03 Santa Fe 2.4 - Bad Misfires / Won't Run/Move

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: Tim H.


The fluid it uses, SPlll, actually turns dark pretty quick anyhow, it it common with this fluid. you didn't mention if the CEL was on (I'm thinking it is), you should be able to pull codes on it.


Exactly.

The factory SP3 was very dark on my F4A51 equipped Santa Fe when I did the first drain/fill at 40Kmi (when I bought the vehicle). I used Valvoline Maxlife ATF in it when I owned it from 40K to 80Kmi.

This trans will set a variety of OBDII codes if/when something is wrong with it.

Bad coils and crank position sensors can mimic trans issues on these.

Joel

 

[Propflux01]

Well, if you heard bad noises buring start you can remove the right front wheel, remove the plastic cover over the belt and take a look. If its the belt you'll know right off

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: Miller88


I'm thinking if we can't get it towed out of the parking lot by a company, I may be renting a tow dolly and pulling it behind the Cherokee. The apartment complex we're in says no working on vehicles period ... I've been pushing it by doing a bit of small things on the cherokee (changing electric fan, starter, drive shaft, etc).


If they have a real busybody pushing the "no-repair" clause, you could point out that having a paying renter sure beats spending money to land a new tenant, and that you're in a real pickle. Maybe offer to change their oil for free, too. Sometimes doing the right thing needs a few rules to be bent...

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Sciphi ... near which major city are you in Upstate NY?


Would I have to take the serpentine belt off to look at the timing belt? The serp. belt is on the right side of the vehicle as well. A quick google says this is an interference engine ... slipping the timing belt could be fatal. That's bad.

I've never been confronted about it ... more than once the maintenance people have ran into me when I was doing stuff to the cherokee - they just compliment it and ask me what I'm doing.

 

[Bladecutter]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
Took a look at the plugs, definitely the original. Original plugs in an aluminum head scare me.

CEL is blinking. I don't own a code scanner and it can't power itself to get anywhere.


FULL STOP!!

Blinking CEL means YOU HAVE A MISFIRE.
Most common cause of misfire is ignition related issue.
Ignition parts are:

SPARK PLUGS
SPARK PLUG WIRES
IGNITION COILS

You just said they are the original spark plugs.
CHANGE THEM

Toss in the spark plug wires, and the ignition coils if you can afford to do so, also.

Then after all of that work is done, see if the misfire issue is resolved.

Quote:
I am starting to lean towards slipped timing belt. I unplugged the fuel pump relay and started cranking and it had some not-so-nice noises coming from the hood.


Save that for later.
Start with the simple and cheap lack of maintenance issue you clearly identified earlier first.

If you can't get the engine running properly, there's no point working on wheel bearings, transmissions, differentials, and timing belts at this point.

BC.

 

[LeakySeals]

If its drivable a parts store will scan the code for you for free. Autozone, AAP, etc. If its something simple, just buy the part while your there. If not, report back with the CEL. Without the code, its all guessing.

 

[Propflux01]

He said he couldn't drive it. And no use replacing plugs and coils if he is hearing nasty sounds from his engine on cranking. Check the belt first then chase the misfire

 

[mechtech2]

Originally Posted By: Bladecutter
Honestly, if you know the Sante Fe hasn't been maintained in 6 years, just start with the plugs, coils, wires, and check the air filter to see if it didn't get sucked into the intake.

Once all of those check out, or get replaced, then see if it still runs badly.

BC.


Great advice. Some may say it is throwing parts at it, but this is normal good maintenance. If it does not solve the problem, it is still an absolutely necessary base to go from.

 

[yonyon]

If it did skip time and bend some valves you can probably pick up on that pretty quickly by doing a compression check. Don't worry about causing more damage. I would not recommend you attempt to replace valves yourself.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

So borrowed a code scanner

Got the following codes:
p0300 random misfire
p0301 cylinder 1 misfire
P0304 cylinder 4 misfire
p0350 coil malfunction
p0732 Transmission gear ratio incorrect

I think the transmission code is from the engine computer not detecting the right rpm while moving.

Cylinders 1,4 and 2,3 share a coil. Switched the coils and it threw a code tor 2,3. Threw a coil at it and it works fine.

It really needs some routine maintenance ... but I'm not going to touch spark plugs in an aluminum head.

Ive never seen such a weird setup to get to spark plugs.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
Sciphi ... near which major city are you in Upstate NY?


Would I have to take the serpentine belt off to look at the timing belt? The serp. belt is on the right side of the vehicle as well. A quick google says this is an interference engine ... slipping the timing belt could be fatal. That's bad.

I've never been confronted about it ... more than once the maintenance people have ran into me when I was doing stuff to the cherokee - they just compliment it and ask me what I'm doing.


I'm between Rochester and Buffalo out in the country. I have lived in a few apartment complexes with "no-maintenance" clauses. The repair guys always asked me what it was that time on my old cars! Once the complex manager came over while I had a car up on jackstands and asked me what I was working on. She said she had no mechanical ability at all, so she now knew who to ask for car advice!

For the car, sounds like a new coil solved most of the problems.