I have a 2001 XG 300, that belonged to a family that lived down a mile ling dirt road. It is my sense that the 6 years of going up and down that dusty road had an impact on the electrical system. Periodicly and inexplicably the car will not do anything when I turn the key to start. It seems to be when the humidity is high, but I don't know if that has anything to do with it. There is power when I turn the key to the "on" position, but then when I turn the key further, it doesn't do anything.

Also, randomly, the radio will turn itself on and off, as well it will randomly try to switch to CD mode while you are listening to the radio.

As well, when you try to roll down either of the back windows, bith of them roll down, and it takes 30-40 tries to get the back right window to roll back up.

Still more. When the window lock button is depressed on the driver's door switch panel and the car is in park, the fasten seat belt light on the dash cluster illuminates.

And finally, the gas fill door actuator switch on the driver's door panel doesn't work. To access the gas tank, one has to open the trunk and pull the aux. gas door tab.

With such screwy electrical issues, my sense is that most of them are related by a common control unit that manages the electrical signals for alo of the accessories in the car.

Any thoughts?

I'd check the battery voltage first.

2nd, I'd check the major points of power are tight and clean. Fusepanel, fuses, and clamps.

weak or low electrical power can do incredibly odd things.


THe fact that so many unrelated areas have issues, leads me to check the SOURCE first, not the individual items.

Most of the fittings and connectors are pretty well sealed, it's unlikely that dust is causing an issue. If they keep out water, they keep out dust.

Was the car ever underwater?

After reviewing the wiring diagrams in my technical manals, there are no 'central control units' it's just power mangement and relays.

This post has been edited by ramblemn: Aug 21 2007, 09:09 AM

I took it to the dealer and they solved all of the problems except the ingition problem. Allof the window issues and gas door switch thing were faulty individual switches that has shorted out due to wear and dust. They didn't have any suggestions for me at the dealer as to how or why the ignition won't start at random times.

Thanks for the help ramblemn!

I have the same problem with my radio: shutting off inexplicably, turning on when it wants to, and switching to CD without warning. I kept hitting it, and sometimes it came into line. This last time I cracked the LCD screen though, OOOOOPPPPPPPSSSSSSSs!!!! I was wondering if the dealer fixed your problem and what they did.

Dear Jesus,

I had a few electrical problems developing with a 2001 Sonata, like the radio, like the ignition, like some dash lights.

Replaced the original battery and the black ground cable. Everything fixed. It was all due to low voltage from the battery and high resistance in the ground cable.

Byron

I also had the same radio problem.... The dealer told me they knew this was an issue.... They offered a rebuilt radio to replace mine .. Total price installed was $130

I opted instead to go to circuit city where I purchased a new radio that will play MP3's etc etc for $150 and they installed for free....

I have been very happy with my new radio ...... :banana: