Hello Folks!

Wonderful place here with lots of information... I searched but didn't find anything similar...

I have an 03 Accent GL 1.6 that I replace the Crankshaft Position Sensor with an aftermarket one when the car died one night on the way home and would not start.

Now I get a very strange starting problem, the starter sound like it binds up after the third crank every 4 out of 10 starts. If I allow the computer to come up first, (Stopping at Run then going to Start it happens a little less.)

Had the Starter tested and it is fine, possible timing problem I was told, So...

I took it into my local dealer for "Diagnosis" $120 later and they tell me that the Crankshaft Position Sensor needs to be changed. :( (The Aftermarket one is 2 weeks old)

It's at 90Km so the Timing belt needs to be changed as well... What another Tech was thinking (Nissan not Hyundai) was that the timing belt was possibly stretching a little bit and causing the misfire during the starting sequence, hence the intermittent problem.

Service Manager at the Hyundai Dealer said that since the Crank Sensor is NOT OEM this is the only cause of the problem.

Any Idea's?

Have any of you used Aftermarket Crank Sensors or strictly OEM?

Could the Timing Belt cause this and the Sensor I have be fine?

Are Aftermarket Timing Belts alright or should I get an OEM of that as well?

Thanks!

Hello,
I do not have any experience with the crank sensor, so I cannot help with that.

However, I would stick with an OEM timing belt, due to the fact that if it fails, it would probably ruin the engine.
Also, an OEM belt might be necessary to keep any car warranty you have intact.

Good luck.

As a side note, I am in Michigan, and I had a Hyundai dealership change the timing belt for me within the last year. The cost was $300.

Hello royalbrett!

Thanks for the reply.

I was thinking the same thing, there is no warranty left on the car.
The belt Dealer installed here in Nova Scotia is $271 + taxes.

And a Chinese 4PM Friday belt for $49 with a $100 install might sound good but if there was a problem the garage could say too bad you bought a bad belt, not our fault.

Where the Dealer might do more if it's all OEM.

Update to Crank Sensor / Starting Problem:

This AM I went back to the parts place and told them dealer diagnosis said "Bad Crank Sensor", He dug out another one.

Changed it in the parking lot 15Mins... Hot engine was fun to work around, but I still had to go to work.

When I pulled out the "Bad" one I noticed that there was a pile of rust on the silver magnetic end. I guess the local garage that I had change it initially possibly played a little "Find the Hole" while putting it in. I cleaned it off, but never tried it again.

Installed the second Crank Sensor straight in the hole, tightened the bolt AND Snapped the head off it.

Luckily there was a little tang left on the stud so I was able to tap it out. (Small bit O' Panic setting in there...) Got a bolt from the parts place...

It's been 10 starts so far and no issue. (Fingers Crossed)

Either it was a bad Crank Sensor, or the little mound of rust was blocking proper signal

I personally don't trust aftermarket sensors. There's nothing wrong with doing your own work, but I highly recommend using the OEM sensors. I have had nothing but problems when trying to use "discount parts", especially electronic components.

Remember, there's a reason they are cheaper than OEM.

Thanks LilBean

So far this ones working...

I definitely will get the dealer to put the timing belt on...
Piece of mind is worth the extra.

I believe that is true also.

Have you tried: fourgreen.com good place to get oem.

-tr

aftermarket crank sensor are about .5mm of a difference than oem. Aftermarket may rub on the crank senor ring. Found out the hard way. Some times the gasket of the old crank sensor gets stuck in the hole also.

This post has been edited by rancal: Aug 14 2008, 08:10 PM

Do you get a new gasket with a replacement sensor?

.5mm or .020" could a 'thin' or compressed old gasket cause that incursion?

-tr