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2008 Santa Fe abrupt 2nd to 3rd cold shift?

27 messages,  Last post on Jan 24, 2010 at 3:29 PM

You are in the Hyundai Santa Fe Forum.

What is this discussion about? Hyundai Santa Fe, Transmission, SUV

Messages Page 3 of 3

#18 of 27 Re: 2009 abrupt 2nd to 3rd shift.. [dannyd3] by paulnz

Oct 28, 2009 (4:55 pm)

Replying to: dannyd3 (Oct 28, 2009 4:18 pm)
Danny, I have meant to post again about the problem (I am the person that started this thread). My 2008 Santa Fe Limited 3.3L AWD still has the "problem". I still don't like it, but have learned to live with it. I did find that the threshold temperature at which it will shift hard on that first 2nd to 3rd shift is 65 degrees F. Below that temp it does it once or twice but above that temp it shifts fine.
 
I like the car in all other respects - it is definitely the nicest vehicle I have ever owned. I could probably keep at the dealer and get them to replace the trans, but having 18,000 miles on it now, I don't think the trans is 'defective' but rather it is just the way it behaves when cold (built-in behavior, unfortunately). Of course that does not explain at all why most owners (at least on the forums) have never reported any problem of this type while a few of us have. My experience has been that it is extremely consistent and predictable behavior. If it were otherwise, I would have already pushed for a new trans. I am also afraid if I were to have them change the trans that I would end up with a lot more problems than just an abrupt shift when cold.
 
That still does not make it 'right' that the trans acts like that - some engineer or engineers at Hyundai were asleep at the wheel on this one, IMO. I am still very disappointed at the cold shifting, but I decided it is not something that I am going to dwell on, and instead enjoy all the other great aspects of the vehicle. If, however, it ever gets worse or acts strangely in any other way, I will be exercising that warranty that Hyundai brags so much about.

#19 of 27 Re: 2009 abrupt 2nd to 3rd shift.. [paulnz] by dannyd3

Oct 28, 2009 (5:13 pm)

Replying to: paulnz (Oct 28, 2009 4:55 pm)
Thanks for getting back to me right away. I have owned hyundai's since 1995 accent, 2000 sonata, 2002 bought elantra and santa fe, now 2009 santa fe again because I have never had any problem and I have been so impressed with the way the turned this company around building a quality product now.
 
It just bugs me that not all Santa fe's have the problem. Some friends own new ones as well and they haven't had this issue. I live in Canada and it gets pretty cold here, and apparently gets worse with cold.
 
I to have concerns with changing the trans for fear of anything else happening but at the same time worry what damage can be caused by this shift.
 
We will see what my dealer wants to do and I will keep you posted

#20 of 27 Re: 2009 abrupt 2nd to 3rd shift.. [paulnz] by dannyd3

Dec 23, 2009 (2:55 pm)

Replying to: paulnz (Oct 28, 2009 4:55 pm)
Hi There,
 
I was just wondering if you have any news regarding the trans yet. Now that it is very cold out everyday I think Im going to leave my vehicle at the dealer after the holidays so they can experience the problem themselves.
 
Danny

#21 of 27 Re: 2009 abrupt 2nd to 3rd shift.. [paulnz] by dannyd3

Dec 23, 2009 (2:59 pm)

Replying to: paulnz (Oct 28, 2009 4:55 pm)
I was reading online somewhere where someone suggested it could be the TPS sensor, or try resetting the adaptive valves in the ECM/PCM ?? said something about disconnecting the battery for 30 seconds and touching the terminals to each other??
 
I'm almost willing to try anything at this point.
 
Danny

#22 of 27 Re: 2008 Santa Fe abrupt 2nd to 3rd cold shift? [paulnz] by dannyd3

Dec 28, 2009 (12:55 pm)

Replying to: paulnz (Dec 08, 2008 7:40 pm)
hi there,
 
I have an 09 3.3ltr AWD, with exactly the same problem abrupt shift from 2nd to 3rd first shift of the day when it is cold outside.
 
Any news, was a fix found? I tried the reprogramming of the computer but my vehicle has the latest software. the vehicle only has 8000kms.
 
