What To Know
- Connect the positive terminal of the jumper cable to the positive terminal of the Sonata’s battery and the negative terminal of the jumper cable to an unpainted metal surface on the Sonata.
- Then, connect the positive lead of the multimeter to the positive terminal of the starter motor and the negative lead of the multimeter to the negative terminal of the starter motor.
- Then, connect the positive lead of the multimeter to the positive terminal of the ignition switch and the negative lead of the multimeter to the negative terminal of the ignition switch.
Your Hyundai Sonata is a reliable vehicle, but like any other car, it can experience problems that prevent it from starting. If you find yourself in this situation, don’t panic. There are several common causes for a Hyundai Sonata not to start, and most of them can be easily diagnosed and fixed. In this blog post, we’ll explore the most likely reasons why your Sonata won’t start and provide step-by-step instructions on how to troubleshoot and resolve each issue.
Dead Battery
A dead or weak battery is one of the most common reasons why a Hyundai Sonata won’t start. The battery provides the electrical power needed to start the engine and power the car’s electrical systems. If the battery is dead, there won’t be enough power to turn over the engine.
Symptoms:
- The dashboard lights may not come on when you turn the key.
- You may hear a clicking sound when you try to start the engine.
- The engine may crank slowly or not at all.
Troubleshooting:
1. Check the battery terminals for corrosion or loose connections. Clean the terminals with a wire brush and tighten the connections.
2. Use a voltmeter to test the battery voltage. A healthy battery should have a voltage of around 12.6 volts. If the voltage is below 12 volts, the battery is likely dead and needs to be replaced.
3. If you have a jumper cable, you can try jump-starting the Sonata. Connect the positive terminal of the jumper cable to the positive terminal of the Sonata’s battery and the negative terminal of the jumper cable to an unpainted metal surface on the Sonata. Then, start the other vehicle and let it run for a few minutes. Try starting the Sonata again.
Bad Starter
The starter is responsible for turning over the engine. If the starter is bad, it won’t be able to engage the flywheel and start the engine.
Symptoms:
- You may hear a clicking sound when you try to start the engine.
- The engine may crank slowly or not at all.
Troubleshooting:
1. Check the starter connections for corrosion or loose wires. Clean the connections and tighten the wires.
2. Use a voltmeter to test the starter solenoid. The solenoid should have a voltage of around 12 volts when the key is turned to the “start” position. If the voltage is below 12 volts, the solenoid is likely bad and needs to be replaced.
3. If you have a multimeter, you can test the starter motor. Disconnect the positive battery cable from the battery. Then, connect the positive lead of the multimeter to the positive terminal of the starter motor and the negative lead of the multimeter to the negative terminal of the starter motor. Turn the key to the “start” position. The multimeter should read around 12 volts. If the voltage is below 12 volts, the starter motor is likely bad and needs to be replaced.
Faulty Ignition Switch
The ignition switch is responsible for sending power from the battery to the starter. If the ignition switch is faulty, it won’t be able to send power to the starter, and the engine won‘t start.
Symptoms:
- The dashboard lights may not come on when you turn the key.
- You may hear a clicking sound when you try to start the engine.
- The engine may crank slowly or not at all.
Troubleshooting:
1. Check the ignition switch for loose wires or corrosion. Clean the connections and tighten the wires.
2. Use a voltmeter to test the ignition switch. Disconnect the positive battery cable from the battery. Then, connect the positive lead of the multimeter to the positive terminal of the ignition switch and the negative lead of the multimeter to the negative terminal of the ignition switch. Turn the key to the “start” position. The multimeter should read around 12 volts. If the voltage is below 12 volts, the ignition switch is likely bad and needs to be replaced.
Empty Gas Tank
If your Hyundai Sonata‘s gas tank is empty, it won’t be able to start. The fuel pump needs gas to operate and send fuel to the engine.
Symptoms:
- The fuel gauge may be reading empty.
- You may have recently run out of gas.
Troubleshooting:
1. Check the fuel gauge to make sure it’s reading correctly.
2. If you’ve recently run out of gas, add at least 2 gallons of gas to the tank.
3. Try starting the engine again.
Clogged Fuel Filter
The fuel filter is responsible for removing dirt and debris from the fuel before it reaches the engine. If the fuel filter is clogged, it can restrict the flow of fuel to the engine and prevent it from starting.
Symptoms:
- The engine may start and then stall.
- The engine may run rough or sputter.
- You may experience a loss of power.
Troubleshooting:
1. Check the fuel filter for dirt or debris. If the filter is dirty, replace it with a new one.
2. Try starting the engine again.
Bad Fuel Pump
The fuel pump is responsible for sending fuel from the gas tank to the engine. If the fuel pump is bad, it won’t be able to send fuel to the engine, and the engine won‘t start.
Symptoms:
- The engine may start and then stall.
- The engine may run rough or sputter.
- You may experience a loss of power.
Troubleshooting:
1. Check the fuel pump for leaks or damage. If the fuel pump is leaking or damaged, replace it with a new one.
2. Try starting the engine again.
Faulty Crankshaft Position Sensor
The crankshaft position sensor is responsible for sending a signal to the engine’s computer that tells it when to fire the spark plugs. If the crankshaft position sensor is faulty, the engine won‘t be able to start.
Symptoms:
- The engine may crank but not start.
- The check engine light may be on.
Troubleshooting:
1. Check the crankshaft position sensor for damage or loose wires. Clean the connections and tighten the wires.
2. Use a multimeter to test the crankshaft position sensor. Disconnect the positive battery cable from the battery. Then, connect the positive lead of the multimeter to the positive terminal of the crankshaft position sensor and the negative lead of the multimeter to the negative terminal of the crankshaft position sensor. The multimeter should read around 5 volts. If the voltage is below 5 volts, the crankshaft position sensor is likely bad and needs to be replaced.
What to Do If Your Hyundai Sonata Won’t Start
If you’ve tried all of the troubleshooting steps above and your Hyundai Sonata still won’t start, you should take it to a qualified mechanic for further diagnosis. The mechanic will be able to use specialized tools and equipment to identify the exact cause of the problem and repair it.
Questions You May Have
Q: What are the most common reasons why a Hyundai Sonata won’t start?
A: The most common reasons why a Hyundai Sonata won‘t start are a dead battery, a bad starter, a faulty ignition switch, an empty gas tank, a clogged fuel filter, a bad fuel pump, and a faulty crankshaft position sensor.
Q: What should I do if my Hyundai Sonata won’t start?
A: If your Hyundai Sonata won‘t start, you should first check the battery, starter, ignition switch, gas tank, fuel filter, fuel pump, and crankshaft position sensor. If you’re not able to identify the problem yourself, you should take it to a qualified mechanic for further diagnosis.
Q: How much does it cost to fix a Hyundai Sonata that won’t start?
A: The cost to fix a Hyundai Sonata that won’t start will vary depending on the cause of the problem. However, the average cost to repair a Hyundai Sonata that won’t start is between $200 and $1,000.
