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Hyundai Santa Fe 2004: Battery going flat?

A lady friend owns a low kay 2004 Hyundai Sante Fe that is a pleasure to drive and performs very well, but it has a starting problem that won't go away. If the vehicle is left standing a short time the battery goes flat, but then it can stand for a weeks and there's no problem. The NRMA has been called out for her on at least 10 occasions, one it was towed to the Hyundai dealership where it was left for a week, but no fault could be found. It has also been to three auto electricians, again without success. With four new batteries and almost $1000 spent it is sitting in her driveway again waiting for the NRMA. All Hyundai would suggest is that she needs to drive it more, which she would do if only she could rely on it starting every time.

Driving it more regularly is not the answer; there is a drain on the battery when the car is sitting that is causing it to go flat. The first thing to do is to check that there are lights, like courtesy lights, boot lights, glove box lights etc. that are staying on instead of switching off when they should. Computers can be a source of a drain if they don't go on to stand-by mode when the car is switched off. I would suggest you take it to another auto elec and have them thoroughly check it; they should be able to find the fault.

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