Solve my problem: the unfixable car
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 331
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several times (checking the timing belt. it was replaced about 15k miles ago.) plus, it would give a code if the timing belt jumped, it has a cam position sensor and a crank position sensor. no codes, no check engine light, engine cranks over fine it just wont start.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 931
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From: Cool, CA
Don't waste your time on mechanics, this is likely an electrical problem. Hawk already mentioned that you should check the engine ground. It almost sounds like your electrical system is no longer grounded. Check the negative batter cable too. It's obviously attached but look for corrosion or damage. Bulbs and minor electronics could function this way but main (power hungry) systems will have problems.
Second to that you need to check the wiring harness to the computer itself. I've never seen how Kia does it but I'm sure there a few wires. It is very possible that a wire from a sensor to the computer, or even the computer ground wire are damaged. I imagine these are in a wring harness so this piece of troubleshooting could be quite hard. Someone more schooled on this might be able to tell you how to test the computer for output signals.
BTW, aren't Kia's still around? Might be simpler to pay a dealer $100 or so for their diagnostic.
Second to that you need to check the wiring harness to the computer itself. I've never seen how Kia does it but I'm sure there a few wires. It is very possible that a wire from a sensor to the computer, or even the computer ground wire are damaged. I imagine these are in a wring harness so this piece of troubleshooting could be quite hard. Someone more schooled on this might be able to tell you how to test the computer for output signals.
BTW, aren't Kia's still around? Might be simpler to pay a dealer $100 or so for their diagnostic.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 931
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From: Cool, CA
$500 to do a diagnostic!? That's highway robbery. I've had cars diagnosed at dealerships many times for about 1 hour of their hourly rate. I don't mean a tear down diagnostic, I mean a computer diagnostic where they hook it up and diagnose the computer / sensors.
Here is another thought. If you know the computer works how do you ensure that it is powered on in the car? Maybe its simply not getting power...
Here is another thought. If you know the computer works how do you ensure that it is powered on in the car? Maybe its simply not getting power...
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 331
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there are no codes. there are two ways to read it- plug it in (no codes) or jumper the plug in and the check engine light will flash the code numbers. the check engine light does not come on at all. has been checked for codes about 8 billion times. power is going in to the computer and all outputs i have checked do have power. all grounds from the computer seem to be okay too (tested with a voltmeter, zero restistance).
thanks all for your help so far.... i'm kinda leaning towards the key switch. thats one thing i havent checked yet, and the p.o. mentioned it had been replaced under warranty when it was almost brand new, but it was not the same problem.
thanks all for your help so far.... i'm kinda leaning towards the key switch. thats one thing i havent checked yet, and the p.o. mentioned it had been replaced under warranty when it was almost brand new, but it was not the same problem.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,456
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From: Indiana
Is it a multi-port or throttle body injected? I have had a bad crank position sensor do the same things on other cars.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: South...
For those knocking KIA... Ford Festiva is a rebadged Kia "Pride". I believe the Aspire is also a rebadged Kia...but I could be wrong on that one.
Ford Festiva is the BEST tiny (non-ford) Ford ever built (IMHO). You still see many of them on the road...sure wish I still had mine...the 45mpg was GREAT!!!
I must admit though... I lost MUCH respect for KIA since Hyundai bought 'em out!!!
Regards,
Scott
Ford Festiva is the BEST tiny (non-ford) Ford ever built (IMHO). You still see many of them on the road...sure wish I still had mine...the 45mpg was GREAT!!!
I must admit though... I lost MUCH respect for KIA since Hyundai bought 'em out!!!
Regards,
Scott
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: West Valley Utah
I don't know if Kia has it, just throwing out another idea. How about a low oil pressure sensor. I know a lot of autos have this switch/sensor that can go bad and drop power to the fuel pump or where ever they decide to drop power.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 925
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From: northwest,sc
I had an old Dodge do that to me one time, Well an 88 Dynasty.
I could squirt carb cleaner in the air intake and it would run but as soon as I stopped the engine would too.
I put a new map senson on it and it has ran every since. I did alot of changing things and even tried a new computer.
I could squirt carb cleaner in the air intake and it would run but as soon as I stopped the engine would too.
I put a new map senson on it and it has ran every since. I did alot of changing things and even tried a new computer.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 2
From: CA Central Coast
1) Does it have any safety switches, like it has to have the clutch in, or in neutral, or stepping on the brake, or whatever? If so, check 'em.
2) Wifey's '94 Town Car would crank and crank without starting, do it about twic a week. On a tip, I replaced 3 9 dollar relays that're next to each other...the IAC, the AC cutout, and I forget the third. Haven't had the problem since. See if there are any cheap relays to replace, tap on (sticky).
2) Wifey's '94 Town Car would crank and crank without starting, do it about twic a week. On a tip, I replaced 3 9 dollar relays that're next to each other...the IAC, the AC cutout, and I forget the third. Haven't had the problem since. See if there are any cheap relays to replace, tap on (sticky).
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 331
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Well, i had a MAJOR break through today!! Started checking things AGAIN, and had this brain fart in a good way. I knew the ignition switch was okay, but what about the power out of it? it goes three places, the coil, condensor, and computer. Checked those three, and there was no power to the computer. Tried tracing the wire back with no luck, so i just ran a new power wire to the computer and viola! iT RUNSS!! I felt pretty darn good considering the shop here in town AND a kia forum with a couple of actuall kia employees couldnt figure it out!! still gotta track down that wire though.... So THANK YOU to all of you for your help and suggestions!!
Doug.
Doug.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 2
From: CA Central Coast
Hey, good for you! And thanks for checking back in with the success tip.
Maybe the Kia guys will let you have a copy of their wiring schematic?..to see if the wire goes through any relays on the way to the 'puter.
Maybe the Kia guys will let you have a copy of their wiring schematic?..to see if the wire goes through any relays on the way to the 'puter.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 931
Likes: 0
From: Cool, CA
Originally Posted by dorkpunch
Well, i had a MAJOR break through today!! Started checking things AGAIN, and had this brain fart in a good way. I knew the ignition switch was okay, but what about the power out of it? it goes three places, the coil, condensor, and computer. Checked those three, and there was no power to the computer. Tried tracing the wire back with no luck, so i just ran a new power wire to the computer and viola! iT RUNSS!! I felt pretty darn good considering the shop here in town AND a kia forum with a couple of actuall kia employees couldnt figure it out!! still gotta track down that wire though.... So THANK YOU to all of you for your help and suggestions!!
Originally Posted by MRKnight
...Second to that you need to check the wiring harness to the computer itself...
