Three times in the past 2 weeks my Santa Fe wouldn't start. Never first thing in the morning but after the car is warmed up. I have stopped for gas/run into a store for 10 minutes. When I get back and turn the key I get electrical power (radio and fan etc.) but no cranking or engine turnover. It happened on a rainy day and twice when it was very hot and humid so maybe the electronic components are faulty. After 10 or 15 minutes the car will start as if nothing is wrong and then I'll go for several days without any problem. I've tried both keys and I tried moving the second key around the steering wheel - in case the engine immobilizer is having trouble reading the key.
I've called the dealer and they don't have any ideas but I'll be bringing it in soon - untill then - any ideas?

I have had the car since April 2, 2007 and I put only 3500 kms on it. It's a GLS 3.3L 7 passenger.

I've read that it could be the crank position sensor.

Thanks

No idea, but I think you're right with it being a sensor (crank or something else). No worries though - this is why we have warranties. I remember having trouble with my 92 Escort when I first got it and thinking I got stuck with a lemon. After a couple of warranty repairs that thing was great.

Try switching the starter relay with another relay, say the AC or horn relay. My Dad has a 2002 Elantra and had the exact same problem. After 10 min the car would start and the dealer never could find the problem. I'm a auto tech by trade so he asked me to have a look. Nothing obvious so on a guess I swithced the started relay with the horn relay and he never had the problem since.

I assume these relays are all identical. Did your dad's horn still work?

The horn still works but because it was occassional and you use the horn very little there may still be a problem with the relay. They are the same. Try it, what do you have to loose?

I have a similar problem with my 2008 Santa Fe GLS (Canadian model). When this problem occurs, I notice that a small key light in the dash does not come up (while it usually does when everything works fine). It really looks as if the immobilizer does not recognize the key and so refuses to start the engine. In my case, I also have all electrical power and the starter is cranking up the engine (i.e. you can here it go like tut tut tut tut tut), but it would never turn over. The cranking is going very fast but the engine shows no sign of ever starting. So I have to remove the key and try again. Usually, it can take 3-4 times (and up to 15 minutes) before the key light comes up again in the dash, and only then the engine will start. This problem occurs only approx. once a week or so, but you never know when you won't be able to start your car; That is pretty annoying.

I went to the dealer just for that problem but they could not reproduce it and so did not do anything to fix it. Very disappointing.

I am not sure it is the same problem as yours, but I thought I would reply just in case you would have a clue as to what this problem could be.

Thanks,

Ozo.

Hi Ozo,

You can see that my original post is over 2 yrs old. My problem went away for 2 yrs but it has recently reared it's ugly head.

The dealership has been sympathetic but unable to positively pinpoint the problem.

They've reset my factory alarm system because I was thinking it was the engine immobilizer preventing the engine from starting.
But I had the problem reoccur 2 weeks later.

For the first time, however, the dealer technician was able to replicate the no start situation in their garage.
So they checked the wire connections behind the fuse box under the hood and cleaned and tightened all the electrical contacts.

It's been about a week since I was last towed to their garage and my fingers are still crossed.
Their fix seems to have worked but the weather has not been hot like it was during previous no starts.

First. Take a video of if it when it acts up! GOd knows, when you take it in, they wont be able to replicate the issue.

It is on warrenty, there are some recalls my dealer told me about during my last oil change.

Hi, it's me again and it happened again 2 days ago.

Same old story.
I had been running errands (engine was completely warmed up) and when I try to leave the parking lot it wouldn't turn over or even click. But I do have full electrical power (radio on, power windows work, seat belt reminder bonging away).
So for the 3rd time since July I've been towed to the dealer. Each tow truck driver tells me the same thing. "I never get to tow one of these." Lucky me.

After 4 - 5 hours of snooping, the mechanics finally determine it to be a dead starter. It was after 2 pm when they figured that out so it's normally too late to order the part for the same day but they did pull some strings and I got it repaired and back to me by 6 pm same day.

So, I'll keep my fingers crossed and if it happens again I'll post an update.

Thanks for the updates on this. Hopefully the new starter does the trick. I have seen similar no start issues associated with 'transponder key' equipped vehicles such as your Canadian Santa Fe. If the vehicle doesn't recongize the key, no start. *Usually* you get a key type icon/indicator that will light up on the dash (not sure about the Santa Fe). Anyhoo.. having too much on your key ring or having another transponder key installed on the same ring can wreak havoc on the system. Things to try in case you haven't!

