Need help to find out whats wrong with my car.?

Question

I am looking for some answers to my recent car problem. It all started on Friday of last week 12/27/2013. I have a 2006 Hyundai Sonata V6 with 103,500 miles on it. Everything has worked fine on the car until last week. I was in line at border inspection station in Santa Teresa when all of sudden my car started to sputter for about 10 seconds and then the engine turned off. The electrical stuff was still on, radio, dashboard lights, aux, windows worked. So I put the car in park and then tried to turn the car on again. The car turned over but the RPM needle didn't get past 1K when the engine turned off. So again I tried to turn on the engine and this time I gave it some gas but nothing. By this time the border agents pushed my car aside to let the others pass. Then about 2 minutes later the car turned on as if nothing was wrong. The RPM was fine, no check engine lights, nothing so I went on my way to drive 500+ miles back to Dallas w/o any issues.

Well today I got the same thing happened again three times. First, I was on the street going about 30 when all of sudden I noticed the car wasn't getting any gas. The RPM needle was not going up and then the car engine stopped which then meant I had no power steering and power brakes. I pulled over to the side and then tried again. The engine did the same thing, it turned on but car did get back past 1k RPM and I pressed the gas pedal and nothing. I waited about 2 minutes, turned the key and the car started up nicely. Continue to drive and went straight home.

The other two times I was going down the highway about 75 when the car started to coast. I pressed the gas pedal and nothing. The car just started to slow down so I pulled over. I still had power steering and power brakes because the engine still had some RPM when I looked but as I got closer to the shoulder the engine stopped and it got hard to steer and brake. So I waited about 2 minutes and the car started fine and I got off the next exit and made a u-turn home. Then it happened again. Same issue.

At first I thought it could be something wrong with fuel filter or pump but not sure. I thought battery or alternator but not sure.

Any help would be greatly appreciated that could point me in the right direction.

Answer 1

It could be a clogged fuel filter, or a piece of junk floating in the filter and it gets sucked up and plugs or partially plugs the fuel line, causing your problem. You let it sit for a few minutes and since the fuel pump is off the piece of crud drops away from the line and it starts right back up until it sucks the piece of crud up again and the process repeats over and over and over. If it only partially clogs it then the engine is not getting the correct fuel amount or pressure meaning it won't perform or run right (your not going over 1,000 RPM issue).



It could also be a failing fuel pump, the pump motor or pump gets hot and starts to not develop correct pressure or vaporizes the gas and the car dies, after a few minutes it seems to return to normal until it fails again.



In either case it will get worse to the point the van may not even run at all.



I suspect if it has never had the fuel filter changed in 100k + miles it is likely the problem since they should be changed every 50k or so.

Answer 2

A good job of giving detailed info on the symptoms that lead up to the failure. I think it might be fuel starvation, but it could also be a heat condition that is causing an electrical ignition or powertrain control module failure and when it cools off slightly the engine restarts. Maybe even a coil pack getting too HOT and failing and then working OK when cooled off. These problems are sometimes VERY hard for a factory trained, experienced tech to pinpoint and diagnose, but they see the same brand and models all the time so that might be the most economical choice at this time. One other suggestion, let it sit for hours or overnight and have a new car picked out to trade it in one and make it someone else's problem, at 104k miles I am sure you have other issues around the next 20-30K mile corner and how about tires, battery, brakes, struts/shocks and other routine maintenance, tune ups etc? Is it time for you to be driving a trouble free and safer car, all things considered maybe you still owe on this one or you have taken perfect care of it and know it is still a good driver after this issue is sorted out. Good Luck with this problem and the decisions.

Answer 3

The APP (Accelerator Pedal Position) sensor is a very common failure on the Sonata of this year, Scan the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) and look for;

any of these Codes P2138, P2127, P0606, P2105, and P2106.



NOTE: The APP is located where the Accelerator pedal is mounted.

Answer 4

#1. Change the fuel filter first.



#2. Ask a trusted privat mechanic or dealer of the cat to test the fuel pressure on the fuel rail pressure fitting. This is a very inexpensive test BUT the fuel filter must must be clean to get and accurate fuel pressure reading.



#3. Remove and clean the crankshaft position sensor which sends TIMED 12.6 volt impulsed to the ignition coils to fire the spark plugs.



#4. Remove and clean the camshaft position sensor.



#5 Remove and clean the idle air control valve.



PS Hear we go again. Another Yahoo non-mechanic. As you know your car does NOT have a rear differential1

Answer 5

Mostly when the Crankshaft sensors (CKP) on the car react to hot or cold temperature will result in no spark and the vehicle will shut off.



The same thing will happen to the Main relay, fuel pump relay etc..



Sadly, the complex diagnosis to find the cause to correct the problem is out for most people due to proper tools and diagnostic equipment/ Machines are needed and familiar how all related system work.



My suggestion to you is to get help from someone who knows how to...

Answer 6

Get your car to a shop with a computer assisted troubleshooting machine.

Most likely your crankshaft or camshaft position sensors are failing.

Answer 7

Its most likely a low/ almost dead battery. It may also be the rear differential.