Are you having a problem with your Hyundai Sonata? The Hyundai Sonata just won’t start? If you are in this unfortunate situation, you shouldn’t get desperate because we are going to try to help you out with your pursuit of fixing this problem.
Having a no-start issue on a car can be really frustrating. Imagine that you need to go somewhere and the Hyundai Sonata just doesn’t feel like it’s going to start. You quickly become nervous and scratch your head of what could cause this problem to appear in the first place and why the Hyundai Sonata won’t start.
Here we are going to learn how to troubleshoot properly and we will focus on all of the possible scenarios leaving nothing behind and making sure when you are done reading this article, you will be able to tell what is the problem on your Sonata and why the car won’t start.
And hopefully, you will be able to fix this problem all by yourself with no help needed from a mechanic. Because in most situations, the core of the problem is in the little things that can be sorted in a number of minutes.
So, first, we are going to cover what is the Sonata for those who are not familiar. If you already are familiar, skip to the reasons why the Hyundai Sonata won’t start. There we will cover two possible scenarios that you might be facing. And we also will list the possible solutions and costs of solving this problem. So, if you want to learn more follow along till the end.
What Is The Hyundai Sonata?
Before we delve into the problems and learn why the Hyundai Sonata won’t start. Let’s first cover something more on the Hyundai Sonata and learn more about this model. We still need to have a strong starting point before we focus on the main problem and that is the Hyundai Sonata won’t start issue.
As most of you probably know, the Sonata is a mid-size sedan manufactured by the Korean carmaker Hyundai. We all know Hyundai and its quality cars. They are offering one of the best value cars out there on the market and with a good reason. They give you quite a lot for a relatively affordable amount of money.
Not to mention that they are also an excellent value as a second hand as well. You can easily push them well beyond 200,000 miles and they will not break a sweat.
Nevertheless, the Sonata is in production since 1985 and at the moment is in its eighth generation. Meaning that 8 generations of the Sonata are out there and the older the car, the bigger the chance of Hyundai Sonata won’t start problems happening to you.
As cars age, they develop problems more in comparison to the time they were relatively new. This doesn’t always have to be connected to the mileage of the vehicle. But it is often connected with the age of the components. The components are getting older and they start to show their weak points and fail.
But why my Hyundai Sonata won’t start? Well, that’s what we are going to cover in the following chapters where we will learn the reasons why the Hyundai Sonata won’t start. So, if you are interested in learning more about solving the problem, follow along.
Reasons Why The Hyundai Sonata Won’t Start?
We learned what is the Hyundai Sonata and why is it so popular as a new car as well as a used car. Now let’s focus more on the reasons why the Hyundai Sonata won’t start problem happens.
Knowing the reasons will give you that extra edge when it comes to tackling this problem quickly and effectively. Not to mention that we are going to focus on two possible scenarios that you might come across. And these are when the engine doesn’t want to crank as well as the scenario when the engine cranks but doesn’t want to start at all.
Meaning that there are two possibilities why this is caused. One of them is battery related and the other is related to other components that make the car not start. So, let’s begin covering the reasons why the Hyundai Sonata won’t start.
Scenario 1: The Hyundai Sonata Engine Won’t Want To Crank
This is the first scenario. When the Sonata doesn’t want to crank at all. It is worth noting that this is the scenario that is often more desired since you will be able to tell right away the problem and how expensive will be to fix it. Unlike in the second scenario that will require proper diagnostics to get things right.
But enough on that, let’s dive into why the Hyundai Sonata won’t start and won’t crank happens.
1. Drained Key Fob Battery Can Make Your Sonata Won’t Start
One of the primary causes of the Hyundai Sonata won’t start problem is the drained battery on your key fob (as is noted by all the symptoms of low battery in your key fob). So, why is this the case?
Well, let’s put it this way. Your car has an immobilizer installed in it. This immobilizer device is an anti-theft device that all modern vehicles have.
So, the communication method between the key and the immobilizer is made possible by the transponder installed into the key. This transponder is a small chip that is powered by a small battery that is found in the key.
Meaning that whenever this battery inside of the key is drained, the car will not recognize this key. So, you will face with a Hyundai Sonata won’t start problem. The simple solution for this Hyundai Sonata won’t start problem would be to get a new battery from the store and replace the existing one. Then things would get sorted and you will be able to crank the engine. If not, move on to the next probable reason.
2. Drained Lead Acid Battery Can Make Your Sonata Not Start
The second most probable reason why your Hyundai Sonata won’t start problem happens is because of a dead lead-acid battery. Also known as car battery that usually lays in the engine bay or back in the trunk.
