I have been having problems with my 2008 Accent. If the car sits for 2 days without being driven it won't start. This happened regularly (ie. once a week in Nov 2010) and then again twice this fall in the space of a week. Given the age of the car I decided to replace the battery. My battery is 3 months old and this week the car wouldn't start - it wasn't driven over the weekend. In all cases I can say for sure that the lights were off, the trunk was closed, the interior lights were off and no key was left in the ignition.

I was told by the AAA folks that boosted the car each time that there is probably a draw on the battery. I took it into the dealership (in 2010 and again this fall when I replaced the battery), they say there is nothing wrong. But I know this isn't normal - there is a problem and they just can't or won't find it.

My questions: Is this a common problem with the Accent? Is there something more specific I can have the techs look for? Can this type of test be done by a regular mechanic or does is it have to be done by the dealer?

All help and suggestions are welcome.

 

Yes, there is a draw on the battery. Take it to another dealer or check yourself. Here's how to do it:

Automotive Repair: Locating Battery Drain Using Voltage Drop - YouTube
Parasitic drain, an automotive short circuit that may cause a recurring dead battery - YouTube

 

Definitely this is the problem of your battery. Your car remains idle for the long perid and this process is repeadly monthly. so the electrolyte inside the battery looses its charge and can not produce the electricity necessary for the spark to start the engine.
So its my advice to change the battery and keeps your car up to date.

 

my 06 accent had some of the same problem beginning at 78000 miles. i didnt replace the battery and still have it at 104000 miles. taking short trips with ac, headlamps and radio is not good. where practical i shut everything off for the last minute or two of driving, and i am able to start up fine.

 

Mine was totally dead after about 1 year