Mitsubishi Repair: Cold Start Hesitation, mitsubishi lancer, cold start

Question
Hi Anthony,

Today my 04' Mitsubishi Lancer ES (Automatic)almost died when I started it.  It runs rough for about one minute with a very low idle and fluctuates then starts running just fine. I changed the air filter b/c I knew that needed to be done but still the problem exists. It also happens when the car is warmed up and I shut it off and restart it. The car has about 26,000 miles on it.

Answer
Ron,
It's possible the battery is not properly holding a charge.  I would recommend getting the battery and alternator load tested.  Another possibility is that the engine is slightly flooding after the engine is turned off.  This can cause sputtering and hesitation when the engine is started up afterwards.  This can be caused by a fuel injector that gets stuck open.  If your car is still under warranty, have the dealership inspect it for any problems that might be covered.
Good luck!