2001 Elantra - check engine light

My daughter just bought a 2001 Elantra, automatic transmission 2 weeks
ago. The check engine light started coming on almost as soon as she
got it home. She would turn off the ignition, re-start it and the
light would go out. Now, she says it hesitates and will not
accelerate and the check engine light is on. Then it will sort of
surge and go into gear and drive normally. the check engine light
still goes off when she restarts the car. As far as I know, there is
no stalling or rough idling problem.
I am not certain if the CE light is related to the other problem, but
she seems to think so.
Any ideas?

 

Take it to a Hyundai and have them check the codes. This isn't rocket
science.

 

It's ok, I am not mechanically inclined either. That is why I
posted. However running off to the Hyundai dealer sort of defeats the
purpose of this forum. I was hoping to get some insight from someone
who knows about Hyundais. Thanks for your insightful response though.

 

Actually, going to the dealer or to a place that can connect a computer
to check the codes IS the right thing to do.

This group can't diagnose anything as vague as what you've posted, and
if you want her to have reliable transportation (in case it's cold where
you are) you should get the codes read soon.

 

Not really. A problem like yours requires some additional information
before it can really be kicked around in a forum like this. So many things
could cause a problem like your daughter is experiencing - so, having the
codes in hand for any of today's cars is a must.

Many of us here do a lot of work on Hyundais and other cars. Lots of
expertise in this group. Not so hot on the crystal ball stuff though.

I think though, that the real intent behind the question posed to you was
that you daughter has some sort of warranty with that car. Why bother
chasing things that are most likely covered by the warranty?

 

It's ok, I am not mechanically inclined either. That is why I
posted. However running off to the Hyundai dealer sort of defeats the
purpose of this forum. I was hoping to get some insight from someone
who knows about Hyundais. Thanks for your insightful response though.

************************************************

Year ago, the shade tree mechanics could easily give you some ideas where to
look. Cars are much more complex today, but the code readers simplify life
in that respect. Takes away a lot of guesswork.

If you are under warranty, go to the dealer. If not, many auto parts places
will read the codes for you for free. Then, hopefully sell you some parts.

 

Sounds like a transmission-related problem. Most engine-related
issues don't turn out the lamp on restarts. Transmission failsafe
(3rd gear only) would explain poor acceleration.

As others have suggested, have it checked by an appropriate party.
The input and output speed sensors are the most common failures, but
there are far too many possibilities to make a reliable guess without
having at least a trouble code.

 

There are probably at least half a dozen things that can cause what you
describe. If you are expecting to get insight from the internet on what
is wrong with a vehicle with what you describe above, then your
expectations are well out of line with reality. The first step in
diagnosing a vehicle with an illuminated CE light, is to find out what
the computer thinks is wrong. It may not be completely correct, but
that is the place to start and there is a LOT of insight in that
recommendation (about 30 years worth).

Matt

 

Beware of the AutoZone, et al code readers. I had AutoZone read a code
on my Chevy truck and I was pretty sure it was incorrect for the
symptoms. In fact, the code sounded like the LAST thing I had fixed on
the truck. I then took it to a Chevy dealer and they read the correct
code which wasn't even close to what AutoZone had said. The problem was
the O2 sensor, but the code read was for the water temp sensor which I'd
had replaced a few months earlier. I don't know what happened, but they
definitely read the wrong code and there advice would have cost me money
and not solved my problem.

I'm amazed at the lengths that people will go to to avoid paying a few
bucks for good advice. I learned long ago that good advice is what is
really worth the money. I don't care if you are talking about financial
matters, medical matters or modern cars. The diagnosis is where the
money is saved or lost. NEVER scrimp on the diagnosis or the advice.
It will cost you more almost every time.

Matt

 

At $100/shop hr and an hour minimum billing to run the code reader at
the dealer I am not surprised. The real problem is learning how to
use a reader including clearing old codes when you fix something. That
is assuming you did fix it. If you cleared the code and it came back
you still have the problem.

 

Yes, I certainly understand that. However, very few repairs cost less
than $100, even for simple sensor issues. Since most times the light
comes on indicates that something really is wrong (I'm not saying false
alarms like a loose gas cap can't happen occasionally), you are going to
spend probably at least $100 to fix it. If you get a faulty diagnosis
for "free" and then spend $200 on a "repair" you didn't need and then
have to spend another $200 to actually fix the problem, don't you think
it would have been less expensive to spend $300 to correctly diagnose
and fix the real problem as opposed to $400 to fix two problems, one of
which you didn't really have?

That was my only point. It would be nice to get a correct diagnosis for
free, but I'd rather pay for a good one, than get a wrong one for free
as the latter will almost always cost me more in the end.

Matt

 

If you have an Autozone near you,they will check the codes for free and
tell you what they mean.

 

What in the heck is the problem in learning how to use a code reader? It
simply plugs in. Clearing the codes can be difficult - you have to press
the right key... the one marked "clear".

 

Still riding the short bus I see.

 

Mike, please try to keep your discussions of advanced technology out of
this ng.

 

I'm sorry - sometimes I just get carried away...

 

But not far enough, next time don't bother returning.

 

I phart in your general direction sir...

 

Why waste a good fart?

 

The codes are really important - In my area, ANY AutoZone or Auto place
will plug in under your steering wheel and tell you the code.

It can be any number of many things - so, there's no way to guess at
those things....