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Automotive/No Reverse on 2001 Hyundai Elantra GLS

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Expert: - 5/3/2009


Question
Hi Ernie, I have a 2001 Hyundai Elantra GLS, automatic transmission, that now has 100,000 miles on it. The reverse has pretty much gone out completely on it now. I could previously get it to work if i didnt push the accelerator immediately when starting to reverse. It was like it gave it a chance to "grab" and then would work "okay". I can still feel the engine shift when i put it into reverse but now, nothing, just like its in neutral. My Question Is: Can there be any other possible reason for this problem, that i can check out, other than the oh, so expensive transmission?
Thank you for your time.

Answer
The problem really is the transmission, unfortunately, so that will have to be the area of investigation.  The mileage does suggest time for a general overhaul which, quite correctly, should entail the replacement of all wearing parts (bands and seals) in order to assure renewed reliability.  While not-so-reputable shops will look for every opportunity to make as much money as possible on a job from a captive customer, good shops stake their reputations on sending out good work, and will recommend not taking short cuts.

Still, there are creative approaches to coax extra life out of "experienced" transmissions if some of the key parts appear to have some hours of life to them.  They will be very clear in stating that they cannot give full or partial warranty on such work, and that would be up to you to accept or reject.  This often comes down to "pay for it now, or pay (again) for it later!

The main thing for you is to find a shop in which you can have confidence.  There is little substitute for getting references from reliable sources.  Generally, shops which do work for fleet operators who demand reliability to keep their own costs in line do these jobs properly.  Try railways and transit operators; while both service their own principal vehicles, they both operate company cars and trucks which they contract out for service.

Good luck ... 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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