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2001 Kia Optima auto start

Tiny
SD9251
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 KIA OPTIMA
  • 147,000 MILES
Writing about my car. 2001 Kia optima.
I live in Pittsburgh PA. And my daughter lives in Sandusky Ohio. When I go on trips to see her and
I stop one time to fill the my gas tank and rest for a short time.
Once I am there I park my car and dont drive it for 2 or 3 days.
When I get ready to make the trip back home, I have a hard time starting my car. It wants to start when I turn the key, but won't. And I have full power, lights, ect.
Eventually after a million tries, it finally starts, but it will hop, spit and sputters. When that subsides, it is okay.
I turn it off, wait a few minutes, then it starts fine.
I bought the car 5 years ago, I drive it everyday for work, which is local, (5 miles), and normal use for shopping ect. My driving daily is never over 20 miles per shopping trip. I never have this problem on a daily basis, it is just my long trips. Any idea what the problem could be?
No one can seem to give me an answer.
Thank you
Susan Davis

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Sunday, November 17th, 2013 AT 10:58 AM

15 Replies

Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
IS YOUR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON?

HAVE YOU KEPT UP WITH SCHEDULED (FULL) TUNE UPs AND ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE

I'M TALKING ABOUT GOING BY THE BOOK, NOT JUST HERE AND THERE PARTS CHANGIN'

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/2007-ford-taurus-tune-up

THE ONE IN THE PIC, "WILLY", MY 1946 WILLYS (67 YEARS YOUNG).....I HAD TO CATCH UP ON MEGA NEGLECTED MAINTENANCE FROM '91 TO '93 TO GET HIM SQUARED AWAY AGAIN.

WITH HIM AND MY OTHER JEEP ("MR. JEEP"---'77 CJ 5).....I GO WAY OVERBOARD WITH MY MAINTENANCE....I CHANGE THE PLUGS, WIRES, DIST CAP, ROTOR BUTTON, AND CHANGE/ FLUSH EVERY FLUID ONCE A YEAR....THIS INCLUDES THE TRANNY, TRANSFER CASE, BOTH DIFFERENTIALS

WITH "WILLY" OIL CHANGE INTERVALS ARE EVERY 2000 MILES...."MR. JEEP" EVERY 3000 MILES.....BOTH GET A QUART OF "LUCAS OIL STABILIZER" ON EVERY OIL CHANGE......THESE ARE BOTH DAILY DRIVERS, I VERY SELDOM HAVE A BAD ISSUE OCCUR...........BUT WHEN I DO, I FIX 'EM DIY, AND I FIX 'EM AS SOON AS I CAN

A REPAIR MANUAL WILL AID YOU GREATLY.......YOU MUST DECIDE WHEN AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE MAINTAINED......WHETHER YOU DIY IT, OR PAY THE OTHER GUY

KEEP US IN INFORMED

THE MEDIC
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Sunday, November 17th, 2013 AT 4:04 PM
Tiny
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Regular oil changes, at 5,000 miles. Tune up in 2009.

And the check engine light never comes on.
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Sunday, November 17th, 2013 AT 4:20 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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DOES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. AT ALL. LIKE TO VERIFY IT IS NOT BURNED OUT WHEN THE KEY IS "ON"?

4 YEARS IS A LONG TIME TO NOT BE MAINTAINING. WHAT IS THE SUGGESTION IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR SPARK PLUG CHANGIN'?

THE MEDIC
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Sunday, November 17th, 2013 AT 4:44 PM
Tiny
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Have to look at the manual.

And yes, the check engine light does come on during normal start up, so
no, the bulb isn't blown out. The car is mechanically sound otherwise.
The only problem I ever had with it was replacing a speed sensor.
When I get it inspected, it is gone over thoroughly, not a fly by night inspection place.

As long as I have had the car. Bought it august 2009, I never took it on any trips
until last summer from Pitts - to sandusky.
This problem only happened to me on those long trips, never during normal daily driving.
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Sunday, November 17th, 2013 AT 5:10 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
Susan:
Writing to you from the Latrobe area. Lol not too far away. When this happens, have you ever noticed any smoke from the exhaust when it finally starts?

Joe
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Sunday, November 17th, 2013 AT 6:10 PM
Tiny
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Didnt notice.
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Sunday, November 17th, 2013 AT 6:16 PM
Tiny
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  • 9 POSTS
I was supposed to go back to Ohio in December and I am afraid this will happen again.
Nothing comes up on diagnostics on a normal day either.
Thanks.
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Sunday, November 17th, 2013 AT 6:18 PM
Tiny
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And. I am in Latrobe also. LOL
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Sunday, November 17th, 2013 AT 6:21 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Since the car runs properly all other times, it leads me to think there is a fuel pressure issue to the engine. The reason I asked about the smoke is because if the pressure was too high, it could cause more fuel to get to the engine than is needed. Thus, causing the problem you described. If that is the case, usually one would see black smoke from the exhaust. However, it could be the opposite happening too. To little fuel pressure could cause the described problems as well.

