Car starts in ACC position?

Tiny
CWEBSTER#1
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 220,000 MILES
Brand new starter, brand new ignition switch, and it starts in acc position and will not stop unless you put it in reverse or drive. I know it shouldn't do that it supposed to crank in start position and disengage in the on position. Please help me so I can fix it for my wife.
Sunday, June 30th, 2024 AT 2:31 PM

23 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,352 POSTS
Was it doing this before the new parts? Does it have anything like an aftermarket alarm or remote start? From the description it sounds like either the switch connector or wiring is shorted or perhaps the start relay is fused shut.
To start testing we will pull the start fuse from the fuse block under the left side of the dash and see if it still does it. If it stops then I would look at the connector to the switch real close to see if one of the pins got bent and is shorting in the connector.
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+1
Sunday, June 30th, 2024 AT 5:00 PM
Tiny
CWEBSTER#1
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Thanks but I haven't had the chance to fix it yet but when I do I will let you know.
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Tuesday, July 9th, 2024 AT 11:59 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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No rush, update us as and when you can.
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Tuesday, July 9th, 2024 AT 5:00 PM
Tiny
CWEBSTER#1
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Just took the start fuse out and checked and it didn't do it, so what's next?
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Wednesday, July 10th, 2024 AT 5:22 PM
Tiny
CWEBSTER#1
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Images of connector on the switch.
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Wednesday, July 10th, 2024 AT 5:44 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Okay, so you pulled the fuse, and it stopped trying to start in ACC? In that case take a test light connected to ground and go to the start fuse again. Turn the key to ACC and then touch both of the contacts where the fuse was. Watch the light, now turn the key to start and hold it and probe again. If the light comes on in ACC there is a problem in the switch or its wiring. It should only come on in start. You said the switch was replaced? Was that for this same issue and is the switch OEM of aftermarket?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester
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Wednesday, July 10th, 2024 AT 6:38 PM
Tiny
CWEBSTER#1
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No, it wasn't for the same reason someone tried to steal or crank it with a flathead screwdriver, and we had to replace the switch after that, but it wasn't doing that when the switch was replaced it started doing that months after.
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Wednesday, July 10th, 2024 AT 9:58 PM
Tiny
CWEBSTER#1
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We even replaced that switch again recently.
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Wednesday, July 10th, 2024 AT 9:59 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Okay, you replaced the key cylinder and the ignition switch and after sometime this issue developed. Was anything else done? Like an aftermarket alarm or stereo? The reason I ask is that based on pulling the start fuse stopping this, there has to be some spot where the power from the accessory circuit is bridging to the starter circuit. It could even be two wires rubbed together in the harness but only through testing will we track it down.
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Thursday, July 11th, 2024 AT 4:31 PM
Tiny
CWEBSTER#1
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No aftermarket alarm or aftermarket stereo all of that is original that's why I don't understand myself but hopefully stick with me please because she really needs this fix so she can be okay, and I can be okay so if you can whatever you can do help me, please.
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Friday, July 12th, 2024 AT 6:07 AM
Tiny
CWEBSTER#1
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Oh, and I just want to thank you for responding and going this far with me and sticking with me. Thank you so much
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Friday, July 12th, 2024 AT 6:08 AM
Tiny
CWEBSTER#1
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When it first started for a minute the starter got replaced okay then it still was doing it so we replaced it ignition switch still doing it and the other day when I cranked it I checked it out I started it in the start position and turn it back to on and it didn't do it so I was like okay it's great now but when we drove it for a while then cut it off at any store or anything after that when I turned it off and cranked it up started doing it again.
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Friday, July 12th, 2024 AT 6:11 AM
Tiny
CWEBSTER#1
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I forgot to mention that it cranks in ACC it actually starts only thing will make it stop it when you put it in reverse and drive.
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Friday, July 12th, 2024 AT 6:13 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Okay, based on everything so far, the issue isn't in the starter or the starting circuit itself. It has to be in the switch or the wiring harness. The fact that it stopped doing it but then it came back also suggests it's in the wiring. What it sounds like is that power is jumping from the acc/run circuit side of the switch to the start circuit. The problem could be right in the harness near the switch. Another question, when you turn the key and the starter turns the engine over, does the starter stop turning if you move the key to the run position? If you cannot tell, you could remove the SNSR fuse 3 in the fuse box under the hood, that would disable the fuel injectors so that the engine won't start. If you turn the key to ACC and it keeps trying to start in the ACC and ON then it's a short in the wiring.
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Saturday, July 13th, 2024 AT 2:32 PM
Tiny
CWEBSTER#1
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Could it be the wires on the starter?
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Saturday, July 13th, 2024 AT 2:40 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Nope. If they were the cause it wouldn't respond to the key or fuse and it wouldn't be intermittent.
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Saturday, July 13th, 2024 AT 2:53 PM
Tiny
CWEBSTER#1
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I did what you said I removed the start fuse and used the tester light turned it to ACC no response did it would start a little but no response for ACC so tell me something at this point I need some help.
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Saturday, July 13th, 2024 AT 3:57 PM
Tiny
CWEBSTER#1
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I'm sorry it's not doing it in acc it's doing it in the on position it cranks in the on position and stayes engaged unless you put it in reverse or drive and I noticed as you moved the shifter the dash and radio goes blank unless you move it from that position.
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Saturday, July 13th, 2024 AT 4:44 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Okay, so you turn the key to on and the starter spins and stays spinning unless you shift it. Still not the starter or starter relay circuit but it might be easier to find the fault knowing the starter stays engaged.
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Saturday, July 13th, 2024 AT 6:53 PM
Tiny
CWEBSTER#1
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Sorry, I'm wrong it cranks and runs as soon as you turn it to the on position.
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Saturday, July 13th, 2024 AT 10:43 PM

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