I just purchased my second hyundai, 2002 Santa Fe 2.7l (also have 2008 Sonata). About a week after I got it, a starting issue developed. When starting, the engine revs to about 2000 rpm then drops to 300 rpm, barely staying alive (has stalled) for about 10-30 seconds then goes to 700-1000 rpm. Fine rest of day. Almost seems like you need a choke on a basic engine. Weather has cooled off since i bought it, so was wondering if there is a temp sensor there somewhere that would cause this. Starting rest of day fine. Seem to recall it doing same once after parking for several hours.

New to forum. Done some good (and interesting) reading so far.
Thanks for any suggestions.

 

computer might be toast or a sensor

 

In seaching all of the web, I found one person whos says he experianced that when disconnecting the battery, it would take a number of starts (they said about a month for them) and then everything would be fine. Just when this all happened, I did clean the battery lugs (getting ready for winter). I still suspect a sensor gone somewhere (not computer) but suprisingly, yesterday the vehicle started perfectly normal!! Will try again when I get home today, but wondering now if computer has a 'learning curve' like some transmissions have. Hope thats what it is. Anyone else heard of this????? I have never heard of it on any other vehicle.

 

Not a lot of response on these posts, but a few readers so FYI the vehicle has been starting fine the last couple days. Guess the aforementioned notion that the computer is learning the engine may have some merit. Everything seems to be going good on the rig now and I am starting to take a liking to it. Suprisingly solid for a 2002. Took it off road last weekend and, while not really an off road machine, I put it through some tests and it performed well. Only issue was mud flaps bringing up going through a deep 'ditch', but they flopped back into shape with no damage done.