I made this post for a Hyundai forum, but I thought someone here might have some insight into this problem. I'm determined not to spend $1700 on this car.
Car in question:
2007 Sonata GLS with a manual and 2.4. Total mileage is 81k. Car is no longer under warranty.
Problem:
The “ESC Off” light has intermittently coming on since I bought the car last year. Sometimes, the ABS, ESC and brake lights all illuminate. For the last week or so, all three lights have been on all the time.
Shop #1 Recommendation:
I took the Sonata to a local independent shop I’ve used before. They pulled two codes, but couldn’t determine the problem. The tech thought perhaps the car needed a reflash and recommended I go to the dealer.
They pulled the following codes:
C1102 - Battery voltage too low
C1702 - Variant coding error.
Dealer Recommendation:
The local Hyundai dealer looked at the car today. They pulled the following codes:
C1702 - Variant coding error
C1611 - Lost communication between ECU and the HECU.
They said I needed a new HECU and it would be $1689 + tax installed. That’s $1426 for the part and the rest installation. This is the part in question. Link to Hyundai parts website.
I talked to the tech and he said if I replaced the unit myself I’d still have to bring it in to have the brake system reprogrammed at the dealer. He said the ECU wouldn’t recognize the new HECU unit without a reprogramming. It appears replacing the unit itself is not a huge job, but I’d like to determine that’s really the problem before tearing into it. HMA service has some diagnostic procedures for each code that I may look into.
Questions:
-Has anyone dealt with a problem like this? Searching shows basically nothing about HECU units failing in NF Sonatas.
-Any recommendations on my next step? My current plan is to continue researching this. I'm determined not to spend $1700 on this car.
I can get a used HECU unit ranging in price from $90 to $350. This car is new enough that there aren’t any aftermarket or remanufactured options.
Car in question:
2007 Sonata GLS with a manual and 2.4. Total mileage is 81k. Car is no longer under warranty.
Problem:
The “ESC Off” light has intermittently coming on since I bought the car last year. Sometimes, the ABS, ESC and brake lights all illuminate. For the last week or so, all three lights have been on all the time.
Shop #1 Recommendation:
I took the Sonata to a local independent shop I’ve used before. They pulled two codes, but couldn’t determine the problem. The tech thought perhaps the car needed a reflash and recommended I go to the dealer.
They pulled the following codes:
C1102 - Battery voltage too low
C1702 - Variant coding error.
Dealer Recommendation:
The local Hyundai dealer looked at the car today. They pulled the following codes:
C1702 - Variant coding error
C1611 - Lost communication between ECU and the HECU.
They said I needed a new HECU and it would be $1689 + tax installed. That’s $1426 for the part and the rest installation. This is the part in question. Link to Hyundai parts website.
I talked to the tech and he said if I replaced the unit myself I’d still have to bring it in to have the brake system reprogrammed at the dealer. He said the ECU wouldn’t recognize the new HECU unit without a reprogramming. It appears replacing the unit itself is not a huge job, but I’d like to determine that’s really the problem before tearing into it. HMA service has some diagnostic procedures for each code that I may look into.
Questions:
-Has anyone dealt with a problem like this? Searching shows basically nothing about HECU units failing in NF Sonatas.
-Any recommendations on my next step? My current plan is to continue researching this. I'm determined not to spend $1700 on this car.
I can get a used HECU unit ranging in price from $90 to $350. This car is new enough that there aren’t any aftermarket or remanufactured options.