My son has a 2000 Hyundai Tiburon that has been nothing but trouble since I bought it. I bought it used 2 yrs ago this coming February. I had to replace the alternator within one mth. of purchasing the car. I have replaced the : battery ( last mth.), replaced his axle, air filters,plugs and lord knows what else. I am at my wits end!! I received a call early today from my son(21) that he ran out of gas, or so he thought. I went out with a gas can and filled his car, it started right up. Fast forward 5 hours later....he was on his way to the store and his car suddenly died...again. He knew this time it wasn't low on gas. He phoned us and the hubby went to jump it. Hubby states the car started up, but after a minute or 2 the car died again. It is late Sunday night on a holiday weekend and no garage is open here. Anyone have any suggestions on what might be the problem NOW? I wish I never would have bought him this car! It has been nothing but trouble! I have a 2001 Elantra myself and have never had problems with it except for the airbag light being on continually since I was in an accident 2 yrs. ago. Thanks in advance for any help

 

sounds like it could be the alternator again.

 

Or the crankshaft position sensor. Or a short. I know there was a technical service bulletin out on the Elantras around that time about corrosion in the door harness connector that could lead to shorting issues or power windows/locks not working. Any problems with stuff in the doors?

Also, for a used car the things you cite are pretty normal things. Don't panic. I have an Escort wagon that seemed like it was ready to give up the ghost at 85,000 miles because of a lot of little problems. 40,000+ miles later, it's still running strong. Just because you have a few problems with a car doesn't necessarily mean the problems will continue.

 

You should have this looked into and repaired. You are running the risk on being in an accident with a car where the airbags and/or seatbelts may malfunction. Could be the difference between walking away from such an accident or not at all.

 

Thanks guys! My husband went and tried to start my sons car down the block where they had to leave it. It actually started right up this morning and he was able to drive it and drop it at the mechanics shop we use. The shop is closed today, but he left a note for the mechanic describing the problems we are having with the car.

I think it is weird that this problem keeps going on despite having replaced the alternator already. I wonder if the mechanics are not missing something. Why would it die and not start last night, but today it started right up and was able to be driven down the block?
Any suggestions?

As for the poster that mentioned my airbag light being on constantly on my Elantra. I keep meaning to take it in and have it checked, but apparently I only have time and money to keep my sons car running!HA!

I have been in 3 accidents since I bought the car in 2001. No problems whatsoever with my Elantra. After my last accident that left my car about totalled, I noticed the airbag light come on and never go off. The airbag never deployed, even though the whole hood of my car was crushed upwards towards my window and I was unable to evacuate the drivers side door. Apparently the impact had shoved something from the hood/frame and threw off my door hinge on the drivers side.

Anyway- thanks again for the help and suggestions. Please...keep them coming! I do not know anything about cars, only about nursing stuff!LOL!

 

for the whole hood to crumple up like that, the airbag should have deployed. that sounds like a lawsuit to hyundai if you got hurt and it could have possibly been avoided by the airbag. just my 2 cents