Loses power then sputters and shuts off

JENNIFER WHEAT

MEMBER
2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE
3.5L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
290,000 MILES

Okay, here's the gist of it: One day after cutting the vehicle off and then go to crank up to leave, nothing. Thought it was the battery, so I get a jump. Cranks but soon shuts off right after wards. Get second jump, car loses power the starts to sputter and shuts off. Figured it was out of gas (needed some in it anyway) put gas in still same thing. Every time it gets cranked it idea shortly after and drains the battery every time. What is it?

3 Replies

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

This sounds like a fuel issue so we need to rule that out first. Here is a guide on how to check fuel pressure. Let's check the pressure first and go from there.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

If I understand the issue properly, when the vehicle shuts off does it crank and not start or when you turn the key the engine does not even spin over? If it doesn't spin over then this is not a fuel issue.

Let me know what the fuel pressure is or a little more detail on what the issue is and we can go form there. Thanks

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Wednesday, July 22nd, 2020 AT 3:45 PM

JENNIFER WHEAT

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I have to get it jumped off via jump box or another vehicle, but once it loses power then shuts off I can't crank it again. It attempts to but the battery has no juice.

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Wednesday, July 22nd, 2020 AT 7:06 PM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Okay. Let's start with testing the battery and alternator to make sure we are starting with a sound charging system.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

Based on this info, I suspect we have an issue with the alternator. However, this depends on how long after the battery was replaced it drained again. Either way, we need to confirm the battery and alternator are okay and go from there as a severely drained battery will cause these issues. Thanks

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Wednesday, July 22nd, 2020 AT 7:19 PM