HELP - Kia Sportage - No Crank No Start

49erRider

49erRider

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Alright I'm coming to the internet wizards for some help.

Met my GF at chickfila the other day and as I pull up there is smoke coming from under the hood. She shuts the car off immediately and I start to see if I can tell where its coming from.

Long story short I couldn't find the location of the smoke. And the car wouldn't start again.

We had it towed back to my house and my first thought was going to be dead battery - alternator seized - burned up belt caused smoke.
Well when I get back to the house used my jump pack and nothing. So then I tested the battery and it tested fine.
So it somewhat negates my alternator theory.

So now I swapped fuses and relays around and still nothing. I used a test light on the cables coming from the battery and those all tested. I thought it might be that as one of the positive cables looks a little melted.

So anyways,
When I try to start the car absolutely nothing. No crank, No start. You hear a relay trying to kick over but thats it.

Belts aren't torn or shredded so still not even sure where the smoke really came from.

08 Sportage - 135k miles

HELP!
 
Use an actual volt meter, a test light will still light up at 6 volts
 
Okay just tried to bypass the relay for the starter and jump it, the started only clicked.

Next question is would a faulty starter cause the car to smoke at idle?
 
Here's some reading that I would definitely look in to. Seems to be your year.

www.kron4.com

Older Kia Sportage recalled for engine fire risk, again

The 2008-2009 Kia Sportage is being recalled for an increased engine fire risk, and owners are being advised to park outside away from other structures, the NHTSA disclosed Wednesday. The recall fo…
www.kron4.com www.kron4.com
 
Got coolant and oil in it? Get one hot enough it could seize.
 
Well I went ahead and pulled the starter yesterday. Distinct burnt smell coming from it after pulled. Also you can see out of the "weep" holes in it whatever they are there is a burnt plastic/rubber that has seeped out, also see the burns where it mats up to the bell housing. New one comes today so will throw it in and hopefully that was the fix.

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That’s the symptom.
 
49erRider said:
It should only be hot when attempting to start the car correct? I don't think it will be as I only hear the relay click when attempting to start the car.
Click to expand...
Yes only in the start position. But you can still hear the relay click if the small wire is shorted to power
 
heavydoc said:
Yes only in the start position. But you can still hear the relay click if the small wire is shorted to power
Click to expand...

Okay sorry for all the questions but if it was a short would you go relay or where would I look? I'm about to go crawl under the car and test it right now.
 
49erRider said:
Okay sorry for all the questions but if it was a short would you go relay or where would I look? I'm about to go crawl under the car and test it right now.
Click to expand...
It could be, just hafta trace it backwards to see where it no longer has power
 
Okay so now I'm maybe more confused than when I went out there.
The starter has three connections, the wire plug, the hot wire, and then the wire from solenoid to starter.

When testing the hot wire with no key in the ignition it reads at 12v.

However, when looking at the battery it looks to me like one of the wires off the positive terminal goes straight to the starter. Even when pulling the relay I still got 12v at that area.
Is something wrong, or should it be that way on this car?

Thanks again for all the help. Attached a few photos.

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NVM looks like the big wire will have constant power it looks like I need to check and see if I have any power coming to that harness.
 
Okay, just tested the wire to ign. Everything worked just as it should, no key no power, car on no power, trying to start - got power.
So I'm guessing the solenoid on the last starter just completely crashed?

So new starter should be safe to install?
 
49erRider said:
Okay, just tested the wire to ign. Everything worked just as it should, no key no power, car on no power, trying to start - got power.
So I'm guessing the solenoid on the last starter just completely crashed?

So new starter should be safe to install?
Click to expand...
Not necessarily a bad solenoid could have been an internal short in the starter the last time she started the car. But by your test you should be gtg
 
Well, I think I have it figured out.

Starter replaced and it started up just like it should.

However, I think the ignition cylinder/switch is bad. I think it is jumping from on/start without the proper manipulation of the key. Does anyone know what part I would need on an 08 Kia Sportage?

Thanks!!!!
 
Not sure on your vehicle, but there’s usually two parts. The ignition key cylinder, and then an actuator that it turns. I’m not sure of an easy way to troubleshoot it until you have it taken apart. Is the key cylinder in the dash or steering column?
 
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49erRider said:
So you think it would be the switch and not the cylinder where the key enters? Just checking before I throw another part at it.
Click to expand...
The switch will move to START then spring back to the RUN position, if the switch is hanging up, the starter will continue to run,
I believe this is what happened to your starter.
 
Button Pusher said:
The switch will move to START then spring back to the RUN position, if the switch is hanging up, the starter will continue to run,
I believe this is what happened to your starter.
Click to expand...
Yep 100% agree, just making sure that switch you posted is what I'm looking for not the lock cylinder correct? Headed to autozone now!
 
49erRider said:
Yep 100% agree, just making sure that switch you posted is what I'm looking for not the lock cylinder correct? Headed to autozone now!
Click to expand...
Not to be a smartass but if you have it apart already , and if those parts are failing, for the cost and aggravation just do both.

My logic is if it's the other part, the car may burn to the ground. Her safety would be my concern.
 
Not sure which models were affected but kia/Hyundai had issues with the linkage in starter itself breaking, usually the solenoid threw and the Bendix didn't, but I imagine it could bind a number of ways. Your time, starters fail, relay(s) fail, ign switches do too but a lot less often. If it can't be made to malfunction I'd leave it alone.
 
Okay so all the updates:

Got the new ign/starter switch on. That was def part of the problem as there was little to no resistance and the spring back wasn't there.
Car started fine and did just what it should do about 10 times or so. Take it to get gas/air in tires for her and bam stranded at the gas station.

New starter is just spinning, and sounds like it won't move to engage. Good times. Thats what I get for buying a $70 starter on Amazon.

Picking up a "quality" starter from Napa today and will redo it all again.

Good Times, waiting on the tow truck to drop it right now.

Hope she appreciates all this!
 
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