Good afternoon, I wonder if anyone can help me with this. My 2003 Elantra GT keeps cutting off in the middle of my commute. Today is the coldest day of this winter and it's seems to be getting worse. I purposely let it run for 30 min this morning before leaving for work. It kept cutting off at stop lights and when I try to accellerate, the engine light pops on for a second and hesitates but keeps going.

I don't know what it could be. I've had a full tune-up with platinium plugs, oil changes on time, transmission flush and everything. Can someone tell me what it could be??

Thanks.

 

by 'cuts off' do you mean stalling? i'm going on that assumption.

having 'full tuneups' doesnt mean that you won't ever have any technical issues...helps, but stuff happens.

anyhow, first off. i'm guesing your infamous check engine light is on. the computer is logging an error code, we need that to help! i'd hook up a scantool anyways, sometimes the light is not illuminated but codes can be stored.

if you don't have one depending on where you live you can get one for free, they're dead easy to use. i hear pepboys (or something like that) in the US will run one for free.

since its a combustion problem, start with the basics: Fuel, Air, Spark.

spark: sure you did plantinums, but what they didn't tell you is that not every engine is designed for platinum plugs. your engine will run better on copper plugs or iridium if you feel like tossing some money away. next check wires for any breaks. coil packs should be checked, there are some auto parts stores that can do this for you. i know theres a couple where i live (canada). alternatively, buy a spark indicator test tool. incredibly cheap, you hold it up to the wire and a little light fires due to the high voltage across the wires. its called Electromotive Force if you care, or EMF for short

Fuel: your fuel pump could be on its way out and not supplying enough fuel at times. not likely but a possibility. testing the fuel system pressure isn't a bad idea. easy/ghetto way to check fuel on the cheap: disconnect all plug wires, don't mix them up. i usually tag them and number them just in case i do something stupid. next turn the engine over a couple times. pull out each plug and smell it. should smell like gas. if not, something is wrong with an injector. may be partially blocked and not flowing enough fuel.

Air: again similar concept, a badly clogged air intake could cause a stall - engine just can't pull in enough air to burn enough fuel. check the filter, intake hose and throttle body for blockage.

now to add another category: electronics! a bad sensor can easily cause this problem. cam position sensor (CPS), crank postion sensor (CKP), manifold absolute pressure sensor (MAP) to name a few. and thats why we need to get your ECU checked with a scantool!!

 

Thanks, Zero for information!