[pmctexas]

Has anybody experienced this ? Foot on brake, all lights go on, seat moves, etc but starting sequence just doesn't happen. Eventually, it will start (so far) after few tries... Random pattern. It is at the dealer now and of course they can't repeat.. This is my only mechanical frustration (37K miles) otherwise I really love this car...
Thanks

 

[jallanblue]

Has anybody experienced this ? Foot on brake, all lights go on, seat moves, etc but starting sequence just doesn't happen. Eventually, it will start (so far) after few tries... Random pattern. It is at the dealer now and of course they can't repeat.. This is my only mechanical frustration (37K miles) otherwise I really love this car...
Thanks

Does the starter engage. Had something similar with mine. Car had 1/2 tank, press the button but wouldn't start. After several tries it starts. Turned out to be the fuel pump, which they replaced. Happened withing the first 6months i purchased it new.

If the starter isn't engaging, sounds like it could be electrical.

 

[MadMax]

I can't tell you that it will fix it, but your battery may not have the same cold cranking amps it used to and the car computer may be responding to it. If you get a tester on the battery you'll find out quick. If you live in brutal heat, you may not get more then 3-4 years out of a battery. The dealership can test the battery for you. My dealer said mine had low cranking amps (readout from the test), but the car started just fine. I went ahead and replaced the battery with a better quality one at the local parts store. Even with a 17% discount, this one cost about as much as the dealership wanted to put theirs in with labor, but this one has a much better warrantee then the one the dealership offered.


Just a thought. My theory on it was last thing I want is to test how long it takes before the old battery stranded me one day.

 

[pmctexas]

Thanks for the responses - starter does not engage - seems electrical.. Battery is just a year old and dealer tested electrical and said all was OK... Diagnostics continue - dealer provided loaner which makes life much easier.. I hope they find an answer...

 

[sh30469]

I may have had something similar except mine did have the starter cranking several times but it sounded like it was just trying to start a lot but nothing ignited (normal mechanical sounds until it would have normally started the engine and idle, but engine never actually started). In the over 3 yrs now that I've owned my car I think it's only ever happened maybe 3 times, 2 I remember clearly.

 

[pmctexas]

Thanks - dealer replaced a "brake lamp switch" but it still did it. I'll live with it for now and if it become a pain move on...
pmc

 

[sh30469]

Maybe you could take your phone out and record video when you get into the car and start it if you have time to do that often. Getting it on video (and audio) may help them determine what it is even if it doesn't happen in front of them. They may say they can't properly diagnose it if it doesn't happen there but at least they may have seen/heard it before and might be able to diagnose it that way. I did that when my screen started to go weird on me and when my camera started to flicker. They replaced the camera from that video and noted my screen issues but since the nav screen and system are so expensive in our cars (repairs were over $5k for Kia) they had to see it at the moment to diagnose, record, and replace. They first replaced 1 component trying not to do the most expensive part and just after they called me to pick my car up they called back and said he tried it one last time and it came back again, so they had to do the full replacement.

Sorry, TLDR; Take video when you start your car and present that to your dealer, may help.

 

[funnyman7915]

Thanks - dealer replaced a "brake lamp switch" but it still did it. I'll live with it for now and if it become a pain move on...
pmc

I would have waltzed back down to the dealership and say wtF GET THIS FIXED!

 

[jallanblue]

When I had the problem with my fuel pump. I spoke with a friend who asked "Do you let the car get to "E" before you refill?".... Yes.. I didn't fill up till I would see the light come on...He said, that was most likely the reason the fuel pump went out. Owning his company, he as 25-30 trucks on the road and had numerous fuel pumps go. Using his mechanics advise, he started fueling the trucks at 1/2 tank. No more fuel pumps have gone out since (several years later).

My resolution came quick because the dealership was able to get it to happen onsite. Not sure if that was my problem or if it was just a bad fuel pump.
Hopefully this information will help eliminate possibilities/determine the problem before the warranty is out.

Which I must say Thank You to all that posts. My rims were/are peeling. The local dealership told me it was likely some cleaner I put on the rims/tires and that Kia probably wouldn't cover it (that was several months ago). Last week, read a post (dated last month) were someone successfully got their dealer to replace the rims under warranty.. So I called the dealership I purchased it from (2 hours away because I moved). My new rims will be in this week (covered under warranty!!) and they are being shipped to the local dealer....So thanks davelev213 for that post and all others that take the time to do the same..

 

[sh30469]

Letting the fuel level get down low in a tank isn't a great practice for anyone. Any particulate that is floating can get into the lines and other mechanics easier when the fuel level drops too low. I don't let my car get below 1/2 tank (very rarely down to 1/4 and never under) under normal conditions and I usually fill up once a week at around 3/4.

Don't forget, Kia recommends the use of Chevron Techron fuel additive every 7k miles (I do mine every other oil change). If you bought your car used and it doesn't state that this was done at service I would highly suggest you add one at your earliest convenience and start to do it every 7k with your next oil change. Our cars run sooty and this helps to clear that stuff out of there so everything keeps operating properly.

Back when Kia had their deal for free service while my car was under lease it was 5 oil changes in 3 years (once every 7 months as I don't drive many miles). Since then Kia recommends every 3 months but I'm not sure why. We use blended dino/synth and should be good for 7mo/7kmi but hey, I do what they say. I have a pre-paid plan now for my maintenance and it's a change every 3 months so I just do it that way now. I bring them some Techron every other change and make sure they note it on the service record. If anything ever happens to my car's engine I don't want them trying to say I neglected recommended maintenance.

Also, make sure you use a top-tier gasoline like Shell or BP in your area. Here is a list with other info on the pages: Licensed Brands | Top Tier Gas