# Starts then intermittently dies and won't start **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [December 5, 2025, 4:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/starts-then-intermittently-dies-and-wont-start/204576 "2025-12-05T16:14:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![vmlbsweber\_143747](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5f9b8f/32.png) [@vmlbsweber\_143747](https://community.cartalk.com/u/vmlbsweber_143747)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2025, 4:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/starts-then-intermittently-dies-and-wont-start/204576/1 "2025-12-05T16:14:36Z")
2003 Hyundai Santa Fe will start then die. Then it will not start. After pumping the accelerator or holding on the floor and returning later it will start. Nothing codes out. This happens probably 15% of the time. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2025, 4:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/starts-then-intermittently-dies-and-wont-start/204576/2 "2025-12-05T16:21:18Z")
A bad crankshaft position sensor can cause that problem. > **[Bad Crankshaft Position Sensor Symptoms & Problems](https://www.1aauto.com/content/articles/bad-or-failing-crankshaft-position-sensor-symptoms)** > > Problems with the crankshaft sensor will often present as problems with engine timing. If you think your sensor has failed, here are some common symptoms of a bad crankshaft sensor that can help you in determining whether or not it has failed. Tester ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2025, 6:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/starts-then-intermittently-dies-and-wont-start/204576/3 "2025-12-05T18:56:38Z")
With the info provided, what Tester said seen like a good start… > [@vmlbsweber\_143747](#): > > After pumping the accelerator Remember that you are no longer driving a vehicle with an accelerator pump e.g. carburetor, so opening and closing the rear hatch does about as much good as pumping the accelerator pedal, the accelerator (gas) pedal only controls the amount of air going to the engine, the ecm loosely controls the fuel delivered to the engine… more technical than that, but sticking with the basics… Even though you are not showing any codes, did you check for pending codes and or history codes?? I am guessing when it does not start that it IS still cranking normally correct?? Keep us informed and sorry you are having issues… ---
**Author:** ![vmlbsweber\_143747](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5f9b8f/32.png) [@vmlbsweber\_143747](https://community.cartalk.com/u/vmlbsweber_143747)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 4:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/starts-then-intermittently-dies-and-wont-start/204576/4 "2026-01-09T16:07:45Z")
It continues to crank easily but no fire. When I pump the accelerator or floor it (like we did with the flooded carburetor engines) I smell gas. I walk away for 30 minutes and come back, it will start. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 5:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/starts-then-intermittently-dies-and-wont-start/204576/5 "2026-01-09T17:47:58Z")
> [@vmlbsweber\_143747](#): > > It continues to crank easily but no fire What have you done to solve the issue?? As Tester pointed out, it sounds like a crank sensor, have you tried replacing it yet?? > [@vmlbsweber\_143747](#): > > When I pump the accelerator Why are you touching the accelerator (gas) pedal while cranking the car?? Just put your right foot on the brake pedal when starting the vehicle… ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 8:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/starts-then-intermittently-dies-and-wont-start/204576/6 "2026-01-09T20:17:57Z")
As mentioned, pumping the gas pedal does virtually nothing but holding it to the floor will cut off the injectors (clear flood mode) while cranking. It has limited use in modern cars but if you had a severely leaking injector(s), it might help get the engine started…you smell gas, sounds like a flooding condition…but this clue: > [@vmlbsweber\_143747](#): > > I walk away for 30 minutes and come back, it will start. Leads me to ask, does it do this stalling only when warm/hot or will it do it from a first start in the morning, cold condition as well? ---
**Author:** ![vmlbsweber\_143747](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5f9b8f/32.png) [@vmlbsweber\_143747](https://community.cartalk.com/u/vmlbsweber_143747)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 9:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/starts-then-intermittently-dies-and-wont-start/204576/7 "2026-01-09T21:30:20Z")
Thanks for all your responses. I am considering the ignition switch. One key turns easily, but the other key I sometimes have to jiggle in order to get it to turn. It also has other electrical problems. The blower fan comes on sometimes without turning the switch. While doing this I hear a clicking sound coming from around the glovebox. ---
**Author:** ![adlhamra\_195458](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@adlhamra\_195458](https://community.cartalk.com/u/adlhamra_195458)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2026, 5:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/starts-then-intermittently-dies-and-wont-start/204576/8 "2026-01-14T17:56:20Z")
The problem is very often related to the fuel supply or idle management, rather than a major engine issue, especially if no error codes appear. The fact that the engine starts when the accelerator is held down confirms that the air/fuel mixture is insufficient to begin with. [Tutuapp](https://tutuappx.com/)