Car stops running completely but starts up again for brief time

5

Asked by Baffled Mar 22, 2011 at 04:16 PM about the 1998 Hyundai Accent GSi 2-Door Hatchback FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Driving car on highway when lights began to dim-pulled off and it quit completely-shop installed new battery-drove 2 miles-same problem-waited half hour/it started-went a few blocks-quit again (repeat 3 more tinmes)  Shop is baffled because they can"t "re-create" the problem. Not the altenator because it re-starts and runs briefly.

31 Answers

275

Sounds like the alternator. The battery starts the car but the alternator keeps it running. Your vehicle would run breifly just on battery juice. The problem is either the wiring to the alternator or the alternator itself.

27 people found this helpful.
2,120

I have an Hyudai accent 1999 that just started to act up. It will quit or not start for no reason after driving short distances. No lights dim, it will just not re-start after I shut it off, or will stall at intersections. It ALWAYS re-starts. Sometime 5 minutes later, sometimes an hour later. My mechanic can't find the problem because it always starts later. Any one have any ideas?

212 people found this helpful.
520

thats not a mechanic then hes just a auto parts replacer. a true mechanic would test sensors and modules, relays and fuses

31 people found this helpful.
520

take you alternator seperate to an auto parts store to get tested for free. and just to be a lil bit more sure 1.turn on your vehicle 2. remove the positive cable (make sure it doesn't touch any metal or wires) 3. check that the engine is still running on idle the raise the rpm's to pass 1 and if it does shut off on you alternator is fine. also if you have a ignition module it doesnt hurt checking that too but you need to remove it and take it to get check @ an auto parts store(also free) if its bad buy it

17 people found this helpful.
530

It could be the crankshaft position sensor...not sure if you ever figured it out but mine would start up fine and it would die after about 5 to 10 minutes of driving only to restart again an hour later. You can find the sensor online for about $20 to $30 and replace it yourself....keep in mind it's a pain to get to. You'll need a 10mm socket with a swivle, and extension. The sensor is located at the front of the engine on the right hand side under the exhaust pipes and directlybehind the O2 sensor. You'll need to take off the plastic cover on the bottom of the car to access it because there's no way of getting to it from the top unless you want to unbolt and remove what I believe is the water pump. You may also want to unbolt and remove the bracket holding the wire from the sensor...it's bolted to the right side of the engine with a large 17mm gold(brass) bolt. There's a wire clip hold the plug into the socket for the sensor, just get a small flat head screw driver and pry it up then it will slide off...make sure to put the clip back on when you install the new sensor.

53 people found this helpful.
145

Just changed the Crankshaft Angle Censor on my 1997 (manual) hyundai Excel. Tools used: 1 x 3/8 ratchet. 1 x 3/8 to 1/4 crossover. 1 x 1/4 drive extension bar. 1 x 1/4 drive 10mm socket. 1 x 1/4 drive 12mm socket. 1 x small screwdriver. I firstly removed the 2 x 12mm securing bolts on the clutch slave cylinder and the 12mm securing bolt on the support bracket for the clutch fluid hose. I was then able to reposition the slave cylinder giving easier access to the 10mm retaining bolt on the censor. Having carefully removed the censor and the 'O' ring, the unit waas the ndisconected from the cable connetion. Replacement was a reversal of the removal. The whole job, start to finish, took about an hour, I thought that was not bad for an amateur mechanic. The car; it runs like a dream.

14 people found this helpful.
220

My Hyundai Accent had a similar problem of stalling after few meter. I checked all sensor particularly the Oxygen sensor and crankshaft sensor but all were positive. I consulted my friend an electrician and upon attending the vehicle he went direct to the both sensors where he found that the crankshaft sensor connector was loose. I really pitied. Just check the connection of all sensor.

22 people found this helpful.
180

I agree with Dave and Garry. My 2000 Accent started stalling after about 10 minutes and then would not start for a short while. Replaced the ignition coil- no difference. Replaced the crank angle sensor and hey presto! Problem solved.

18 people found this helpful.
110

Could be the ignition switch. No one ever considers this as a possible source of the problem . If the car runs fine, but cuts out, could be electrical. Combine this with the fact that you can start the car with a screw driver, very distinct possibility of position of the key. Running rough will point to a different problem.