Joel

Thanks for the tip about multiple keys on the same ring. I've always kept my keys separate.
The dealer already did an alarm system reset back in July. Didn't work.

So the story continues. Yesterday, I couldn't leave the driveway. The auto was all warmed up since I had been driving around. I parked for 2 hours then I try to leave and the same random no-start problem. By 9 PM it still wouldn't start. So I had it towed for the 4th time since July and the dealer looked at it first thing this morning.

They ended up replacing the fuse and relay box under the hood. Apparently head office has "many" of these in stock and are rubber stamping a replacement for this part.

So I'm back on the road but my fingers are still crossed.
If / when it refuses to start, I'll post an update.

same story here,

i bought a SantaFe 2009 in January, it works fine for 10 months. I decide to ask to my hyundai dealer to install a genuine hyundai remote-starter in the truck. 2 weeks after, i begin to have starting problem. I notice that the probleme occure when the truck is warm and when it's rainy outside. I tried many combination to start the car but none seems to work, I always have to wait a couple of minutes. I notice the problem 5 or 6 time in the past week but I was always able to stard after 2 or 3 minutes ! This morning the truck won't start at all and i called the huyndai assistance road to get the truck towed to the dealer.

I also took a video with my iphone as the problem is not always present and as usual those kind of problem never occure at the dealer !

I notice that the key indicator in the dashboard do not come up when it hapening.

when it happen, the remote starter wont work either...

Sorry to hear of your problem... what a way to ruin a new car experience.

Unfortunately there is no such thing as a genuine Hyundai remote starter (at least not in my country). Your dealer sold you an aftermarket system, and these things can be more trouble than they're worth. I would ask them to remove it and refund your money. Good luck.

My car was towed this morning to the dealer... They disconnected the remote starter and the problem disapeared ! They completely change the remote starter unit and it seems fine (for now!). I will give it another chance ...

for information, there is a genuine remote starter from hyundai (at least available in quebec,Canada), the part numer is 007cr hy-1774 and that the problem was in the main unit of this sytem... not sure if it's a good product since it cause me more trouble than benefit for now..

Attched a scan of the user guide cover page, may be other people that have the starting problem have the same product installed when they bought their car ?

Dear Diary,

Well for the 5th time since July I've had another random no start situation. We've had about 2 weeks of dry weather and the first day of rain here in Toronto - the car won't start. This time I was home in the driveway so I wasn't stuck in some parking lot somewhere.

I had it towed to the dealer and they spent 1.5 hours talking to head office and they think it's the alarm system's computer and the vehicle's fuel control computer that are mixing up their signals. Apparently my case is unique to Hyundai Canada so they are shooting in the dark.

Next day (today) the technician wants to run tests recommended by head office but the weather has cleared up so the car starts each and every time - all day.

So, nothing was done to my car. That means I'll be back here eventually to update you with details on tow number 6.
At least they know which tests they need to run.

:-(

My apologies if you find this boring but this post helps me keep track of my mechanical woes.

If you have any ideas or suggestions to help me get rid of this demon in my Santa Fe, I do appreciate your help.

For the 6th time since July, it refused to start. This time when I tried to leave a store parking lot. I was driving around all afternoon so the car was at full operating temperature. I leave the car parked for 30 minutes while I'm in the store. I come back and it won't start.
Surprisingly, it started after 10 minutes of trying. So I called everybody back and told them to call off the tow truck and drove home.

Having it towed to the dealership in time for 6pm closing seemed pointless so it's back in my driveway. It was starting this evening but I'll see if it starts tomorrow morning.

For the past 2 days, however, I would turn the key, the starter turns over but now there is a half second delay before the engine catches. If I let go of the key before this it'll die and refuse to start for hours to come. Letting go of the key too early is a problem in any car but I now must hold the key in a fully turned position for longer than in the past.

Thanks for reading.

Interesting reading dare2dv8. providing there's no external EMR interference interrupting the signal between the key transponder and the immobilizer , my 2 cents worth is get new keys and matching immobilizer fitted and tested.