Hi all,
I came across of lots of bits and pieces on the forum about this kind of issue and after having mine looked over, I thought I'd provide a summary in case it is of use to anyone in my position in the future.
Two weeks ago, my 2012 i30 with around 130,000kms on it (owned for 3 months
) wouldn't start. I had battery charging light, engine light, power steering warning. With a key ignition, if I moved swiftly I could get it to turn over once but wouldn't take off. If I inserted the key and waited for the dash lights on ON or ACC, I noticed the immobilizer light flash quickly disappear after which I couldn't get it to turn over all all. I had the battery checked, no issues, and when I called this bloke out - it miraculously started for him.
A week later, same issue. This time doesn't start for a couple of days, considering a tow and then I get it going and drive it to Hyundai.
The report says "intermittent start issue due to key reader having internal defect, key battery volt also low and require replacement. removed and replaced key reader in vehicle, supply cut and coded new key and changed batteries, tested - all okay".
Having checked with my spare as well, I'm not so sure on the reports of low key battery being a culprit here. My instinct was the internal reader/coil but I'm still glad they just kind of did everything I suppose. They gave a new cut because I think they misunderstood that when I said I didn't have the spare with me, that I had no spare. It would've needed to be re-coded, however, the old spare is taped together etc so again I didn't mind too much.
Cost:
ANT COIL ASSY-IMMOBILIZER - $77.13
TRANSMITTER ASSY-KEYLESS - $251.91
KEY-INSERT - $15.39
PIN - $4.39
BATTERY-TRANSMITTER - $13.98
I paid about equal to parts in labour. They said the diagnostic was around $160 an hour before I managed to get the car there, I'm not sure what portion of the labour cost is detection vs. repair.
Hope I continue running fine now, I'll update here if I run into any headaches.