2002 Santa Fe transmission problem

Hi,

I bought the Santa Fe in late 2002. Put on about 15k miles on it.
Performed maintanence as required. I followed the break-in rules as
descrived in the owners manual. Both of us (wife and I) drive it auto
only. We have, may be, about 50 miles while on "stick".

Day before yesterday my wife told me that, about 0.5 mile from our
home, it started behaving wildly. I drove for another 1.5 miles
yesterday and noticed the same wierdness. We noticed that the car
started normally but about after crossing 15-20 mph it paused (slowed
a little), then jerked, RPM shot up and the car kept moving slowly,
RPM is still very high.

Since it has shift-tronic gears, I slid the gear shift lever to
"manual" and noticed that the it stays in 1st gear till atleast 25mph.
However, if I used it as a "stick" it behaved normally. It down
shifted smoothly at stop signs and such.

The car is still under warranty. Bunch of dealers in the northern bay
area closed down and the dealer I got it towed to (thanks roadside
assitance) cannot look at it atleast untill early next week. Any idea
what's happening ?

 

I'm guessing your input speed sensor has taken a dump. Did your check
engine lamp come on? A code P0715 would support my theory. If that's all
it is, it should be a quick fix (once the dealer looks at it next week,
that is).

Since they have the car and can perform actual diagnostics, they will be
able to determine better than I what the problem is. I hope you're
pleasantly surprised and you get it back tomorrow. Here's hoping you
don't need a transmission, either.

 

Thanks for your thoughts in this matter.
Yes, it did come out as P0715 and some others.
No, the service engine light did not turn on.

Nice thing was that it was covered under warranty (est=$110). Bad part
was that it took them about 1 week to order the transmission control
switch (throttle sensor) and install it.

 

Strange but true...
I test drove a 2001 santa fe and I noticed the ck engin light on, but it
took about 10 minutes and 5 miles to feel the problem. I shifted to reverse
and then the forward h]gears were "dead". Reverse and then forward and the
RPMs went up like it was stuck in low gear. Anyway we fought the funky
problem back to the dealer and decided against the car. If the problem was
not there, we would have bought the car for sure!
They said they would fix whatever it was, but we had a negative feeling on
it so we passed.

With the input form others on the usegroup it may be fairly common froblem.

My .02 worth...