Hyundai Repair: Hyundai 2004 Santa Fe fuel filter, transmission control module, numerical digits


Question
QUESTION: With 67,000 trouble-free miles my Santa Fe has started hesitating on acceleration and I suspect the fuel filter. It hasn't been changed in my recent memory. The owner's manual says 52,500-84,000
miles for replacement. I'm in Mexico and don't know a mechanic, let alone a Hyundai mechanic! Someone suggested I remove the filter and run gas through it backwards. May dislodge debris if that is the problem. Where is the Santa Fe fuel filter? Is it in the engine compartment or fuel tank? Thank you.

ANSWER: The fuel filter is located in the fuel tank and is part of the fuel pump assembly.  It's doubtful that you'll be able to backflush it.

It's also doubtful that the fuel filter is your problem.  Is your check engine lamp coming on?  If so, report the me the diagnostic trouble codes stored so I can help you assess your problem.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The "check engine" light has been on for a long time. Our regular mechanic in Florida reset it and it came right back on. He said it has nothing to do with the engine. There is something out of whack in the emission system. He said not to worry about it. You said to get the diagnostic trouble code? Where would I find that?

Answer
You'd need a code reader to retrieve the trouble code from the engine control module (ECM).  If your mechanic examined the situation at the time he checked it, he would have had to read the code.  If he didn't pass this information on to you, you'll need to find someone to do it for you.  I cannot speak as to where you could get this done in Mexico, but in the U.S., Auto Zone and AAMCO have advertised that they'll read the code for free.  In your case, you may need to find a mechanic and pay to have this done.

I'll be interested in any diagnostic trouble codes stored in the ECM and transmission control module (TCM).  These will be codes of the format Pxxxx where the x's represent numerical digits.