Will not start?

MICHOJ

MEMBER
2017 HYUNDAI SONATA
2.4L
AUTOMATIC
100,665 MILES

My car had been stalling to turn on last month but nothing serious, it would happen only sometimes. They took it to AutoZone they told me my battery was low, and at the time (a month ago) I didn't get it charged because I was working on the clock and had to leave, and it then eventually went back to normal. Now yesterday my car stopped turning on, my lights, radio, and alarm turns on but it won't start. I tried getting battery from another car twice and nothing. Took my battery to AutoZone and charged it for 2 hours. They told me the battery had a dead cell. I bought a new battery and hooked it up and my car is still completely dead. Any ideas?

10 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,896 POSTS

Hi,

If you have a new battery and the starter doesn't engage, we need to check if the starter is getting power. I assume the lighting and other electrical components are still working. If that is incorrect, let me know.

Here is what I need you to do: At the starter motor, you will see a heavy gauge black wire. That is direct from the battery and should have 12v at all times. Confirm that first.

If that is good, locate the smaller blue wire. It should not have power until the key is in the start position. So, have a helper turn the key to the start position while you check for power to that wire. If there is power, the starter is the likely cause. If there is no power, let me know and we will need to work backward to see where power is lost.

Here is a link you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.

Image (Click to make bigger)

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Thursday, November 17th, 2022 AT 5:15 PM

MICHOJ

MEMBER
10 POSTS

Thank you for your help. I'm sorry if this is a dumb question but do I need some sort of checking machine for this? I know nothing about cars. Yesterday my co worked tried moving the starter with a screwdriver to see if it worked but we couldn’t even locate it.

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Thursday, November 17th, 2022 AT 8:20 PM

MICHOJ

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10 POSTS

Also, does my old battery have a bad cell and not working according to AutoZone have anything to do with my starter?

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Thursday, November 17th, 2022 AT 8:24 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,896 POSTS

Hi,

Yes, if you had a bad cell, the battery it's likely the battery wouldn't have had the power to engage the starter, but you may have heard a click or clicking.

As far as the starter is concerned, it is hidden under a few things. I attached a pic below of its location.

As far as the test is concerned, you can use a multimeter/voltmeter or even a test lamp to check for power.

Here are two links that explain how to use them:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Don't be intimidated by it. I'll help if you have questions.

Take care and let me know what I can do to help.

Joe

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Thursday, November 17th, 2022 AT 8:48 PM

MICHOJ

MEMBER
10 POSTS

Hello Joe, thank you so much for your help. My friend has a voltmeter and was going to come check out the car tomorrow but today out of curiosity I tried turning my car on and it started. I turned it back off and then back on and it worked. Any idea what I should do next? I left the new battery sitting there for 4 days now.

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Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022 AT 2:06 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,896 POSTS

Hi,

If you haven't had any issues since the new battery was installed, that may have been the problem. Sorry, not being there makes me have to ask a question. Have you had any issues since the new battery was installed?

Let me know.

Joe

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Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022 AT 6:42 PM

MICHOJ

MEMBER
10 POSTS

No, no issues at all aside from that staing for a few seconds to turn in about a month ago. I took it to a mechanic right now and he tested the batter and alternator, and he said it has to be the starter. But unsure if there is any issue at all aside from the battery.

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Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022 AT 6:53 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,896 POSTS

Hi,

It is possible the starter is failing. When this happens, you can try a few things, but if you are not in a safe area away from traffic, it may be difficult.

Here is a link that you may find of interest. Take a look through it and let me know if you are comfortable performing what is suggested.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Let me know your thoughts.

Take care,

Joe

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Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022 AT 7:24 PM

MICHOJ

MEMBER
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Hi Joe, the mechanic who had my car called me back. He said my starter is good and passed all the tests. He noticed a volt or a cable, not sure what he meant loose, and said he tightened and arranged everything good and has been turning the car on and off since yesterday and everything seems good. He explained that could have been the issue and could have also been related to burning or damaging my battery. However, he said he can't say 100% something else isn't wrong he just didn't find it to be the alternator, or starter. Any ideas? Does this seem accurate?

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Friday, November 25th, 2022 AT 12:56 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,896 POSTS

Hi,

Did he tell you which wire was loose? Certainly, if it is something related to the alternator or starter, it could prevent it from starting. Did he indicate anything on the receipt?

Let me know.

Joe

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Friday, November 25th, 2022 AT 7:33 PM