11 people found this helpful.
90

Same. Problem with my daughters 2005 Hyundai elantra... We changed fuel module cam and crank sensor... But no luck... Then it hit us the car was losing spark ... We changed the ignition coil pack and have not had any more problems

9 people found this helpful.
190

I had this issue with my 1999 Hyundai Accent. The car engine would cut out completely as I slowed down to stop at intersections. I couldn't restart the car immediately after it cut out, but it would start again maybe a few hours later. Keen to fix it myself, I misdiagnosed it as a faulty battery and installed a new one; needless to say the problem persisted. Then I concluded it must be a faulty alternator, so replaced that; once again, the problem persisted. Then, after finding this thread, I decided to replace the crankshaft position sensor as a last resort before taking it to a garage. I have an OBD code reader but the engine light was not on so there were no fault codes so this was just a pure gamble based on the success of people in this thread. The sensor was US$25 on Amazon and took 15mins to replace. For my car all i needed was a small ratchet (~100mm long) and 10mm socket. I've been driving the car for over a week now without any problems at all! Thanks team

19 people found this helpful.
880

I have a 2004 Hyndai Accent and basically has the same issues as those mentioned. It dies after 10-15 minutes while on the highway. It loses power like there is no fuel. Press the gas pedal and then it re-engages again....Replaced the crankshaft sensor but no luck. No engine light appears so I guess the sensor is good. What else should I do?

88 people found this helpful.
250

I have a accent 2002 modle GLS .when it drive mode and pushing the break.suddenly slow the engine for seconds.some time engine stops and suddenly starts.what's the problem

25 people found this helpful.
30

Hi Eliotgio 1968, try the ignition coil then...

3 people found this helpful.
510

2008 Hyundai accent was coming to a stop sign felt a litte pull stop at the sign proceeded to give gas wouldn't go turned off the car restarted it won't start at all what could be the problem

51 people found this helpful.
130

Have a 2009hynda accent drives and runs fine .but once you shut it off it wont start dash lights on headlights work no click on nothing when turning over got a new battery.

13 people found this helpful.
360

I have a Hyundai Accent 2010 it working very well but sometimes stop working and take like five minutes to start again

36 people found this helpful.
230

2009 Hyundai Accent stalls out and dies no codes come up. Is it the dealerships fault should this be considered a recall? It only has 79000 miles but it was doing this at 69000 miles

23 people found this helpful.
110

Hello,sorry for the problems you guys are having, worked on Hyundai's cars for years and have found that the temp sensor go's bad .Try replacing that, it worked on several I looked at.

11 people found this helpful.
80

Had same issue with 06 Hyundai sonata died while running lights dimmed radio shut off then car slowly died waited it started again and repeat I removed altternater and bat had them tested checked out good put it all back together drove a while happened again this time the battery light came on I replaced battery,surpentie belt finally decided to change the alternator and success been over a year hasn't happened since

8 people found this helpful.
60

hi sir when i start my air condition my car engine is off. i change my vvt sensor wiring of this sensor is good fuel pump is changed and car timming is correct. tell me what is the problem in my car hyundai elentra 2010

6 people found this helpful.
70

Hi,I was driving on a freeway wen I heard some sound coming from the engine side,,wen I throttle the car that sound will come and the car has no moving power so I pulled over switched off the engine Cus I saw the temperature gauge was risen...wen I opened the bonnet I noticed that the water in my radiator was finished. One of the pipe that connects to the heater was not fixed properly so all the water in radiator went off from there..wen I fixed it probably and filled my radiator with water the car refused to start.what can be the problem?.its a 2014 Hyundai Accent 1.6 GLS/FLUID.thanks for your help.

7 people found this helpful.
60

my 1996 Hyundai car start and not keeping up can anyone tel mi why

6 people found this helpful.
210

2009 Hyundai Accent Crankshaft Sensor Issues/ P0335 What Happened: Engine turns off for no apparent reason when driving. Will restart, but engine turns off soon after restart. What Corrected the Condition: My Local AutoZone provided a free engine diagnostic test to verify the Battery, Alternator & read the OBD2 code stored in my car’s engine computer. My 2009 Hyundai Accent threw a P0335 code. P0335 is a OBD-II generic diagnostic trouble code DTC indicating a malfunction in the crankshaft position circuit. I bought a Crank Position Sensor, part number SU12973 for $50.99 including tax. My Local AutoZone provided the 10 mm socket/wrench to remove the bad Crank Position Sensor and I installed the new. No problems further problems. I would always recommend an engine diagnostic test prior to “throwing parts” at any engine issue. If your auto parts provider does not offer a free engine diagnostic test, please consider paying for the diagnostic test. You will be dollars ahead, for sure! I hope this HELPS. Here is a YouTube video to show where the Crank Position Sensor is located. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb-ujoO1sIc

21 people found this helpful.
10

I have a 2001 Hyundai Elantra tan fine for a couple of days then just died would not start back up bought new battery and still nothing lights and everything comes on but won’t turn over replaced heater blower fuse because it wasn’t working could this be it

1 people found this helpful.

I ended up changing the Cam shaft sensor and VVT solenoid. Hopefully that works!

My 2009 hyundai elantra stops on the road when i opened the driver's door while the car is on. please help

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