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My check engine light was on so I got it checked and they...


My check engine light was on so I got it checked and they said I needed a mass air flow sensor. My car wouldn’t start so I replaced the mass air flow sensor but my car still won’t start. Mechanic's Assistant: Does the ligh...

My check engine light was on so I got it checked and they said I needed a mass air flow sensor. My car wouldn’t start so I replaced the mass air flow sensor but my car still won’t start. Mechanic's Assistant: Does the light stay on, or does it blink? The check engine light isn’t on anymore it went off weeks ago and never came back on Mechanic's Assistant: What is the make/model/year of your car? 2004 Hyundai Santa fe Mechanic's Assistant: Are you fixing your Santa Fe yourself? What have you tried so far? Yes I have only put in a new MAF sensor

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Automotive Expert
Hello, I'll be happy to help you out with this, and sorry you're having this trouble. Do you have the code that was read from the car?

One second let me look
Automotive Expert
Thanks. Also, do you have the 2.4, 2.7, or 3.5L engine?

The paper from auto zone is in my car and I believe it's a 2.4
Automotive Expert
Ok, the code would be helpful when you get a chance, doesn't have to be tonight even, but from there we can hopefully narrow it down. So is the car back at your house now?

No it's at my sisters house
Automotive Expert
Did it just have one code, or did it have a few and they said it was the air flow meter?

It had one code and yes
Automotive Expert
And did it die while driving or wouldn't start one day or what exactly was the circumstance? Does it crank but not fire or does it do nothing at all?

It was starting fine yesterday, when I went to leave my sisters house it wouldn't start. It doesn't do anything you can hear a low noise but not like it's trying to start
Automotive Expert
Ok, good to know. If it's not cranking it's 100% not going to be an air flow meter. Generally air flow meters will either have a rough start, sometimes a no start, but they try to. If it's not even cranking that will be something with the starting system, battery, starter, etc. Does it click at all? One click or several quick ones when you try to crank it?

No
Automotive Expert
Ok, the first thing without further investigation would be to check the battery and terminals . It sounds like something isn't getting power at all. There are a lot of no start conditions that will still crank, but not that many that won't do anything. Did your dash lights and all still come on normally? Interior lights?
Automotive Expert
Is this an automatic or manual?

Automatic
Automotive Expert
Ok, then the first things we need to check are the battery and starter. You can remove the starter relay from the under the hood fuse block and pin 11 should have 12V all the time, and with the relay still removed, have someone turn the key to the crank position and check that pin 13 has 12V. If they do then you most likely have a failed starter. If they don't then we probably have a battery or supply voltage issue(fuse).

Okay
Automotive Expert
A starter relay is also possible with voltage at those terminals. Let me know what you have and we'll go from there. Just so I'm understanding, the code where they told you to replace the air flow meter happened weeks ago? And then you replaced it then or yesterday when the car wouldn't start?

it happened weeks ago and I replaced it today. I read something that said after you replace it you have to disconnect the battery for 10 minutes and then reconnect it so it can reset or something is that true
Automotive Expert
It's not a horrible idea, but usually a reset like that is only necessary in rare computer module issues. Sensors don't usually need that procedure.

Okay just askingI will check the things you said check and let you know the results
Automotive Expert
Good deal, thanks!
Automotive Expert
Hey just checking in to see if you were able to take a look at this yet, let me know where we're at with it, thanks.

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