Kia Sportage Wont Start: Possible Causes and Quick Fixes

Kia Sportage wont start because of one more causes such as issues with the fuel pump or a faulty starter. When you turn your car key and nothing happens, it is a frustrating experience. You are aware that you have fuel, so what’s going on?

Kia Sportage Wont Start

In this article, we will examine some typical causes of your Kia Sportage not starting, along with solutions and some valuable pointers for maintaining your Sportage in good working order.

Why Is Your Kia Sportage Not Starting?

Your Kia Sportage is not starting because of a clogged fuel filter, fuel pump failure, bad tank, empty tank, starter failure, defective alternator, rodent bites, loose cables, weak battery, and empty key battery. When you realize your Sportage won’t start, check for any of these to know the cause.

The Kia Sportage is a small SUV that debuted in 1993. It has gone through four generations and is currently in its fifth version, which started manufacturing in 2020. The Sportage is well-liked for its attractive styling, roomy cabin, and reasonable price. The Kia Sportage is a fantastic choice if you’re searching for a sleek and functional SUV. But like any car, it might have problems such as difficulty starting.

Here are some of the most possible reasons why your Kia Sportage won’t start.

– Clogged Fuel Filter/ Fuel Pump Failure

The fuel may stop flowing to the injectors if the fuel pump malfunctions. A clogged gasoline filter may make it impossible for the car to start. Diesel vehicles are susceptible to this, particularly during the transition from autumn to winter.

Causes of Kia Sportage Wont Start

During these times, weather suddenly turns chilly at night and there is still summer diesel in the tank. As the summer approaches, the diesel starts to flocculate, and paraffin crystals clog the fuel filter and stop the fuel from reaching the engine.

– Low-quality Fuel/ Empty Tank

It is essential to determine whether petrol is still in the tank if the starter cranks but the car won’t start. When the measurement needle becomes stuck, you might not even realize the tank is empty. To check for any liquid in the tank, slightly rock the car back and forth. Sometimes the issue might also be related to the fuel’s quality, such as contaminants or a subpar additive.

– Faulty Starter

The starter, a very sensitive wear component in older vehicles, may be the issue if the alternator and battery are not the root of the problem. Even while the starter continues to turn, it is no longer powerful enough to ignite the engine. The engine cannot be started if the starter merely clicks when the key is turned. Both times, the starter is broken. When pressing doesn’t work, using a hammer is advised.

 

The starter is given a few light taps with the hammer on its housing to free the “hanging” magnetic switch and enable the engine to restart. However, this is simply a short-term fix. Only taking off the starter or visiting a mechanic will fix it for the long term.

– Rodent Bites and Loose Cables

You need to respond quickly if it’s a rodent bite. Insulating tape can be used to cover the spark plug cables during the changeover, but they should be changed as soon as possible. It’s critical to check the engine compartment for more rat bites when the car restarts. A broken cooling water line can seriously harm an engine.

When spark plug cables are faulty or loose, the plugs cannot provide the necessary spark, preventing the engine from starting. Reattaching any loose cables and connectors is the most straightforward fix. The insulation has been harmed if the cables are tightly wound but sparking. Rodent bites may be the reason for this.

– Empty Key Fob Battery

A remote control key operates the electronic ignition switch seen in most modern vehicles. This key contains an electronic chip that connects to the immobilizer, which controls the vehicle’s central locking system. If the extra key works to make the car start, the remote control key’s battery may be the only thing that’s dead.

Empty Key Car Fob Battery

The control unit can no longer recognize the remote control key, and the car won’t start if it loses synchronization with the radio remote control by changing the battery. The key must be learned again in the specialized workshop in this situation.

– Faulty Alternator

If you frequently experience starting issues, the alternator may be at fault. The harm is minimal if the alternator’s drive belt alone is faulty. If the alternator is broken, the battery won’t be adequately charged while you’re driving.

Solutions for Kia Sportage Wont Start

This is indicated by the battery icon that is always glowing. The workshop must replace a faulty alternator. At the same time, the starter battery should also be examined.

– Weak Battery

Most of the time, battery issues make it impossible for the car to start. Battery performance can be significantly impacted by the cold in particular. As a result, the battery is less effective and used more for things like heaters, windshield wipers and headlights.

The following symptoms point to a battery issue:

  • When starting the car, there is a clicking sound.
  • The starter turns slowly.
  • The car either won’t start at all or starts partially.

The signal lamps’ lights flicker or go out altogether. It’s quite easy to determine whether or not the battery is the issue.

The battery is dead if the headlights won’t turn on or if they shine dimly. Alternatively, you can use a multimeter to gauge the voltage at the battery terminals. The battery must be recharged if the voltage is less than 12 volts. A good battery should typically be between 12.4 and 12.7 volts.

What Are Possible Fixes To Make Your Kia Sportage Start?

The possible fixes to make your Kia Sportage start include jumpstarting your vehicle, which is the most common and straightforward method to repair a dead battery. You can also replace your alternator if it is failing, or replace your starter motor if it is malfunctioning.
You can follow some directions to fix the issue of your Kia not starting.

– Starting Your Sportage When the Battery Is Low

These are the two main ways to start your car when the battery is low:

  • Use a battery booster: Keep an eye on the proper cable cross-section. Typically, gasoline engines require 16-millimeter squares, but larger engines may also require 25 mm2. Therefore, a 16-millimeter square booster cable is adequate for Kia.
  • Jumpstart with another car: Before connecting, consider the plus and minus poles (red and black cables). The red wire is attached to the battery’s positive terminal when the donor car begins, while the black one is attached to the negative terminal. There is a risk of flying sparks if the black cable is linked to the battery of the breakdown vehicle. You should instead attach the cable to any bare metal on or near the engine.

Frequently Asked Question

– How Do You Use a Key To Start a Kia Sportage?

To use a key to start your Kia Sportage, you need to insert the key in the ignition and then switch the key to the on position. Immediately, you’ll see the dashboard lights come on. However, if they don’t, that means your battery is dead.

If you have a keyless start, you don’t have to be worried about your car not starting because of a low battery. If the battery is dead and your Sportage has a keyless start, there is a simple way to start it. All you have to do is prepare a spare key fob and perform some actions.

First, press the brake pedal firmly. Press and hold the START/STOP button with the second key fob. When the engine begins, let go of the START/STOP button. For three seconds, press and hold the START/STOP button. The engine will also shut down as a result.

Kia Sportage Wont Start Solved

Conclusion

We’ve discussed all you should know about why your Kia Sportage wont start and how you can fix it,

so let’s have a quick recap:

  • Your Kia Sportage is not starting because of a clogged fuel filter, fuel pump failure, bad tank, empty tank, starter failure, defective alternator, rodent bites, loose cables, weak battery and an empty key battery.
  • Some of the more popular fixes are to jump-start your vehicle, replace your faulty alternator, and replace your broken starter.
  • The Kia Sportage is a small SUV that debuted in 1993. It has gone through four generations and is currently in its fifth version, which started manufacturing in 2020.
  • To use a key to start your Kia Sportage, you need to insert the key in the ignition and then switch the key to the on position. Immediately, you’ll see the dashboard lights come on.

As you can see, several issues such as a low battery, an alternator issue, motor issue, or loose wires can prevent your Kia Sportage from starting. You may try a few other things to solve the problem. If your car still doesn’t start, you should visit a repair shop to have them take a look.

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