Car Trouble...?

Question

I have a Hyundai Accent, and for a while now it has been going downhill.

First of all, when I first start the car, say in the morning when it is chilly, it idles VERY hard and I can't get any gas at all to the engine until it warms up. And then, once I do get it going I can't push on the gas too hard or the engine will just completely die. Also, I can't get it to go very fast at all, nothing above 45 or so and it is a chore getting it up there.

I don't have much money, so I want to know what it is to see if I can get it fixed myself. Any ideas about what is wrong?

Answer 1

Get your MAF sensor diagnosed. It may be at adaptation limit, but not out of spec, therefore not setting a code and turning on the Check Engine light. This would cause your ECM to read a warmer or colder temperature than the temperature actually is, and the ECM may be compensating for a warmer temperature, rather than a cooler temperature, thus trying to run the car as if it is at operating temperature, rather than the colder temperature. MAF sensors are not very cheap, comparatively speaking. You will find it between the air filter compartment and the throttle body in your air intake tube. One diagnosis and part will be cheaper than chasing parts down on this one. The MAF sensor may cause other sensors to read out of spec, but they also won't throw up a code, due to the ECM not seeing a problem, as it thinks it is doing its job, based on the temperature of the air crossing the MAF sensor. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Sounds like the cold temperature sensor and or the oxygen sensors.
If it runs well after it is warm but isnt getting as good a gas maileage it is probably the oxygen sensors if it does do well on gas after warming up it is probably in your cold idle system which the temperature sensors control.

Answer 3

well now u know not to buy a hyundai, der pieces of crap

Answer 4

first thing I would do is change fuel filter and air filter...thats the cheapest place to start...