# 2002 Santa Fe powering off while driving

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-santa-fe-powering-off-while-driving/49704>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** hyundai\
**Created:** [June 1, 2010, 5:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-santa-fe-powering-off-while-driving/49704 "2010-06-01T17:34:34Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mikeb37](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3da27b/32.png) [@mikeb37](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mikeb37)\
**Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 5:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-santa-fe-powering-off-while-driving/49704/1 "2010-06-01T17:34:34Z")

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I recently bought a 2002 Santa Fe with 135k miles.The AC compressor had been replaced about a month before I bought it.It ran perfectly for about 4 weeks.A few weeks ago it started turning off while driving.The AC and radio shuts off for a split second then powers back up.A few times the whole suv turned off but restarted on its own.The dummy lights came on for a second as well.I could hear the engine making a clunk sound when it shuts down and the tachometer bounces all around for a second. I had it in the shop and they said the alternator and battery were charging just fine.It cranks up perfectly when I go to start it.I wonder if you guys think it could be electrical or a fuel problem perhaps? I’m no expert.I’m hoping you guys will have some ideas.Thanks for reading.

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**Author:** ![Bladecutter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@Bladecutter](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bladecutter)\
**Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 5:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-santa-fe-powering-off-while-driving/49704/2 "2010-06-01T17:38:30Z")

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Something like this, I would start with the ignition switch, first.

Do you keep your ignition key on a chain with a lot of other keys, and heavy objects?  
This sometimes will damage the ignition lock over time.

BC.

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**Author:** ![mikeb37](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3da27b/32.png) [@mikeb37](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mikeb37)\
**Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 6:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-santa-fe-powering-off-while-driving/49704/3 "2010-06-01T18:17:38Z")

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No, it’s on a ring with only the lock/unlock remote. The car starts up great without any kind of noise or problems.Would the ignition switch cause the power to shut down while in operation? I thought it was only to do with starting the vehicle.