Hyundai SantaFe - Surging Lights New Alternator & New Battery
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Date: 2024-04-30
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Comments and reviews: 20
tomoakhill8825
Thank you so much Eric O, for explaining voltage drop over a copper wire. There is so little understanding of this fact of nature. You are correct. I have a doctorate (that is a Ph. D) in physics, and have taught the electricity topic at universities. Every single time some student raises their hand to tell me I made a mistake in saying that the voltage drops across a length of copper wire! Every. Single. Time. There I stand teaching my 40th year and they still think the grey-haired guy (me) does not know his second semester physics. I love watching your videos because you know cars like I know physics, and it is utterly certain you are a Grand Master Mechanic. How do I know Because you say, I do not know electronics. Or you say, I do not know European cars. Those who are _experts_ take pride in what they know, and never ever are shy about stating out loud what they do not know.
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Thank you so much Eric O, for explaining voltage drop over a copper wire. There is so little understanding of this fact of nature. You are correct. I have a doctorate (that is a Ph. D) in physics, and have taught the electricity topic at universities. Every single time some student raises their hand to tell me I made a mistake in saying that the voltage drops across a length of copper wire! Every. Single. Time. There I stand teaching my 40th year and they still think the grey-haired guy (me) does not know his second semester physics. I love watching your videos because you know cars like I know physics, and it is utterly certain you are a Grand Master Mechanic. How do I know Because you say, I do not know electronics. Or you say, I do not know European cars. Those who are _experts_ take pride in what they know, and never ever are shy about stating out loud what they do not know.
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GTCGreg
While the bad battery ground cable was definitely the problem, measuring the voltage drop from the negative battery terminal to the engine block under a heave electrical load doesn't really tell you the whole story. With the engine running and the alternator charging, you aren't measuring the voltage drop due to the electrical load, what you are measuring is the voltage drop caused by the load of the battery charging. If the engine was off, the electrical load would be going through the negative battery lead, but with engine running, the electrical load is from the alternator frame, not from the battery. What was causing the surging is because the voltage regulator in the alternator couldn't get a good reading of the battery voltage because of the bad negative battery lead connection. This is also what was causing the battery dash light to be on.
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While the bad battery ground cable was definitely the problem, measuring the voltage drop from the negative battery terminal to the engine block under a heave electrical load doesn't really tell you the whole story. With the engine running and the alternator charging, you aren't measuring the voltage drop due to the electrical load, what you are measuring is the voltage drop caused by the load of the battery charging. If the engine was off, the electrical load would be going through the negative battery lead, but with engine running, the electrical load is from the alternator frame, not from the battery. What was causing the surging is because the voltage regulator in the alternator couldn't get a good reading of the battery voltage because of the bad negative battery lead connection. This is also what was causing the battery dash light to be on.
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autorepair
I've seen a mechanic replace all 4 batteries in a large truck, still have a slow crank problem, replace the starter, still have the slow crank, replace the batteries a second time and it still cranked slow. He was going to replace the batteries again. I asked him if he checked the battery cables because the group 31 connectors were notorious for breaking inside the insulation at the terminal end because the cables don't have much slack. I had him disconnect all but one battery and try it. There was no power. Hooked up a second battery, the starter would click. Hooked up the third and the starter cranked. Unhooked the third connected the 4th and it just clicked. 2 positive terminals and one negative were broken. Got the cables repaired and it cranked fast and started instantly.
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I've seen a mechanic replace all 4 batteries in a large truck, still have a slow crank problem, replace the starter, still have the slow crank, replace the batteries a second time and it still cranked slow. He was going to replace the batteries again. I asked him if he checked the battery cables because the group 31 connectors were notorious for breaking inside the insulation at the terminal end because the cables don't have much slack. I had him disconnect all but one battery and try it. There was no power. Hooked up a second battery, the starter would click. Hooked up the third and the starter cranked. Unhooked the third connected the 4th and it just clicked. 2 positive terminals and one negative were broken. Got the cables repaired and it cranked fast and started instantly.
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johnasosajr
I’m a dealership tech now and I thank you a lot I remember watching your videos with nothing but a 32 piece socket set and constantly hearing if I can do it you can do it let me just say you do not give yourself enough credit I went from being a janitor to a tech at 30 a little late to the party but im here now and my shop pays for my classes to get certified which is a plus if it weren’t for guys like you Ivan scanner danner Eric the car guy hell even Scotty the car killer or whatever the hell his name is I would have never considered it other than to work on my own vehicles thanks man
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I’m a dealership tech now and I thank you a lot I remember watching your videos with nothing but a 32 piece socket set and constantly hearing if I can do it you can do it let me just say you do not give yourself enough credit I went from being a janitor to a tech at 30 a little late to the party but im here now and my shop pays for my classes to get certified which is a plus if it weren’t for guys like you Ivan scanner danner Eric the car guy hell even Scotty the car killer or whatever the hell his name is I would have never considered it other than to work on my own vehicles thanks man
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davide. s. 9880
Don't have to go out and measure the distance. But were are you located in the town You get several customers that show up after going to shop A and shop B. So you must be on the outside limit of town. I know you were trying to copy Ivan no parts required repair Hahaha! No I think you went beyond taking that fuse box out / loose to get to the cable end. I would have done what you did to fix it before trying to get to the cable like you did. AFTER writing this I'm thinking you did that for content so never mind what I said Thanks for the video.
