Hyundai Repair: 2002 Hyundai Accent 1.6 auto trans question, hyundai accent, pulse generators

Question
Hello...This is a multipart question with the most presssing at the start.The car is a Accent 2002 with auto transmission and 1.6 engine.The car has not been driven  hard at all.I am very gentle with it.In fact it has only 15,000 miles on it at this point in 07.The other day I was around town..When I went to pull away at a yield sign slowly,I noticed it was sluggish in first gear..Maybe 3 seconds later the check engine light came on...I had only a few blocks to go..and it stayed that way till I got home.Once home,I shut the car off..waited a few minutes and started it.Light was still on as I would expect it to be having set a code,but the car now drove normal.Later maybe 2 hours,I got in and started it up.The check engine light went out,and so far has stayed that way,and the car seems fine.Doing some reading on the net.I had seen a pulse gen mentioned.I am wondering if that could be it.My question with this is ;I plan to take it to the hyundai dealer,and I want to know if its safe to drive it up there?? ,maybe 10 miles.I wouldn't want to do anything to make things worse even though its running as it should be at the moment.While I am at it on the trans..is this a warranty item as I am now on second half of it that covers the drivetrain,or is this a sensor that they will not cover.Another question if you don't mind.Service rep told me to change the timing belt..even though it has 15k miles on it.I had seen in the huyndai book for my year ..they "require" it at 5 years or 60k.I plan to do it,but can't at this moment.I know that its hard if not impossible to tell when things break,but with 15k on it would you think I would be ok for a while till I can swing it.Thanks for any help you can give in this matter.Arnold

Answer
It sounds like your transmission control module (TCM) put the transmission in failsafe (3rd gear only).  This can happen for a variety of reasons, including a problem with the pulse generators.  One common issue is with electromagnetic interference in the vehicle speed sensor signal causing the TCM to misinterpret the signal and set  a trouble code for one of the pulse generators.  There's a programming update for your TCM if this is the issue.  Most issues will be covered by the 5 year/60,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.  If you're beyond the 5 years, then only internal transmission issues or leaks will be covered by the 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty (for the original owner).  Although possible, it isn't likely you have such a problem.

The timing belt is recommended to be replaced at four years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.  Your engine isn't known for having timing belt issues, so it's likely that it'll be okay if you have to let it go for a little while.  Just remember that the longer you wait, the greater the chance that something will happen.