Follow us today...
With many dealerships and repair shops overcharging for parts and labor, I think it is important for car owners to, at the very least, be able to trace an issue. As a current Hyundai owner (I'm on my second one), I feel somewhat invested in the brand and what issues people come across during their ownership. My latest find in the Hyundai Forums is an intriguing post by a Santa Fe owner, who experienced what initially seemed to be a very expensive issue. Here's the gist of it:
“Hi, everyone. I have a 2017 Santa Fe Sport, Ultimate. A few weeks ago, my right rear turn signal stopped working; the flasher would flash super-fast, and only the front worked; the back would flash for one time, then stop. I tried changing the bulb, but nothing changed. I tried the bulb on the left side since it was working at the time, and nothing. Took it to a mechanic, and he had no clue what was going on.
A week after the turn signal stopped working, I noticed my brake lights also were out, I found that the stop lights fuse was burnt out, so to have brake lights, I kept changing fuses every few days because I didn’t want to drive without brake lights. It’s a 15-amp stop light fuse that keeps needing to be replaced every few days.
Now today, while driving, my left turn signal went out too, and it does the same thing, flashes super-fast, but only the front works, the back 2 don’t work; and the brake lights fuse went out again. Every time the fuse goes out, the Downhill Brake Control Indicator Light turns on, which is really weird.
I’ve been trying to figure out what the issue is here and have had no luck. If anyone can please share some insight into what it could possibly be, I would greatly appreciate it in advance! Thank you!”
Clearly, this isn't a burnt-out bulb.
While the Hyundai Santa Fe continues to be a top pick in the SUV segment, there may still be issues. But is it the manufacturer's fault or a feature that was added after the purchase?
Some owners who are more educated about the issues of Hyundai models from those years would assume it is the dreaded body control module (BCM). The unit is responsible for various functions like lighting, power windows, door locks, etc. A quick search revealed that a BCM for a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe could set you back $491 from the dealership.
However, with help from fellow members and some ingenuity on the owner's side, the problem turned out to be much less frightening.
A quick thinking on behalf of a fellow member was crucial to diagnosing the problem, which turned out to be due to a trailer hitch.
AUTOSPARK: “Is your car fitted with a trailer hitch by any chance?”
“Since all your issues are with the lights at the rear of the car, I suggest you try disconnecting the wiring for the trailer hitch to see if those changes anything. Generally there is a module that controls the trailer lighting. That module has an input (form the car lighting circuits) and an output (that connects to the trailer). Try following the wiring from the trailer connector and it should lead you to the module.”, the fellow member later added in later comments
The owner explained that the trailer hitch was already connected when he bought the car and he isn't sure whether it is factory or aftermarket.
Once you trace the connections, you must make sure you disconnect everything. The owner, initially, didn't, resulting in a burnt 10amp fuse, almost immediately after replacing it the first time. The owner finally managed to solve the issue.
“I figured it out. There were 2 wires for the hitch wiring connected, I had only disconnected 1 of them. Once I disconnected the second wire, everything worked again. Saved me a trip to the dealer and tons of money! “
While the real cause was never confirmed, it seems faulty wiring may have caused the issue to begin with.
I would go a step further and cap the disconnected wires, because while I am quite fond of some of the things Hyundai does, making quality seals isn't the brand's strong suit (I speak from experience).
If you have experience with or knowledge of other similar issues, feel free to share in the comment section below.
Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.
Image sources: Main image, in-text image
Follow us today...