This battery on average lasts about 2 years before it starts to give up and causes problems for the car owners.
This is the case because the battery goes through a lot of charging cycles during its life and these cycles can damage the internals of the battery and make it not hold the electricity. This often happens with every type of battery that is out there.
Whenever this battery fails completely, you will not be able to start the car. The car will not like to crank but only a small clicking sound will be noted. This clicking sound is a clear indication that there is no power in the battery and the engine will not likely be able to start with this battery.
The only solution would be to get a new car battery at the parts store or gas station and call it a day. By doing this, your Hyundai Sonata won’t start problem would probably be solved. Or if you think that your battery is good, move on to the next reason why is this happening.
3. Corroded Battery Cables
Corroded battery cables can also be one of the culprits of having the Hyundai Sonata won’t start problems to happen. So, why is this the case?
This is the case because battery cables know to corrode. In the battery, there are chemical processes all of the time. As we concluded, there is acid inside of the battery. This acid knows to pass along the battery terminals and escape.
Then when this acid comes in contact with the clamps will start a corrosion process that will probably ruin the connection between the terminal and the cable clamp. Resulting in a bad connection and possible inability to crank the car.
So, whenever you have a problem like this, it is often advised to check the terminals for corrosion and inspect them. Make sure that there is no corrosion. Or if it has corrosion on the terminals. Get a wired brush and clean them off. After cleaning make sure that you tighten them really well and give them another crank. If it cranks, then here was the root of the problem. If the Hyundai Sonata won’t start problem persists. Move on to the next probable reason why is this happening.
4. Bad Starter Solenoid Can Make Your Sonata Won’t Start
Another thing that is often known to fail is the starter solenoid. This solenoid is found on top of the starter motor. The solenoid has only one purpose and that is to transfer the electric current from the battery to the starter motor. Then the starter motor spins and makes the engine turn over. After the engine turns over the combustion process begins.
What is bad though is that this solenoid can fail. And is not one of the only things that when it fails, you are basically done with the car for today. Your only way out would be to call a tow truck and take your car to the mechanics’ shop to replace the solenoid.
It is a frustrating situation. But when your Hyundai Sonata won’t start. This could be the root cause. Especially if you are hearing some clicking sound coming from the engine bay.
5. Bad Alternator
Another thing that can fail and make the Hyundai Sonata won’t start is a bad alternator (which you can double-check by knowing how to tell if your alternator is bad and how to know if your alternator is bad). As you probably know, the alternator is the component that is a generator that is working persistently to make sure that the car battery never gets empty.
But this doesn’t mean that this alternator cannot fail. If the car has a ton of miles on it. You should beware that this component is nearing the end of its lifetime and sooner or later will start to show its dark side.
Grinding noises coming from it as well as wobbling of the belt caused by bad bearings is only some of the symptoms of this problem. Whenever you notice this, make sure that you sort the problem if you don’t want to end up with Hyundai Sonata won’t start problems.
6. Blown Fuse Can Cause Hyundai Sonata Won’t Start Problem
A simple thing like a blown fuse can also make your Sonata won’t start problem. So, why can something simple cause the Sonata not to start?
Well, it is simple to answer. As you know, in each car out there are fuse boxes installed. Meaning that whenever something with the electrical components happens. Like a simple short for example. Instead of causing a fire that can have permanent consequences, a fuse will simply blow and that’s it.
You might not be able to start the engine later. But it is what it is. So, make sure that you also check your fusebox for blown fuses. See if there are some of them that have failed and if there are failed one or more, replace it with a new one. They are really cheap, costing about $1 or less. That would hopefully solve your Hyundai Sonata won’t start problem.
7. Flooded Engine
A flooded engine can also make your Hyundai Sonata won’t start to happen and make the engine click. So, why is this the case? This is the case because when water gets inside of the engine, it will make it lock itself.
This situation is also known as a hydro lock. So, if you are trying to start a Sonata that you have little or no reaction, it might be hydro-locked. Who knows, maybe the previous owner drove into a big puddle of water and some of this water was sucked inside of the engine.
Either way. Bad business. Stay away from these types of cars if you don’t want to spend a fortune on fixing them. And trust me. A new engine will be one of your newest purchases if you want to fix the Hyundai Sonata won’t start problem.
8. One Or More Engine Components Removed
And the last reason for the problem of the Hyundai Sonata won’t start would probably be if one or more of the components essential for the engine to be able to start being removed. This includes engine coils, spark plugs, and other accessories that make the engine run.
You definitely need to inspect the situation if this is a new car for you. Make sure that nothing is missing. Because if it does, you will experience a click-click sound when you try to start the engine. Now, let’s move on to other reasons that make the engine crank but not start.
