Hyundai won’t start – causes and how to fix it

Hyundai won’t start - how to fix it

Hyundai has been on a roll lately due to offering really good-looking and adamantly capable and well-equipped cars which often blur the lines between the affordable and the more premium end of the market. As far as reliability is concerned, Hyundai is one of the most reliable brands today which means that they offer solid cars that are built to last.

In this article, we are going to focus on why Hyundai won’t start – causes and how to fix it. For starters, we need to talk about the battery as battery problems make up the majority of reasons why a Hyundai won’t start. These include either a weak or a completely depleted battery, but can also be caused by corrosion build-ups on top of the battery’s terminals.

The second reason is a depleted key fob battery which can’t be recognized by the car and thus will not let you start the car up. The alternator and the starter motor are as important as the battery when it comes to powering the car up which is why these will also need looking into.

The spark plugs and the fuse box can sometimes be a reason why a Hyundai won’t start, but not often. Finally, we also need to talk about the fuel pump and the fuel filters which can get clogged and therefore not be able to deliver any fuel to the engine.

 Battery Issues

All Hyundai models come with a dedicated 12-volt battery intended to power the car up and provide juice for the car’s accessories and other essential systems. If the battery dies, the car will not get any electrical power and thus will fail to start the car up. Be sure to find a multimeter to test the battery’s output, if it reads 12-13 volts, everything is fine. If it reads more or less, the battery is faulty.

  Is Hyundai Palisade a good car?

Also, be sure to check the battery terminals for any signs of corrosion as these can also block the passage of electricity from the battery to the car. If you do find some, disconnect the battery first and then clean the corrosion off with a dedicated battery cleaner before testing and reconnecting the battery.

Starter Motor and Alternator Issues

The starter motor is located between the engine and the alternator and is intended to crank up the engine. As such, if you can’t hear the engine cranking when turning the key, chances are that your starter motor is to blame and thus will have to be replaced.

The alternator works in tandem with the battery which means that if your battery is dead, it could be due to the alternator not charging it on the move. To test this out, jump start the car with jumper cables. If the car later stalls or loses electrical power, the alternator is to blame and it should be replaced before it kills your battery completely.

Key Fob Battery Issues

All modern-day Hyundai models come with a key fob instead of a normal blade key primarily which means that they also come with keyless entry-and-go features. These will not be able to work if the key fob battery is dead which means that you should replace the key fob battery if you want the car to recognize that the key is inside the vehicle.

If you also have a standard blade key, try and gain access to the car that way. Then be sure to insert the blade key into the ignition and try to turn on the engine. If the car starts, the problem is with your key fob battery, if it does not, something else seems to be the problem.

  Common problems with Hyundai Ioniq 6

Fuse Box and Spark Plugs

The fuse box and the spark plugs are rarely the reason why a Hyundai won’t start, but should be inspected if all the above didn’t help you. The fuse box is usually located in the trunk of the vehicle and it houses all the fuses used to keep the car’s electrical systems safe in an event of a short circuit or the fuse is burnt.

If that is the case, be sure to replace the fuse with one that offers the same amperage. Moreover, if the spark plugs become dislodged and burnt, you can replace these two. If just one spark plug is faulty, the car should start, but it should also misfire. If more spark plugs are dead, the car is likely not going to start at all.

Fuel System Issues

The last two problems we are going to discuss are clogged fuel filters and a faulty fuel pump. If you fail to replace your fuel filters when needed, they can block the fuel passage to the engine which will lead to the car not wanting to start up.

On the other hand, if your fuel pump is to blame, it will not be able to send any fuel into the and thus will also lead to the car not wanting to start up. These are not overly common, but they can happen sometimes.

 FAQ Section

Does Hyundai Make Reliable Cars?

According to the 2019 WhatCar reliability survey, Hyundai won with a 95.7% result which placed it at the top of the car industry. The 2022 J.D. Power survey also ranks Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis as the most reliable car brands out there. As far as Consumer Reports is concerned, only the Santa Fe isn’t rated as the best out of the entire Hyundai lineup.

  Is Hyundai i30 a good car?

With these results, you can easily conclude that Hyundai makes some of the most reliable cars out there right now.

How Much Does A Hyundai Battery Cost?

Depending on the size, the output, the model, and the type, a Hyundai battery should cost anywhere between $50 and $250. This is considered a normal price tag for a replacement battery, but be sure to check if your warranty also covers a brand-new battery.

Should I Buy A Hyundai?

In 2022, Hyundai is one of the easiest brands to recommend as Hyundai currently offers many impressive cars like the Ioniq 5, the Ioniq 6, the Tucson, the Sonata, and the Elantra. All of these are immensely popular because they are well-priced, well-equipped, look great, and are really reliable.

Marko Mikulic

Why do you love writing about cars? I love writing about cars as cars are a huge personal interest of mine. I was raised in a car enthusiast community and ever since I was young, I always wanted to do car-related work.

Recent Posts