Hyundai Elantra Problems 1996-2000

Well a few days ago me and a few of my friends went to Vegas for spring break. I'm glad to say that we all made it back safe, but BARELY!!! I have a 98 Elantra with only 70,000 miles on it, I change the oil regularly and drive it with care. Yet, when we went to leave the NY NY casino, my car backed out fine, but when I shifted into drive I felt it attempt to engage the gear, but it simply slipped back out and refused to go. After a few minutes of trying I got it to engage and we were off. It drove fine until Mesquite where I stopped to refuel and it did the same thing. Once again after a few minutes I was able to get it moving again, glad that it didn't slip in the higher gears. Well we made it home thanks to the direct highway route with no stops, but now my car is parked and not going anywhere unless it's in reverse. I consider us luck to have made it back!
 
So my first thought is that it may be a torque converter issue, but it reverses just fine, so I am thinking this is a valve issue where the transmission is not applying enough pressure to engage first gear. HORRIBLE!! The last thing I want to do is fork out almost as much as my car is worth just to have the transmission rebuilt. Anyone have any ideas on alternate causes or easier repairs??
 
My experience with this car so far is that while it might be nice and economical, when it comes to repairs, they are overly difficult and usually expensive. IE: The local shop cannot turn my warped rotors without breaking the front wheel bearings because they placed the rotors behind the main wheel hub! HOW FLIPPING STUPID IS THAT?!! I hope to never own another Hyundai!

Replies to this message:
• doohickie (Mar 19, 2007 8:11 am)
  • backy (Mar 19, 2007 8:41 am)
    • simplecj (Mar 19, 2007 9:40 am) and 4 more...

Replying to: simplecj (Mar 18, 2007 7:56 am)

Replies to this message:
• backy (Mar 19, 2007 8:41 am)
  • simplecj (Mar 19, 2007 9:40 am)
    • backy (Mar 19, 2007 10:24 am) and 3 more...

Replying to: doohickie (Mar 19, 2007 8:11 am)

Unfortunately, I think the 10 year/100k powertrain warranty started for the 1999 MY, and this is a 1998 Elantra.

Replies to this message:
• simplecj (Mar 19, 2007 9:40 am)
  • backy (Mar 19, 2007 10:24 am)
    • simplecj (Mar 19, 2007 12:00 pm) and 2 more...

Replying to: backy (Mar 19, 2007 8:41 am)

Well, I am not the original owner so it is not covered by warranty. I have serviced the trasmission about 8,000 miles back and unfortunately I believe it was Dexron ATF type III used along with some additional transmission protection fluid. I even had the service manual and it was not made clear that only SP-III was to be used. Service information states SP-II, but neither of these types are available at my local parts stores, not Checker, Autozone, no where I looked had it and now I'm reading that you have to use the specific Hyundai-BRAND SP-III. How ridiculous is it that a company would make a tranny that is so specific you can only get the oil from them and like many people out there, it is not clearly stated even on the car itself, therefore the wrong oil is used even by many mechanic shops and lube service places. Do I really have to go to the dealer who is almost an hour away, just to get the right fluid for my tranny??? Unfortunately it may be too late to do any good now. I ordered a code reader to see if there are any problems with sensors or what-not.
 
Since my car broke, I've been reading that these transmissions are NOT dependable and there are many known issues with them. Hyundai did not do a good job designing them and the fact they didn't design them to run on standard ATF is a big mistake costing their customers alot of grief and money! Boo to Hyundai, I'll never buy another one!

Replies to this message:
• backy (Mar 19, 2007 10:24 am)
  • simplecj (Mar 19, 2007 12:00 pm)
    • backy (Mar 19, 2007 12:20 pm)
    • nthe (Mar 19, 2007 1:33 pm)

Replying to: simplecj (Mar 19, 2007 9:40 am)

Replies to this message:
• simplecj (Mar 19, 2007 12:00 pm)
  • backy (Mar 19, 2007 12:20 pm)
  • nthe (Mar 19, 2007 1:33 pm)

Replying to: backy (Mar 19, 2007 10:24 am)

Well I do admit that it is stated in the manual, but as most people might expect that it is a marketing ploy to ensure service is done using their materials. I do not believe that it is mentioned that using other standard ATF fluid will cause failure. What I read in the forums was that several people had their cars serviced by lube stations or mechanics shops who evidently also overlook the importance of the oil type. I still stand by my opinion that it was bad for Hyundai to choose such a hard to find oil for their tranny's and they should clearly state that somewhere one the car or under the hood. Standards are used for a reason, so that the average Joe can find it at his local parts store instead of the dealer or searching for it online, that is if the average Joe is lucky enough to realise the difference. Type III... SP III ??? Bah! Hyundai has been horrible to work on all around!

Replies to this message:
• backy (Mar 19, 2007 12:20 pm)
• nthe (Mar 19, 2007 1:33 pm)

Replying to: simplecj (Mar 19, 2007 12:00 pm)

Replying to: simplecj (Mar 19, 2007 12:00 pm)

Standards as in, using oils that people can actually find locally or are already familiar with. Of course if you have a new car you're probably still taking it to the dealer for servicing, lucky you. I can't afford a new car.... Here's one page with a bunch of peoples experiences with Hyundai transmissions.
 
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/hyundai_trans.html
 
I know they might have some decent cars come out the last few years, but there's still plenty of their money traps out there. I just received a quote from my local Hyundai dealer for a rebuilt transmission. If you can believe it, he told me $2731.69 BEFORE taxes!! WTF!!! The car only books at about $1800 in good condition. That is horrible!! Older Hyundai-->

Replies to this message:
• backy (Mar 19, 2007 2:57 pm)
• nthe (Mar 22, 2007 11:20 am)