Learn me intermittent start problems

SWMBO'S 2001 Sante Fe is acting up. She has an intermittent start issue. Sometimes it's the clicking you get from low volts, other times no sound at all, other times it starts fine. The no starts are increasing, though. If she puts a jumper box on it it starts. We did put a new starter in it in April. I'll check the signal wire.

There wasn't a slow degradation of battery power. Can a battery drop cells like that? I fear it might be a wonky ignition.

What are some tests I can do to isolate the problem? I've tested sarters, I know that a battery should have near 14 volts. Anyway to test an alternator at home? How about the ignition?

Get the battery tested for free at Autozone first. Make sure the battery cables are clean and and tight.

If you have good electrons, then I'd suspect the starter.

I've definitely seen a battery lose a cell suddenly and cause issues like that. It's pretty obvious when it happens if you put a volt meter on it with the engine off. Good battery (fully charged) will read in the mid to high 12s with no load on it, one with a bad cell will read around 10.5 volts.

Loose or corroded battery terminal. Also check the ground cable where it meets the body of the car. Remove and clean.

TGMF wrote: Loose or corroded battery terminal.

just had this exact problem earlier this week. Started my truck and drove 2 minutes over to the bank before going to lunch, wouldnt start when i left, relays clicking on and off, dash lights fading in and out, couldnt even jump it, had to push start it. After looking closely the crappy negative terminal that Ford likes to use was split on one part and not making good contact. managed to twist the terminal off (it was on pretty tight which made me think it was fine initially) and jam it back on and it was good enough to get it to start and get home so i could replace the terminal.

long story short even if the terminals are on tight and seem like they are fine they might not be, its quick and easy to check and clean

My dads 04 actually broke the alternator wire in the wire end, sometimes it would work fine other times it wouldnt start unless it was jumped. eventually it got so corroded it quit altogether. Found the problem while replacing the alternator.

Thanks for the vectors fellas.

It's not the ignition. The ignition has nothing to to do with it's ability to crank. If it starts with a jump box it's either a battery connection or the the battery is not charged. The battery could be not charged either because it's defective or there's a charging issue. Statistically, it's probably the battery. If the battery is over three years old this is about the only time I'd skip troubleshooting and just replace it.

Also check the starter relay and the actual solenoid on the starter, if the solenoid is attached to the starter like about everything except a Ford.

TGMF wrote: Loose or corroded battery terminal. Also check the ground cable where it meets the body of the car. Remove and clean.

This was going to be my suggestion. That era of Korean cars used pretty E36 M3ty cables and grounds. I'd start there.

Battery was crap. 10.6 on the voltmeter. Went up to 14.0 like it should once it got statred. The cables and ground were in great shape, suprisingly.