty valve cover gasket before it causes a problem. Likely because not all valve cover gaskets will fail and because there's a fair amount of labor involved not making it cost effective to replace valve cover gaskets on "all" Santa Fe's.

However the total cost for parts and labor under warranty was around $1200. Glad they covered it!

Ken

cime_sp · 01-29-2013, 09:40 PM

I third the valve cover gasket. It took out 2 of my alternators (all replaced under warranty) and a battery. Any time you see that go as direct as you can to the dealer....Should have been a recall but Hyundai is cheap sometimes

01-23-2013, 05:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
nad760 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Joliet, IL 2009 Sante Fe AWD Posts: 2	Flashing Battery & Seat Belt lights I have a 2009 Sante Fe AWD: Can someone please tell me what it means when the battery and seat belt lights flash on the dashboard while driving? The headlights also dim slightly and sporadically as if there is a huge load on the system. No noticeably pull or drag while driving. Thank You.

01-23-2013, 07:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
sbr711 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: hiding from those who might be looking for me 373,300+ mile (2-16-13)daily drive that holding 30+ to 33 mpg with summer blend fuel Posts: 6,624	3.3L engine ?? (Not called out in visible info there to left) Look at alternator... is it soaked with oil and covered in black dirt ? Plan on alternator and left hand valve cover gasket replacement __________________ <--- please fill in the 'location' and 'what you drive' boxes on your personal profile page. This information makes it much easier for other members to answer/comment on your posts.

01-23-2013, 10:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
nad760 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Joliet, IL 2009 Sante Fe AWD Posts: 2	Thanks for the help. I was thinking alternator myself as well. Battery is 4 mos young, so I eliminated that.

01-25-2013, 04:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ken SantaFe Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 54	I had the same problem a year or so ago. It got worse over a couple of days to the point my Santa Fe would barely run. It was a faulty valve cover gasket which allowed oil to leak into the alternator, which also ruined the battery. Fortunately it was all replaced under warranty including a new battery. I had a good service advisor who went to bat for me with Hyundai to get the battery replaced too. It's a known issue he said, although Hyundai refuses to be pre-emptive in replacing the faulty valve cover gasket before it causes a problem. Likely because not all valve cover gaskets will fail and because there's a fair amount of labor involved not making it cost effective to replace valve cover gaskets on "all" Santa Fe's. However the total cost for parts and labor under warranty was around $1200. Glad they covered it! Ken

01-29-2013, 09:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
cime_sp Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 37	I third the valve cover gasket. It took out 2 of my alternators (all replaced under warranty) and a battery. Any time you see that go as direct as you can to the dealer....Should have been a recall but Hyundai is cheap sometimes

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