Hello all,
My car is an automatic 2001 Hyundai Elantra GT w/ approximately 65,000 mi. The car recently, and very suddenly, started having trouble whenever I try to start it. When I turn the key, I often get a rapid clicking noise. Once the car starts, it runs fine. Furthermore, after I have gotten it to start, it starts easily if I turn the car off and try again. However, upon leaving the car to sit for extended periods of time (hours), it becomes stubborn again. Any help is appreciated.

P.S.

Another anomoly appeared once I started having problems starting the car. The display on the trip computer that shows the car's gas milleage resets itself every time I start the car. I hope this may shed some light on what may be wrong. Thanks again.

hey snake,
Welcome to the forum. Well, I have the same problem as yours. My car has got the same starting problems. I got suggestions from a lot of experts in this forum as well as other forums. I don't say I have an exact solution for the problem, but I would suggest to have a look at all the posts under my name " Bruc_Almighty". They are all recent posts , so u won't have problems finding the messages. I hope that would help you. Well, and if the problem is solved, don't forget to post back in the forum.

Cheers,
Raj

Thanks for the reply Bruc_Almighty. I read your posts, and the problem seems to be somewhat similar. However, my CEL does not light up, and the problem happens on a very consistent basis, as opposed to the unpredictable problems that you seem to be experiencing. Again, I point out that the gas mileage display on the trip computer seems to reset itself every time I start the car. Additionally, after I get the car started, I can turn it off, then start it again with no problems. However, if the car is off for even minutes, as I discovered earlier tonight, it will have some trouble starting.

Given the nature of what I have described, does anyone think this might be a problem with the alternator or the battery? Again, any help is much appreciated.

this is definately a battery problem or bad connections on the battey terminals etc.
first, check all the connections on the battery and also on the earth lead where it connects on the engine and the positive lead where it connects on the stater motor. if this is all o/k you will need to have the charging rate checked to rule out a faulty alternator. if this is o/k then you have a faulty battery. the reason that the gas milage resets itself is that due to the dead battery it is losing it's memory.

Hello again everyone,

I had a couple of my more mechanically inclined friends check out the car, and one of them discovered that while I was turning the key, smoke was comming out of the vents on the battery! I promptly replaced the battery, and it starts fine! Thanks to everyone for your help!

lt's still worth getting the alternator charge rate checked in case it's at fault, this only takes five mins. at a reputable garage

Montego's point is a good one - if the battery was "cooked" by an overcharging alternator then its worthwhile getting it checked so your next battery doesn't go the same way.

Your observation "smoke was comming out of the vents on the battery" suggests a possible overcharging condition that has boiled away the electrolyte - you may have noticed a rotten egg smell coming from the engine compartment.

I did notice the smell of sulfuric acid. I will get the alternator checked out. Thanks guys.

Along with the output test, you also want to know if the voltage regulator (which in these cars is integral to the alternator) is working correctly.

Its a bit more complicates because it requires both a volt meter and an ammeter - see http://www.hmaservice.com/webtech/iindex.a...1444#_394891444


The regulator is what tells the alternator when to charge the battery. If it fails, then the alternator just goes on charging and overheats the battery.

A bad connection in the charging circuit can cause the same problem

Any chance you are still under warranty? If so, your dealer should cover this.

Oh - I just re-read your first post - if you are a second owner you may be just outside the warranty - I'd try a dealer anyway - they should look at helping you out on a goodwill basis since this has probably been going on for some time and the battery has only just failed.

This post has been edited by gordo: May 4 2005, 11:38 AM