gabrielwolf76

Terracan weak starts flickering lights

Alright Hyundai gurus, I've got a head-scratcher with my 2003 Hyundai Terracan, gasoline engine. Mileage is 144678 km. Lately, it's been acting like the battery is on its last legs – weak starts, especially in the cold, and the lights have a noticeable flicker, particularly at idle. I suspect the battery sensor might be the culprit, not the battery itself. Has anyone encountered similar weirdness? I've checked the battery voltage and it seems okay when the engine is running, but drops significantly when I try to start. Thinking the sensor is giving bogus readings and messing with the charging system. Any thoughts or things I should check before I throw parts at it?

A 2003 Hyundai Terracan was experiencing weak starts and flickering lights, particularly at idle, leading to suspicion of a faulty battery sensor rather than the battery itself. The issue was identified as incorrect readings from the battery sensor, which caused the charging system to undercharge the battery. A load test and thorough check of the charging system confirmed the problem, and replacing the sensor resolved the issue, restoring normal function.

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4 comment(s)

Sounds familiar! I have a Terracan, and I had almost the exact same symptoms a while back. Weak starts, flickering lights... It was driving me nuts! Did you perform a proper battery testing? Also, check the battery maintenance and its charge.

Interesting! When you say 'proper battery testing', what exactly did you do? I've mostly focused on the voltage readings, but maybe I'm missing something. And regarding 'battery maintenance', what does it mean exactly? How did you check the battery charge?

By 'proper battery testing' I mean a load test, which measures the battery's ability to deliver current under a heavy load, simulating starting the engine. Voltage alone isn't enough. Also 'battery maintenance' means cleaning terminals, ensuring they're tight, and checking for corrosion. About the battery charge, I am referring to its ability to hold electrical charge, also known as its charge acceptance. Anyway, it's hard to tell without proper equipment. I'd suggest taking it to a workshop to get it properly diagnosed.

Thanks a bunch for the insight! Turns out you were spot on. I followed your advice and took it to my local shop. They ran a load test on the battery and checked the charging system thoroughly. The culprit was indeed the battery sensor. It was giving incorrect readings, causing the charging system to undercharge the battery. New sensor installed and everything is back to normal. Final repair cost: 315€. Starts like a champ now! Appreciate the help!

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HYUNDAI

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TERRACAN