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Don't have to go out and measure the distance. But were are you located in the town You get several customers that show up after going to shop A and shop B. So you must be on the outside limit of town. I know you were trying to copy Ivan no parts required repair Hahaha! No I think you went beyond taking that fuse box out / loose to get to the cable end. I would have done what you did to fix it before trying to get to the cable like you did. AFTER writing this I'm thinking you did that for content so never mind what I said Thanks for the video.
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robertheinkel6225
Many years ago I was in technical training for the Air Force. The base was about four hours from my home, and I drove home on weekends. On one return trip, I lost my headlights, due to low voltage. If I turned the lights off, the battery would charge. It was a full moon night on mostly two lane country roads, so I ran without headlights and turned them on going thru towns. I made it back to the base, but the battery was dead when I stopped. The next day it started, so I determined the fan belt was loose. Tightened belt, and problem solved.
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Many years ago I was in technical training for the Air Force. The base was about four hours from my home, and I drove home on weekends. On one return trip, I lost my headlights, due to low voltage. If I turned the lights off, the battery would charge. It was a full moon night on mostly two lane country roads, so I ran without headlights and turned them on going thru towns. I made it back to the base, but the battery was dead when I stopped. The next day it started, so I determined the fan belt was loose. Tightened belt, and problem solved.
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michaelmathews295
I had a similar problem with my motorcycle on a trip from Minnesota to San Diego back in 1989. The bike was running fine but the lights were flickering some and the gauge lights were dim. The at the battery connections were good but I remember disassembling the bike at the KOA in Chula Vista and found a loose bolt to the frame for a body ground for the wiring harness. I sure had a bright headlight after that. That is what I suspected at the start to the video that it was a ground problem but I like how you isolated it first and didn't guess.
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I had a similar problem with my motorcycle on a trip from Minnesota to San Diego back in 1989. The bike was running fine but the lights were flickering some and the gauge lights were dim. The at the battery connections were good but I remember disassembling the bike at the KOA in Chula Vista and found a loose bolt to the frame for a body ground for the wiring harness. I sure had a bright headlight after that. That is what I suspected at the start to the video that it was a ground problem but I like how you isolated it first and didn't guess.
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krysp8848
Long time viewer, first time comment. For some reason this is a common problem on both Santa Fe's and Sonatas. The bolts going into painted body parts end up with a crappy connection over time. Especially in the rust belt. Common issue causing many electrical gremlins on Hyundai forums. Preventative recommendation was to shine up the area around connection to body, load up on fluid film, put bolts back and some more film. Appreciate the video Eric.
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Long time viewer, first time comment. For some reason this is a common problem on both Santa Fe's and Sonatas. The bolts going into painted body parts end up with a crappy connection over time. Especially in the rust belt. Common issue causing many electrical gremlins on Hyundai forums. Preventative recommendation was to shine up the area around connection to body, load up on fluid film, put bolts back and some more film. Appreciate the video Eric.
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boblemon2103
You should start charging for all of your instructional videos, you could make an entire series of how to troubleshoot and diagnose (you may have already with all of your videos) Love your tool recommendations I usually put them in my cart while I’m watching, and then save them for later, should I ever need them. FYI the Astro. 5 size metric sockets are the bomb, I get mega use out of them here in the rust belt, almost daily use
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You should start charging for all of your instructional videos, you could make an entire series of how to troubleshoot and diagnose (you may have already with all of your videos) Love your tool recommendations I usually put them in my cart while I’m watching, and then save them for later, should I ever need them. FYI the Astro. 5 size metric sockets are the bomb, I get mega use out of them here in the rust belt, almost daily use
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DapimpBDSD
I just had the battery light go on on my truck. Verified no charging from alternator, after inspecting some things and disconnecting the battery terminals, found that one of the positive cable bolt on postive terminal was corroded and eventually came off as i was wiggling it. Cleaned terminal, drilled out remnants and used a bolt and nut to replace the broken bolt. Easy. Waiting on new terminal for proper repair
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I just had the battery light go on on my truck. Verified no charging from alternator, after inspecting some things and disconnecting the battery terminals, found that one of the positive cable bolt on postive terminal was corroded and eventually came off as i was wiggling it. Cleaned terminal, drilled out remnants and used a bolt and nut to replace the broken bolt. Easy. Waiting on new terminal for proper repair
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press2701
Nice vid. Rusty ground, again.
Question: why not just measure the resistance(s) with DC ammeter, with the car off, and compare to baseline known-good For e. g, a good connection, negative pole to intake manifold should be 100mohm. - something. If you measure 5ohm, if resistance is high, there's a burn/break in that section. Why do you need the car to run, current to flow.
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Nice vid. Rusty ground, again.
