Santa Fe transmission problem

I've got an '02 Santa Fe (6 cyl) with about 75k on it. Transmission is
acting weird.

Occasionally, when I first put it into "drive" the car will lurch forward
(as opposed to a smooth transition from neutral to drive). When it does
this, when I accelerate the car will change from 1st to 2nd smoothly enough
but lurches into 3rd gear.

After it lurches from 2nd to 3rd, the check engine light comes on the tranny
will not shift down to 1st again nor will it shift up to 4th (manually or
automatically). It seems to be stuck in some sort of "fail safe" mode where
it will only operate in 2nd and 3rd gear.

I can occasionally make it work again by turning the ignition off then crank
it up again. Usually not, though.

The problem seems worse when the ambient temperature is hot. Everything is
usually (but not always) fine until afternoon when it gets hot (in Alabama).

So, anyone have any guesses as to what the problem is? I've got a theory
but would sure like some advice before I take it in for repair.

I'm the 2nd owner so warranty doesn't apply. I'm trying to decide between
taking it to a dealer or taking it to my very experienced mechanic that
isn't too familiar with Hyundai's.

Thanks!

 

???? Why should not?

Zotto

 

The 10 year/ 100,00 mile warranty is not transferable to a 2nd owner. Only
the 5 year/ 60,000 mile is transferable.

 

Take it to the dealer. At this point the problem could be as simple as an
input speed sensor or some similar issue. It's possible you could be
fixed and rolling out for a couple hundred simoleons. Your dealer will
have at least one technician specifically trained by Hyundai in automatic
transmission diagnosis. Going to an outside shop on an issue this
technical, especially if they're not familiar with Hyundai, increases the
likelihood of a misdiagnosis.

 

I had a problem with my 99 Sonota that put it into this mode. The
shift when it detected this problem was definitely harsh.

I borrowed an OBDII code reader, looked up the reported code on the
tech web site. The web site also helped in locating the sensor that
was reported as being a problem.

This was after talking with the dealer. I was told that sensors were
not covered after the 60K bumper to bumper was past.

I replaced the sensor which solved the problem.

It could be as simple as that.

Good Luck

 

Thank you.

There are at least three dealership equidistant from me (all at least 60
miles away) here in north Alabama. Any suggestions on how to pick the best
one?

 

Check for recommendations from anyone you know who owns a Hyundai in the
area. If their customer satisfaction scores are available somewhere, you
could check that. I'm figuring you won't be able to access this data,
though.

 

And where would you borrow such a reader?

I asked a local parts shop if they had one and he didn't know what the heck
I was talking about. My usually mechanic has some sorta reader but stated
his software was out of date and couldn't exactly identify what was going
on.

Thank you for your response, by the way.

Jim

 

I knew someone who had bought one from an autoparts store. Some of
the larger chains such as AutoZone have been known to read the codes
in hope of selling parts. I am not sure if they still do that
however.

I toyed with the idea of buying one but the price is still high for
the ocasional user. I have been giving some serious thought to
building the unit at http://obddiagnostics.com/index.html

As long as the reader communicates with the car and you can find what
the code means in a manual or on the website.

The sensor I had to replace was a output shaft speed sensor. It was
$75 at the dealer. I was told that I would have had to pay for the
sensor even if they had worked on it as they are not covered beyond
the 60K mile bumper to bumper warantee.

Good Luck on you problem.