Starter Problems in a Hyundai Accent
by Baptist Johnson
The Accent is a subcompact car manufactured by Hyundai. Since its introduction in 1994, the Accent has received numerous awards and recognition for gas mileage and its safety features among subcompact cars. J.D. Power and Associates named the Hyundai Accent the "most dependable subcompact car" of 2008. Regardless of this award, there is always the possibility that your starter may go bad. However, a simple check of starter components could get you back on the road quickly.
Step 1
Maneuver your Accent to a safe location on even ground. Engage the parking brake or apply tire stops to the wheels to prevent to vehicle from rolling. Pop open the hood of the vehicle. Locate the battery. Check the battery voltage using a voltmeter. Often starter problems can be mistaken for a dead battery. Make sure your battery is charged and in good condition before moving on to test your starter. A dead battery will affect the voltage test on the starter. Move on the starter test after you are sure your battery is fully charged.
Step 2
Connect a voltmeter between the positive and negative battery terminals. Go back inside the car and turn the ignition to the "START" position. Note the voltage drop on the voltmeter. If the voltage drops below 11.5 volts, there are high amounts of resistance in the starting system and you may need to replace the starter.
Step 3
Disconnect the voltmeter from the battery terminals. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery. Locate the starter near the top side of the engine compartment. The starter is mounted to the trans-axle bell housing. Check the electrical wires attached to the starter. Look for corrosion on any of the wires. Also make sure that the electrical wires are securely attached to the starter. If you notice any wires dangling from the starter, reconnect the electrical wire to the starter.
Step 4
To remove the starter, make sure the negative cable is disconnected from the battery. Remove all of the electrical wires from the starter including the speedometer cable and the high tension wire. Disconnect the starter motor electrical harness using a screwdriver to loosen and remove the screws that hold it in place.
Step 5
Remove the starter from the hood area of your vehicle. Inspect the starter for obvious signs of damage and dirt. Excessive dirt on the starter can cause a drop in the starter voltage. Take a clean rag and wipe down the surface areas of the starter. Mount the starter back to the motor electrical harness. Reattach the electrical wires to the starter. Take this time to ensure that all of the wires are connected securely and properly. Attach the negative cable to the battery.
References
Tips
- For your safety, always wear gloves and safety goggles when performing your own car maintenance.
Things You'll Need
- Voltmeter
- Screwdriver
- Clean rag
- Gloves
- Safety goggles
Writer Bio
Baptist Johnson was first published in 2000 when a poem he wrote won first prize in a local writing contest. He also writes and edits for Etched Press Society, a micro-publishing company based in Wilmington, N.C. Johnson has a Bachelor of Science in business administration from East Carolina University.
