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My Elantra

Matthew Fedder
Wednesday, May 16th 2007 at 1:57am

I thought I'd chronicle the repair history of my 2001 Hyundai Elantra so far, not including wear items and stuff that was my fault.

  1. Power Door Locks don't work Cause: Fuse blows intermittently on use Solution: Replace blown fuse w/ higher amperage fuse. Fortunately, I later found out that I replaced it with the correct rated fuse, and that the diagram on the fusebox was incorrect. Cost: $5 tops for a bunch of fuses
  2. Alarm sounds at random intervals Cause: Switch on hood doesn't register that the hood is closed, probably because the hood is a bit bent there. Solution: Stick a rubber stopper on the switch so that it will be closed properly Cost: $0.50
  3. Check engine light #1: Evaporative system, large leak Cause/Solution/Cost: Yet unknown. I should look for broken hoses under the car, or maybe pay someone to diagnose it.
  4. Silent computer error code: Transmission Position Sensor Cause: Intermittently bad transmission position sensor -- i.e. the thing that tells the transmission which gear I want the transmission in. Solution: replace Cost: $35 and an hour of my time
  5. Coolant boiled over Cause: Faulty thermostat Solution: replace Cost: I was stupid, I had the dealer diagnose and fix it, so it was incredibly expensive -- $200.
  6. Check engine light #2: Transmission output sensor Cause: Faulty sensor, who knows why it failed Solution: replace Cost: $80 and an hour of my time
  7. Check engine light #3: Evaporative system, small leak Probably the same problem as the 1st check engine light
  8. Check engine light #4: Catalyst efficiency low Cause/Solution/Cost: Yet unknown. One of these days I'm gonna pin down whether it's actually the catalyst that's low/bad, or an O2 sensor that needs replacing
  9. Leaking Radiator Cause: When the thermostat blew and the coolant boiled over, it most likely caused damage to the radiator. It finally sprang a leak when I was flooring the car up a decent grade. Solution: replace Cost: $500
  10. Check engine light #5: Transmission input speed sensor Cause: Another faulty sensor, again who knows why Solution: replace Cost: $85 and an hour of my time Fantastic little vehicle.
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