Question: why not just measure the resistance(s) with DC ammeter, with the car off, and compare to baseline known-good For e. g, a good connection, negative pole to intake manifold should be 100mohm. - something. If you measure 5ohm, if resistance is high, there's a burn/break in that section. Why do you need the car to run, current to flow.
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GeminiSeven43
How in the world do car manufacturers think that grounding to the body and then from the body to the engine is even remotely a good idea With the amp draw of the starter I would think a cable from the battery to the engine block would be mandatory.
Thanks so much Eric for the great video and for including the Dark Princess that is the light of your life.
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How in the world do car manufacturers think that grounding to the body and then from the body to the engine is even remotely a good idea With the amp draw of the starter I would think a cable from the battery to the engine block would be mandatory.
Thanks so much Eric for the great video and for including the Dark Princess that is the light of your life.
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louisbrinkman1529
I deal with voltage drop in fire alarm horn/strobe circuits. Anytime we submit a fire alarm project to a fire marshal for review before installation, he expects to see calculations that show, in theory, that the last device on the loop has enough voltage to work within its specifications. Enjoyed your video and voltage drops with respect to autos.
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I deal with voltage drop in fire alarm horn/strobe circuits. Anytime we submit a fire alarm project to a fire marshal for review before installation, he expects to see calculations that show, in theory, that the last device on the loop has enough voltage to work within its specifications. Enjoyed your video and voltage drops with respect to autos.
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boomer9900
I learned about bad grounds when I was a teenager. My fathers boat trailer lights were acting very funky, dim and not lighting. Eventually we traced it to a bad ground. He had the whole trailer grounded thought the hitch ball and that was the problem. We added a ground wire on the trailer to car connector, problem solved.
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I learned about bad grounds when I was a teenager. My fathers boat trailer lights were acting very funky, dim and not lighting. Eventually we traced it to a bad ground. He had the whole trailer grounded thought the hitch ball and that was the problem. We added a ground wire on the trailer to car connector, problem solved.
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jeffjankiewicz5100
Prof. O and his Masters class in voltage drop. This 66 yr old has learned a lot over the years watching your videos. Those who pay attention learn something every day, those who dont fire the parts cannon. and fail epically. The day I do not learn something will probably be the day I leave this Earth. Well Done Sir.
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Prof. O and his Masters class in voltage drop. This 66 yr old has learned a lot over the years watching your videos. Those who pay attention learn something every day, those who dont fire the parts cannon. and fail epically. The day I do not learn something will probably be the day I leave this Earth. Well Done Sir.
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hasletjoe5984
I say you are pretty dang good. I Suggest you forget the Olympics and go pro! I wold have just run a cable to the shock mount as a temporary measure. As an 08 up there, that would be a just a few years. Thanks for video! FYI, I suggest you make sure you carry that knife, never know when you have to ride the subway.
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I say you are pretty dang good. I Suggest you forget the Olympics and go pro! I wold have just run a cable to the shock mount as a temporary measure. As an 08 up there, that would be a just a few years. Thanks for video! FYI, I suggest you make sure you carry that knife, never know when you have to ride the subway.
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pjimmbojimmbo1990
I've said it before, but will repeat it. Eric, you have Excellent Troubleshooting Skills. thus you are able to actually Fix Problems, unlike some Techs who just change everything in sight, hoping they fix it, but seem more focused on the Money they make Marking up the Price of all the Parts.
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I've said it before, but will repeat it. Eric, you have Excellent Troubleshooting Skills. thus you are able to actually Fix Problems, unlike some Techs who just change everything in sight, hoping they fix it, but seem more focused on the Money they make Marking up the Price of all the Parts.
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jamiepatterson1214
Proper fix, one. Parts canon, zero. After watching your electrical diag videos, it would seem the first step anyone shooting electrical troubles should do is to check all grounds. Aside from corroded wiring, bad grounds seem to be a large cause of electrical problems.
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Proper fix, one. Parts canon, zero. After watching your electrical diag videos, it would seem the first step anyone shooting electrical troubles should do is to check all grounds. Aside from corroded wiring, bad grounds seem to be a large cause of electrical problems.
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Evilthx
It may sound silly but being a car audio guy we upgrade grounds all the time. If it were me, I would remove one shock tower nut, wire wheel the paint around the bolt and install a 0awg OFC cable and call it a day. Mine on my car is exactly that way and I have no ground issues.
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It may sound silly but being a car audio guy we upgrade grounds all the time. If it were me, I would remove one shock tower nut, wire wheel the paint around the bolt and install a 0awg OFC cable and call it a day. Mine on my car is exactly that way and I have no ground issues.
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athletikonaol
This was a good video. I learned some good stuff. That fluid film hole was a nice touch. You coulda broke out the comment generator and brazed a little plug in there just for excitement, but then, they wouldn't be able to refresh the fluid film next year, so.
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This was a good video. I learned some good stuff. That fluid film hole was a nice touch. You coulda broke out the comment generator and brazed a little plug in there just for excitement, but then, they wouldn't be able to refresh the fluid film next year, so.
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