Hyundai accent sudden acceleration

SOURCE: 2000 Hyundai Accent

00-30-001 2000 ACCENT DMTL DIAGNOSIS: DTC CODES P1401, P1402 AND P1403

p1402 - dm-tl air pump motor is shorted or disconnected.

2000 model year accent is equipped with a new enhanced evaporative emission system. this new system is capable of measuring leaks as small as 0.020" diameter. the new system pressurizesthe evaporative emission system with a diagnostic module for tank leakage (dm-tl), while the previous model's system appliedengine vacuum through the purge valve to detect system leaks.

service information
vehicles that have the check engine light illuminated and have dtc p1401, p1402 and p1403 stored in the ecm should have their electrical systems diagnosed related to the appropriate dtc. these codes are not related in any way to an evaporative emission system leak. the conditions that set the diagnostic codes areas follows:
p1401 - dm-tl air pump motor current draw is higher or lower than expected (normal = 17-36 ma).
p1402 - dm-tl air pump motor is shorted or disconnected.
p1403 - dm-tl changeover valve is shorted or disconnected

SOURCE: Hyundai Veracruz 2007 Sudden engine

OK, folks, here's the scoop. The dealer took our Veracruz in for diagnostic testing and determined the cause of the problem was the actuator for the Electronic Transmission Control system (ETC).

Apparently, in later model cars like the Veracruz, a computer controls the transmission as well as the engine for optimum performance.

If the computer detects a severe enough fault in one of the components of the ETC (e.g. bad sensor, bad component, etc), it places the vehicle in limp home mode.

Based on my experiences, when in limp home mode, the transmission is forced to stay in 3rd gear, the engine will not exceed 2000RPM, the accelerator is not responsive past 2000RPM, and the engine runs rough (probably because the mixture is changed to very rich). The philosophy here, as was explained to me by somebody who works for Hyundai, is to allow the vehicle to continue operating long enough so that it can be driven to a safe location or for service.

I asked whether or not this limp home "feature" could be disabled at the dealership, but apparently it cannot.

I have alerted some folks at Hyundai Motor USA to this thread so they can do further research if the problem begins to affect more individuals than just us three.

FYI - I am in no way shape or form a mechanic or mechanically-minded, so if I have explained anything correctly, I will gladly accept further corrections/explanations from an expert or mechanic. :)