Hello,
I have a 2013 Tucson limited with an intermittent stalling issue. The issue has been an ongoing problem for over a year now. Several mechanics have attempted to figure it out with no success.
Symptoms: occasionally stalls at stop lights, while sitting and idling (both in gear and in park). It does cough / cut out at highway speeds. initially started with a #1 cylinder misfire. However, currently no codes and the problem still persists

Repair Attempts: When the #1 cylinder misfire code started we marked the coils and moved them to see if the code would follow the could. #1 cylinder misfire continued. plugs replaced but problem persisted but no code. Therefore, coils were replaced. problem persisted, car taken to mechanic #1 who said it was crankshaft position sensor. Sensor replaced condition improved for a week or two then started again. Back at Mechanic #1 who stated cam position sensors, both replaced, within a week problem re-surfaced. Car taken to mechanic #2 mechanic kept it for a week but couldn't replicate the problem but noted recal #181 oil pressure sending unit recall. Car taken to dealer (two hours away is the closest) recall complete. Dealer said stalling issue didn't replicate after recall complete. Driving home (2 hour drive) symptoms surfaced again. Took car to mechanic #3 who kept car for a week. Mechanic #3 suspects torque converter causing the issue but admitted his scan tool couldn't access everything a dealers scan tool might be able to. I suspect the torque converter isn't the issue because it stalls in part and neutral as well. A transmission rebuild at $3000 seems to indicate the car should be traded in. I am scheduled to take it to a different dealer for another round of trouble shooting. I just feel like we have been throwing money at the problem without any assurances that we have found the problem. The car itself is in great shape (other than this issue) and we really dont want to get rid of it.

I am wondering if anyone else has had similar issues and has anyone found a solution.

 

You have one of the better Hyundai Tucsons.
From what I gather, you are hoping to find a technician that will find and correct the problem and you do not do any of your own work.

Suppose we look at what you have so far described,
It seems that whenever anyone got near the crank sensor wires whether they replaced the sensor or not it was OK for a few days.
Since faulty crank sensors don't usually provide any codes might be why there were no codes to help.

For what it is worth, It does sound like there is a problem with the wiring going to and from the crank sensor or the loss of the signal from the sensor for some reason.. A good tech will know where to look and what to look for and hopefully find what may be causing the loss of ignition signal resulting in a stall yet start right up without any problem.

This is only speculation, but you have provided some clues and it would be worth checking it out.

 

How long have you owned this vehicle?
And when did this condition start?

Sometimes a sticky or stuck open EGR valve can cause intermittent stalls
But, usually they put out an engine diagnostic trouble code
Still could clean it out?

 

Thank you both for your suggestions.

Avisitor, We have had the vehicle since it was new in 2013. it has 103k mile on it. The problem started about a year ago.

Hanky, I am glad to hear this Tucson is one of the better ones. We really like the car. We have had really good luck with Hyundai and Kia's, we have bought 2 hyundai's and 1 kia. You are correct I do very little of my own work anymore. I quit turning a wrench professionally back in the early 90's. so my experience is limited when it comes to computer controlled engines. OBD's were just coming out back then and working in a mom and pop shop we weren't seeing them yet since they were all still under warranty.

 

Just because a vehicle has a computer controlled engine and trans does not change some past experience from the school of hard knocks.
You had to take what info you could gather and based on past knowledge and experience come up with some type of diagnosis.
Now what you might consider is to just gather some knowledge regarding what some of the sensors do and what effect is produced when the info they provide is not good or rational. You will find all that has changed is ,there are many types of systems that all require correct info to tell that computer exactly what to do. Once you have some idea of "How it works" everything builds on that foundation , and they can get a little complicated at times, but most good mechanics liked a challenge and unless you have no further interest , will probably enjoy reading and learning some of the basics. What do you think?

 

I have been driving it the it the last couple days with the blue driver connected. I think I can rule out the torque converter since it is stalling in neutral and park as well. Leaning towards an ignition issue. Watching the graph of the timing advance for cylinder one it appear to wildly fluctuate when the engine stumbles (while idling). Short term fuel trim dips negative which if I understand it correctly it means it is enriching the mixture. It also threw and #1 cylinder misfire code.

 

Rich mixture?
Could it be a vacuum leak?

Another cylinder #1 misfire code?
Could it be the in-take manifold gasket??

Sorry, all wild guesses
But, it seems you're use to that coming from several mechanics with out the issue being fixed ... lol