Update: Electrical interference in the AM radio - 2005 Elantra

Hi all,

Just wanted to let the group know that Hyundai has fixed this problem.
Don't expect the dealer to volunteer details on this...according to my
work order, the parts alone were listed in excess of $1,000.00. The
dash controller and the cruise control were replaced, so the labor is
rather extensive as well. Maybe hyundaitech can add more about the
official status of this repair. Mine was covered, hope that yours will
be too.

My list of problems, current and fixed, at only 7000 miles, 2005
Elantra:

1. AM radio virtually useless - fixed (see above).
2. Air conditioning non-functional - compressor replaced.
3. Intermittent shift problems, auto transmission, 1st to 2nd gear -
Hyundai won't even look at this, for reasons that totally elude me.
4. Heater/defroster motor extremely noisy - need to get this in to the
shop.
5. Brakes moan on release, intermittent. Sounds like no anti-rattle
paste? - need to get this in to the shop.
6. Safety recall - to be scheduled.

At this rate, the car will be almost completely rebuilt by 60,000
miles.

Cheers

 

That's interesting! Is there a TSB associated with this?

 

I find no TSB on this issue. I'm interested in knowing exactly what was
done. So, for example, what is the dash controller to which you refer? I
presume replacing the "cruise control" means they replaced the underhood
computer/actuator unit.

I also find it very odd that they won't look into your transmission
complaint. I hope this doesn't mean you take it in and they tell you that
they won't look at your car. I wouldn't be terribly surprised if it means
they checked and road tested it and everything seemed normal, considering
that it's an intermittent problem.

For your blower motor, you may want to pull it out and have a peek inside.
In most cases leaves or other tree droppings get inside the fan, making
noise. This isn't covered by your warranty (since it's not a defect), so
the dealer will want to charge you unless they feel nice enough to try to
slip it under Hyundai's warranty radar.

 

I wonder if he means the ECU? That's a likely source of RFI.

That would also make sense, since it generated RFI when it's engaged.

I had this problem with an Excel. There were "helicopter" seeds in the
blower.

If the car doesn't have one already, install a cabin air filter. IIRC,
the filter sits between the exteriour air inlets and the blower, so it
will stop any debris from getting to the blower.

 

JCW:

Please do give me additional details about the repairs for the AM if you
can. I'm very interested.

 

For those interested, here's what the repair order says:

A CUST STATES THAT DIGITAL INTERFERENCE IS HEARD ON AM RADIO STATION
OUT OF BUFFALO-INSTALL SOP PER HYUNDAI-FTS TO ASSIST

CAUSE: 15
94002R00 INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ASSY RE
(And then a tech's name which I've clipped)
WH94
1 94004-2D031 CLUSTER AS
FC:9415
PART#: 94004-2D031
COUNT:
CLAIM TYPE: WAR
AUTH CODE:

(Then some other unrelated stuff)

C** SECOND REPAIR FOR ABOVE COMPLAINT
CAUSE: 15
96441R00 CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR ASSY RE
(Same tech's name, clipped as above)
WH94
1 96440-2D101 ACTUATOR A
FC:9415
PART#: 96440-2D101
COUNT:
CLAIM TYPE: WAR
AUTH CODE:

Anyone that can supply a servicewriter to english transation, please
jump in.

I had to wait about 6 weeks for this stuff to come over from Korea.
The service manager heard about this repair at a service seminar of
some type. He said that I had the first of the new parts in the US.

ANYONE who has the symptoms I described in my earlier postings (April
timeframe) should consider looking in to this matter for the reasons I
described previously. I do not take EMI that is this servere lightly.

On the matter of the transmission problem...
The first trip in to the dealer, I had a service tech ride in the car
and he experienced what I complained of and agreed that the operation
of the transmission wasn't correct. When I presented the car for the
AC outage, I requested that the transmission complaint be listed again
as I didn't want the lack of a complaint to be construed as acceptance
of the situation on my part. The service writer would not list the
transmission problem on the service record. The service manager did
take a 10 minute test drive during which the problem didn't happen.
The New York State lemon law states that refusal to service is an
automatic trigger for the lemon law process, so I went that route,
since Hyundai wouldn't provide an alternative. The BBB AutoLine folks
negotiated a settlement with Hyundai, and then Hyundai failed to meet
the terms of the agreement. As matter of fact, Hyundai completely
ignored the agreement and returned to their previous position. This
was to have gone to arbitration, but AutoLine could only perform
arbitration while I was away on travel, so now I will be going through
the whole process again.

Hyundaitech, can you post a description of blower motor R and R?

Cheers all

 

Shouldn't my Elantra have one in place? I haven't asked for its
removal and at 7000 miles, it shouldn't have disintegrated yet. Under
these conditions, should I still R and R the blower motor?

Cheers

 

Thanks, JCW. They've replaced your cluster (speedo/tach/gauge/indicator)
assembly and your cruise control actuator/computer assembly. I presume
your odometer started again at zero.

Since you seem to have a BBB case open, I presume Hyundai has received
official word that you have an issue that the dealer refuses to list on
their repair order. I'd think about writing it on the order myself next
time I have the vehicle service, since I really am that large an arse.

There are three screws holding the blower assembly in the bottom of the
heater case. You'll need to remove them and move some wiring out of the
way (perhaps unscrew a retainer and unplug a couple items). Then pull the
blower out the bottom. I don't recall how easily it drops out on this
particular car. On some cars, it's necessary to pull the carpet back and
then cut the padding and temporarily move it to the side to get enough
room to drop the blower. If you have to do this, just put the padding
back and place the carpet back in place when done. The alternative is to
pull the dash and the heater box to get more room.

 

Sorry I missed this post earlier. While Elantras were all equipped with a
spot for the filter, not all were equipped with the filter. It's a narrow
enough opening that you probably can't get your hand in very well. You
could always try getting a filter to put in and seeing whether you can
pull anything out when you do that. You'll need to remove the glove box
and a bracket to get to the filter opening.

 

If you don't feel like paying for Hyundai's overpriced filter, I have a
DIY for making your own that uses inexpensive air conditioning filter
material on the Elantra Club web site.

http://elantragtclub.tripod.com/elantra/