Scenario 2: The Hyundai Sonata Engine Crank
We covered the first scenario of why the Hyundai Sonata won’t start. Which as we know produces a clicking sound. Now let’s see if the Sonata cranks and doesn’t want to start.
Remember these two scenarios are completely different and can mean different things and require different solutions in order for the problem to be sorted out in the right manner.
Now let’s discuss the reasons why the Hyundai Sonata won’t start but it cranks. If you want to learn more, follow along.
1. Camshaft Position Sensor
One of the most logical causes for the Hyundai Sonata won’t start is a camshaft position sensor. This sensor is also known as a speed sensor.
The camshaft position sensor is observing the position of the camshaft itself. If the sensor cannot record the position of the camshaft. It will start to develop issues like this one. Meaning that your car will continuously crank until you drain the battery.
Unfortunately, the solution for this problem will require replacing the sensor of the camshaft, and that is something that can be pricey.
2. Bad Ignition Coils
A bad ignition coil is probably one of the most common causes for the Hyundai Sonata won’t start problem to happen and trouble a lot of owners. When a coil is broken the engine will love to crank but it will not want to start.
On each cylinder, there is a coil. Meaning that there are 4,6,8 possibilities of failure depending on the engine you are running. The best thing would be to get an OBD2 scanner and scan the car for codes. If there are ones that are indicating a coil, this might be a solution for your Hyundai Sonata won’t start problem.
3. Bad Spark Plugs
Bad spark plugs are another very likely culprit for your Hyundai Sonata won’t start but it cranks problem. Especially if the spark plugs are fouled by oil and other contaminants. Even worn-off spark plugs can cause your Hyundai Sonata won’t start.
The engine will love to crank, but if more spark plugs are affected it will not want to start. The only solution for this problem would be replacing the spark plugs on your Sonata with new ones and seeing if it will work. It would probably work if the spark plugs are damaged by contaminants. The car will start to feel alive after replacing them. But if the problem with your Hyundai Sonata won’t start still persists, you might be wanting to check the rest of the reasons.
4. No Gasoline Inside The Tank
Another possibility of your Hyundai Sonata won’t start but it cranks could be that you simply don’t have gasoline in your fuel tank.
This might sound funny but it is true. Especially if you are purchasing a car that hasn’t been running for a while. Fuel can evaporate if the gas cap isn’t tight and also the previous owner could simply leave the car bone dry of gas.
You never know, this happened even to me once. The car simply didn’t want to run at all. I wondered why when I finally came up to the conclusion that there is no gas in the tank. Stupid reason, but it can happen and make your Hyundai Sonata won’t start.
5. Clogged Fuel Filter
Another possibility of the Hyundai Sonata won’t start but it cranks, could be a clogged fuel filter. The fuel filter has the task to clean the fuel before it gets passed inside of the engine.
Meaning that if it wasn’t replaced on time could end up being clogged. In this situation, the fuel filter will not pass fuel into the engine. So, the engine will crank but will highly unlikely be able to start since there is no fuel inside. This problem can also be caused by some obstruction inside of the fuel lines as well. So, pay attention to these components.
6. Bad Fuel Pump
And the last thing that we are going to cover is why the Hyundai Sonata won’t start but it cranks is the fuel pump. The fuel pump is located at the rear. More precisely in the fuel tank.
This pump is electronically regulated. Meaning that the pump will send as much as fuel the engine needs. Since it is working with the ECU. But like with other components.
The fuel pump can also fail and make this problem appear. So, if you are experiencing an inability to start the car but the car loves to crank. Make sure that you hear a click when you put the key in the ignition. The click should come from the rear. If there is no click, then the pump is probably bad.
Cost To Fix The Hyundai Sonata Won’t Start Problem
So, what is the cost to fix the Hyundai Sonata won’t start problem? Well, the answer to this question really depends much on the cause of the problem.
It can cost you from $1 up to $1,000. It greatly depends much on what component has failed. The simplest things to fix are the ones in scenario 1. Scenario 2 causes can be somewhat pricier to sort out.
Conclusion To Hyundai Sonata Won’t Start
In this article, we covered quite a bit about the Hyundai Sonata won’t start problem. First, we learned the basics of the Sonata and why it is so popular among buyers.
Then we focused on the problem itself. As we noted, there are two scenarios, when the engine doesn’t want to crank and when the engine cranks but it doesn’t want to start.
Based on your situation you should look for the root of the components in these specific categories. As we noted, scenario 1 is cheaper to fix because in most situations the problem is a failed battery and the solution is relatively affordable to something like a failed fuel pump.