I will wait for your response
 
Thanks

#23 of 27 Re: 2008 Santa Fe abrupt 2nd to 3rd cold shift? [sfdreamin] by dannyd3

Dec 28, 2009 (12:58 pm)

Replying to: sfdreamin (Dec 20, 2008 9:36 pm)
hi there,
 
I have an 09 3.3ltr AWD, with exactly the same problem abrupt shift from 2nd to 3rd first shift of the day when it is cold outside.
 
Any news, was a fix found? I tried the reprogramming of the computer but my vehicle has the latest software. the vehicle only has 8000kms.
 
I will wait for your response
 
Thanks

#24 of 27 Re: 2008 Santa Fe abrupt 2nd to 3rd cold shift? [dannyd3] by paulnz

Jan 04, 2010 (6:38 pm)

Replying to: dannyd3 (Dec 28, 2009 12:58 pm)
Danny, if you look at post #18 above, I replied to your original question - I am not very concerned about it anymore - it appears (at least in my case) to be a design or quality control issue rather than a manufacturing defect. It is mildly irritating for that first upshift, but I can live with it.

#25 of 27 Re: 2008 Santa Fe abrupt 2nd to 3rd cold shift? [dannyd3] by tk65

Jan 17, 2010 (11:25 am)

Replying to: dannyd3 (Dec 28, 2009 12:58 pm)
...yep...i have the same issue from 2nd to 3rd...and appears at low temperature... at around 65F is ok and can't feel it anymore... so we have to live with it as long as is no other damage...

#26 of 27 Re: 2009 abrupt 2nd to 3rd shift.. [dannyd3] by omar6575

Jan 23, 2010 (6:34 pm)

Replying to: dannyd3 (Dec 23, 2009 2:59 pm)
I have an 08 santa fe awd with 15,000. about 2 weeks ago i had a BAD TPS SENSOR CODE P2135, the dealer replace the tps sensor
under TSB 09-FL-003-2
You are right the abrupt shifting it has to do with the THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR if you google that technical service bulletin, the dealer has to do a ecu software update. the funny thing is that before the tps sensor went bad, the car did not like to down shift quickly enough when you need it the power. Now that they perform the repair the car goes tru all gears faster, and when you need power it finds the gear really quickly. However another problem was developed that it was not happening before, Once in a while when you are slowing down from about 55 or 45 mph when it comes to a stop it has a realy rought down shift from 2nd to first it literally jolts the car. i am currently trying to duplicate the actual problem, trying to get an idea of when it actually happens, that way i can take it back to the dealer and show them the problem. i am pretty sure it has to do with the transmission adaptive learning system they updated when they change the tps sensor. according to the owners manual disconnecting the battery will create some erratic shifting for the first few miles until the ecu learns your driving habbits. i will post my results from the dealer.

#27 of 27 Re: 2008 Santa Fe abrupt 2nd to 3rd cold shift? [dannyd3] by sfdreamin

Jan 24, 2010 (3:29 pm)

Replying to: dannyd3 (Dec 28, 2009 12:58 pm)
Hi, sorry for the delay in replying. I am in Edmonton AB Cdn and we have had some really cold temps this year. We were one day, the coldest place on the planet, -48 degrees celsius. At -40, celsius and farenheight are the same, so you can see that it gets real cold here sometimes.
My Santa Fe shifts from 2nd to 3rd with a bit of a pause in between. As if the tranny does not go into 3rd as quickly as it should. This causes the vehicle to lag and then take up the slack, which results in a lurching motion and some abruptness. This only happens during the first couple of shifts.
If I use a very light foot and make the car shift at 2000 rpms and do this very gently the car shifts without this lag or abruptness. But if I accelerate hard at all or if I am going at all up hill I will get the not smooth shift from 1st to 2nd to 3rd.
   I started this post telling you about the temps here so that you would know that I an driving this car in some really severe conditions, at times. It isn't always that cold but it does get down there and sometimes stays there for weeks.
Just lately it has been lurching just a little when I first put into Drive to go forward. This is again the first time I do so that day. Now it doesn't do it much and most people would not even notice but like many of you I am sensitive to my vehicle and know it well enough to notice when something changes. And this little lurch, as it goes from reverse to Drive is new. So this tranny maybe has some surprises for some of us yet.
 
Best of luck to you all, hope Hyundai releases a flash upgrade for the tranny some day. As I think that, that is all it may need.

Messages Page 3 of 3

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