2000 Hyundai Accent Hesitating When starting up

PLAYER1242

MEMBER
2000 HYUNDAI ACCENT
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
138,000 MILES

When I start the car in the am, it sputters a bit, like its going to stall, then the check engine light goes on. I start driving, and it hesitates and starts to buck a little. After about 5 minutes of driving it seems fine. The engine light stops flashing, but it stays on. Any Ideas?

5 Replies

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

First thing you need to do is have the codes read, Autozone does it free, Post the results with the code number(s). Even if the service engine light is not on, there should be freeze frame data stored.

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Thursday, March 13th, 2008 AT 11:29 AM

PLAYER1242

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3 POSTS

Im in Canada, and I don't think we have Autozone's here. I don't know any place that will do a diagnostics test for free here. They charge like 80 bucks.

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Thursday, March 13th, 2008 AT 2:28 PM

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

You might want to consider buying a scanner, there are now fairly cheap ones that read only.40.00 or so.

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Thursday, March 13th, 2008 AT 2:33 PM

PLAYER1242

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3 POSTS

I don't know enough about it, I am going to take it in anyway. Is there any reason why it would give me this problem only in the morning and not at all for the rest of the day?

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Saturday, March 15th, 2008 AT 12:53 PM

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

Yes, I would prefer a confirming code. But an edjucated guess tells me it's the engine coolant temp sensor, or the air temp sensor, usuallt the two must be within as little as 5 degrees of each other, before the first start up if one is malfuntioning, it will cause this.