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Automotive/Possible car problem.

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Expert: - 4/14/2009


Question
Hello Ernie, I read your blog about how you are not a walking shop manual for every car in existence so I will understand if you cannot help me. But I am still curious as to what you think. I am not sure what you know about Hyundai's other than they are not always the best bet when it comes to a quality car and with that in mind I am not sure if these are just problems that occur with most Hyundai Elantra's.  I just purchased this 2008 Elantra with 30K km on it.  When I am driving slowly over small bumps and rough patches there is a knock that comes from the front, I assume, suspension.  As well when I release the brakes (or engage/disengage e-brake) there is a squeak.  The final problem is the engine jumps pretty hard from reverse into drive and back again.   It also jumps when cruising at low speeds (like in a parking lot) and then put my foot on the gas.  This is my first automatic and my first car as everything else I have ever owned has been a truck so as far as I know these things might be common place in economy automatic cars.
Thank you for your time,
Michael Hart.

Answer
It is always a good idea to do a "due diligence" check on any car (even new) when you buy it, or pay the reasonable sum to have a competent tech do that for you if you prefer.  

Beyond that, I would say that (i) increasingly stringent standards have helped to produce increasingly safe and reliable vehicles over the years, (ii) 2008 is still pretty close to new, and (iii) squeaks and clunks that are not accompanied by unusual roughness are normally not indicative of anything but a need for adjustment and/or lubrication.  A hard transition from forward to reverse is something I would check out a little more aggressively, as that could be indicative of excess (for the mileage) wear in the driveline, or a possible loose engine or transmission mount.  On the other hand, this might just be rougher than previous vehicles in your experience, but due diligence does suggest that a check is in order.

That said, why not take the vehicle in for a regular service check-up at a shop you know, or for whom you can get a reference from someone you trust.  Seeking references from fleet operators who contract out their service work often is a good way to find a reliable and honest shop.

Most likely, the outcome will be some minor adjustments or replacements, along with the preventative maintenance work that, done regularly, helps to assure a long and productive life for vehicle and driver both!

Best wishes ... EGK  

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Ernest (Ernie) Kenward

Expertise

The challenges I most enjoy are thoughtful technical questions of a trouble-shooting nature in both electrical, power electronic and mechanical systems, mainly automotive but also machine control and small-machine PLC applications. Please note, however, that I am NOT a walking shop manual! I DO, however, make it a point to have those manuals and other service literature for those vehicles I DO own, and highly recommend that anyone serious about maintenance or modification of their vehicles do the same; MOST of your answers WILL be found there. For that matter, I do NOT go out of my way to acquire shop manuals for any vehicle I do NOT own! That being the case, any general query to me along the lines of "What is the meaning of this code read from the ECU of my 2015 XYZ?" or "Where is the fuse for the windshield washer pump found?" (try your car's electrical distribution panel for a start!) will not go far. What I do offer is a pretty good collection of literature, insights and hands-on experience with 1950s to 1980's Ford products (plus a developing database of information and practice with the Mercedes diesel cars), along with an engineering perspective and the ability to design and implement custom control, electrical and mechanical subsystems for vehicles. For that reason, I am happy to make my thoughts and efforts available to those who are of like mind and/or are seriously making a point of learning about their vehicles. Use the Opportunity to Learn!

Experience

A key skill in my work and hobby pursuits both is STRATEGIC TROUBLESHOOTING. I am a senior instructor in Electrical Engineering Technology at a leading Canadian polytechnic, my areas being Electrical Power and Industrial Control, electrical and electronics design and manufacturing, and AutoCAD and related CAD/CAE software - plus equipment problem-solving and new equipment design and prototyping. Hobby-wise, I have 30-plus years of experience in auto restoration, mostly in electrical and mechanical systems. Ongoing projects include a 1959 Edsel Corsair, my 1978 Ford E250 class-B motorhome conversion, and the care and upkeep of my Mercedes 300CD. My vehicles become engineering test beds for electrical and mechanical upgrades as ideas present themselves. This includes the design and production of circuit boards to restore or enhance features for which no OEM replacement parts are obtainable, or where better specifications or reliability can be had via newer concepts. Regarding the E250 RV conversion, I designed and continue to revise a custom power distribution system, managed by a Programmable Controller (PLC); this has made most revisions as easy as uploading new firmware as I develop it. The "mini" PLC is a powerful device for custom automotive control systems. One good example (there are many) would be the Moeller "Easy Relay"; these offer a wealth of control, monitoring and variable-and-status display options for such projects. A good example project which has worked well is that one for my RV noted above, which has been on the job - revised in firmware only - for a decade now. It is a load management and charging control system to avoid the sulfation-induced early failure that often befalls deep-cycle batteries used in RV power applications. The battery installed in 2003 lasted long enough to more tnan pay for the PLC that contributed to its longer life ... and the PLC will be there for the next battery as well!

Organizations
IEEE - senior member ... past WCC Student Activities; SME - senior member ... past chair, greater Vancouver chapter chair 318; Edsel Owners' Club - have served in various capacities on chapter executive during seventies; have been Power and Driveline resource on the Edsel Owners' Club "E-team" for more than a decade.

Education/Credentials
Graduate of UBC

Awards and Honors
Certificates of appreciation from IEEE and SME for work in student and chapter activities

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