All,

I have an 05' Sonata (4-Cyl, 2.4L, automatic trans, 100K mi) and it is acting up.

The car wont start when the key is turned and instead makes some clicking and the lights in the display panel flicker.

I had the original starter tested and it is fine. Out of an abundance of caution I still replaced the started motor assembly and the car still will not start. I have recently, in the last 1000 mi, replaced the: battery, alternator, drive belt, serp belt, timing belt, water pump, valve cover gasket, spark plug gaskets, and valve cover packing.

So, I started to think it was the flywheel teeth being broken/worn. However, I no longer think that.

The reason I don't think it is the flywheel is that every time you jump the car (ie. juice it up with another car/battery) the car starts. If it were the flywheel, I don't think it would start regardless of the extra available electric current. Thoughts? Also, I have tested the voltage drop from the battery to the starter assembly and it is on the order of 0.0 to -0.1V (ie. the battery reads 11.99 V and the contacts on the starter read 11.99-11.98 V.

So, this leads me to believe it is something in the starter electrical systems, a relay, solenoid, etc. that is causing the problem.

Anyone got any ideas?

Best,

analyticalalchemist

 

Your battery voltage seems low. I would expect more like 12.4 - 12.8 when the engine is not running.

What sort of voltage do you see from battery + to chassis GND when the engine is running?

None

 

That's a good questions, I did not test that. I will have a look this evening and report back.

Thanks much for the reply!

analyticalalchemist

 

Yeah, battery voltage is a little low. Have you replaced the cables? You may have a bad ground or connection.

 

Thanks to everyone who replied. The problem is now solved and your input got me on the right path.

Let me say that this is actually my sister-in-laws car and she had, unfortunately, my dumb-*** father-in-law replace the alternator--Ding, Ding, Ding!

Turns out he forgot to reconnect the cable to the alternator...

I reconnected and everything is working swimmingly!

Ugggggggg....

Thanks,

analyticalalchemist