My car is hard to start, especially when cold. When it does start, it sputters and almost dies, then takes off at about 1500 rpm for a few seconds, and then idles down to normal. It will also puff a little brownish black smoke sometimes on start up, almost acting like it is getting too much gas on start up. Sometimes the SES light will come on, and sometimes not. Once the car starts, it runs fine wether the light is on or not. I ran the code on the SES light, and it is giving me a 54. I don't think the pump is bad, because it never acts like it is staved for gas, no matter how long you drive it. Is the relay going bad? Do I have a bad connection somewhere? Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Fixed it. Plug on Fuel Pump Relay was loose. Cleaned it and put it together better, and now it starts right up and no SES light.