My 02 Accent (GSI, 3-door, standard) has been giving me starting problems for a few months now. Usually it's fine but every once in a while it takes a while to start or won't start at all. It'll turn overbut won't ignite. The check engine light doesn't come on and the battery is fine.

I first took it onto the place where I get the oil changed - a fairly reputable Autopro branch. They tested the battery, which apparently failed, and replaced it. The problem continued, but of course it was fine when I had it in to get it checked out so they said they couldn't do anything. It started happening more often so I took it into the Hyundai dealer. At first they just cleaned some contacts, which did nothing. Next time I had it in they checked the codes and a bunch of stuff came up (with no check engine light) and they figured the most likely thing was the camshaft sensor, which they replaced. After that it was fine for a couple months but it started doing it again. This time they checked the computer again and nothing came up. They started it without any problems several times over the day until one time it didn't start - and every single code that could possibly come up did. So they replaced the whole friggin computer, which was covered under the warranty. Lo and behold, the problem remains. Right now I'm sitting at home because it won't start at all.

The mechanics at the dealer don't know what's going on. The mechanics at the garage I had it in before don't know what's going on. I don't want to spend any more money replacing parts that don't need replacing. Has anyone here run into this before? Could it be a loose connection? Starter problem? Malfunctioning sensor? I'm getting really frustrated at this. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

unfortunately it could be anything. but do a search for a logical order to go about testing all the electricals.

Just a thought, but you might want to look into whether there is an intermittent problem with the coding ring on the ignition switch reading the key properly. Mine occaisionally won't fire, so I take the key out and try again, sometimes a couple of times, and then it fires up and is ok until it decides to do it again sometime
Chris

^That actually sounds probable. So if the key isn't being read properly, the key will turn but it won't actually start? I've never tried taking the key out and trying again.

edit - does it actually turn over and not fire, or does it not do anything?

This post has been edited by ImOscar: May 11 2006, 09:17 AM

Well they ended up replacing the crankshaft position sensor for free. Only time will tell if that was the actual problem.

if the chip in the key isn't being read properly, I don't think anything would happen. the key would turn but that's it.

With the key thing, I find the engine turns over, but it won't fire. I don't know for certain that that is the cause, but I mentioned the problem to the garage that was doing a service for me once, and that was the explanation they gave. It seems feasible, especially considering that removing the key and trying again seems to work. I really must get round to getting a new key anyway sometime.
Chris

Update: replacing the crankshaft sensor did nothing (lucky for me they didn't charge for it). It was giving me trouble a lot for 3-4 days, a week ago it did it twice in the morning, once when I was trying to start it to take it into another garage. I got it there and they had it for 3 days...and it worked perfectly for them the whole time. This forum needs a bang your head against a brick wall smilie.

I have exactly the same problem for over 3 months now. Had my car a week at the garage, of course no problems found. They also replaced (with my permission) the crankshaft-position sensor, although I did not get any guarantee on it. Charged 280 euros for it!!! Of course, one week later the problem occurred again. Went directly to the garage. They read out the SMARTA unit, but it did not indicate any problems.

If anyone knows what can be the problem, please let us know!

Louis

Im just curious if anyone has tried a different ignition coil, or pulled the plugs during on the of no-start episodes to check for spark. I assume the engine is turning over, but failed to start right?

Yes, it turns over. I haven't tried a different ignition coil or checking for a spark. None of the 3 places I've taken it into, including a dealer, have suggested that. The spark plugs were all changed on my last tuneup so I don't see how that could be the problem.

Another update: I've noticed that it gives me trouble more in wet weather than when it's dry. The other day it was raining in the morning and it refused to start at all. I had it towed to the dealer thinking if there was any day they could find the problem, it was today. Of course it worked perfectly once it got there. This time they had Hyundai HQ trying to figure out the problem, and they replaced the main engine relay. I paid $20 for the part, labour was free.

So this is the fourth part I've had replaced to fix the same problem:
-Cam sensor
-Computer
-Crank sensor
-Main engine relay

I've only paid full price for the first one but still, this is getting ridiculous. This is the last time I'm trying to fix the problem. If it happens again I'm dumping the Accent and getting something else. This could be my excuse to upgrade to a Mazda3 B)

dunno...you might want to check the alternator and make sure the batteries gettin charged...I know about a month ago I was havin similar problems...ended up havin to replace the alternator all together. Not really sure tho...hope that helps... :)

I was having this problem a month ago, change the spark plugs and it seemed like everything was fine. Then last saturday my car stalled while driving and wouldn't start back up. No check engine light. It then went back into doing the same things. Replaced the spark plugs, coolant, oil, air filter, etc... only to stall out while driving home from work. My car was towed to the dealer on Tuesday and has been there ever since. The dealer replaced the crankshaft and the sensor, said the car was ready to be picked up. I receive a call 10 minutes later that there is still a problem with the car because it will not start again. Still no check engine light. Any ideas??

I have a 2001 Accent that is doing this same thing. I first checked for spark... got it. Then the fuel pump... nothing. Pump was not running, so checked for power to it, and nothing. Checked the fuses and relay... good fuses, and the relay works when I manually trigger it, but it is not clicking with the key turning on. The powere lead taht trips the relay was getting no more than 8 volts, and it took 10 to trip it. So, I started messing under the dash. Went to try to start it again and it fired over, and ran perfectly for 10 minutes including shutting it off and restarting it several times, but then it died and wont start again. I was thinking it was the ignition switch too since the first time I got it to run I was wiggling the key in the ignition. Anyone ever replaced one of these and had it be the problem? If its not this, its the ECM or some other relay between the key and the fuel pump relay....

Thanks
Greg

Sounds like some how the eletrical system is shorting out. Since it happens in wet weather that could mean water is coming in contact with an exposed wire. It's hard to say what the exact reason for the car not starting. It could be the ignitions or starter.

Hello
did this problem get sorted i have same fault on accent 15mvi post ends with no positives

yes this happens to me when the car sits in wet weather. When it heats up it runs ok. When its cold and sitting in the rain then crank and no start. If I put it in the garage then it starts ok because the engine is dry. Once it is running it dosen't matter how wet it gets it runs fine because the engine heat dries out whatever the problem is. When wet and engine cold , crank but no start......OK this is my update 2 weeks later now... I changed the spark plug wires, changed the fuel filter and cleaned every electrical connection under the hood. By this I mean everywhere there was a connector like from the crank sensor to the wire harness I opened it and made sure the contact was clean and good before putting it back together. Also I looked at all the ground points under the hood... My car had a lot of corrosion and this makes for bad or resistive grounds which can cause intermittent electrical problems so clean it up if u can... I am happy to report that even in wet weather the car starts every time now!!!!! As of nov. 28 sill still starting every time in 1 second or less........... it is fixed!!!!!!

This post has been edited by hackizzz: Nov 28 2007, 11:59 AM

My wife has a 2000 Accent 1.5 DOHC. She has the exact problem. No reults/fixes yet.