I guess what I'm saying is that I would first have the fuel pressure tested to see if it is within the manufacturer's specs. Also, can you tell me this. If you let the car sit for a couple days at home without running it, would the same problem happen? Or, is it driven everyday and you never tried it?
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Sunday, November 17th, 2013 AT 6:21 PM
Tiny
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Yes, there have been times where It has sat for the weekend. Like after work on a friday.
And not driven til monday morning. And I have no problems.

It seems to only happen when I drive far.

I also had it at the body shop for a week to get a rust spot fixed while I was on vacation, It sat there for a week,
not driven or started, and it didn't happen when I picked it up.

Its really puzzling.
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Sunday, November 17th, 2013 AT 6:31 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Without it acting up, it is hard to diagnose. However, my gut feeling tells me it has something to do with fuel pump pressure.

Nice working with someone close. Nearly 60,000 questions I answered and you are the first one I know is near. Let me know if it happens again so we can check it. And, enjoy this beautiful weather we're having.
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Sunday, November 17th, 2013 AT 6:36 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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MUST BE THAT PITTSBURGH TRIANGLE!

ARE YOU "HANDY" Sd9251?

LIKE J AND N WAS GETTING TOWARDS WITH THE FUEL PRESSURE THING IS......MAYBE YOU SHOULD HAVE IT TESTED TO SEE IF IT IS WITHIN PROPER PARAMETERS ......NOW

MAYBE THE FUEL PUMP OR FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR ARE ARE GLITCHING........IF THEY ARE ORIGINAL, THEY ARE 12 YEARS OLD

MAYBE THE LONG RIDE WITH THE PUMP WORKING HARD, IS CAUSING THE GLITCH......'COURSE LOOKS LIKE THE LONG RIDE BACK WOULD MAKE IT DO IT AT HOME?

REGARDLESS, I PROMOTE THE DIY STUFF, IF YOU CAN DO THE TASK

TESTING FUEL PRESSURE AIN'T REAL HARD, AND YOU COULD OWN A NICE TOOL FOR LESS THAN HAVING IT TESTED AT A SHOP.....SHOULD YOU COME UP WITH A PRESSURE DEFICIENCY, YOU CAN STILL HAVE A SHOP DO THE "HARD STUFF"

SHOULD IT ALL CHECK OUT FINE (AT HOME)......YOU COULD CHECK IT IN THE "P-TRIANGLE", YOURSELF, IF YOU HAD THE TOOL.....WHEN IT'S ACTING UP.......THIS MIGHT "RULE IN" OR "RULE OUT" A PRESSURE ISSUE WITHOUT A SHOP BEING INVOLVED

COOL THING IS "YOU TUBE" CAN SHOW YOU HOW TO TEST FUEL PRESSURE AND "ADVANCE AUTO PARTS" AND OTHER STORES HAVE INEXPENSIVE TEST GAUGES....HECK, "YOU TUBE" MAY SHOW YOU HOW TO USE THE SPECIFIC BRAND YOU PURCHASE........INEXPENSIVE ONE IN MY LINK BELOW

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_fuel-pressure-test-kit-otc_28031640-p?searchTerm=fuel+pressure+test+gauge

I ALSO GRABBED THE PRESSURE SPECS FROM "MITCHELL I" FOR YOU

YOUR CAR WOULD PROBABLY WORK FINE DOWN HERE IN S.C. !

THE MEDIC
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Sunday, November 17th, 2013 AT 8:12 PM
Tiny
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Thank you for the info. I work at a vocational school with a auto tech dept.
He. Had no idea what the problem was. I'll pass on the info and see what he says.
Thanks.
Susan
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Monday, November 18th, 2013 AT 4:15 AM
Tiny
SD9251
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  • 9 POSTS
Talked to the teacher at school. He said the same thing.
Then he said, let me think about that and get back to you.
And, that a new pump can be expensive.

How would you do the pressure test? I didn't even think of asking him.
And. Where are you located in Latrobe?

Thanks for your help Jacobandnickolas.

Susan
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Monday, November 18th, 2013 AT 6:47 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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If you visit our homepage under the DIY section, you will find both directions and a video for checking fuel pump pressure. It is really easy to do. However, it does require a fuel pressure gauge. Most parts stores will lend or rent one to you.

(I'm near St. Vincent College)
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Tuesday, November 19th, 2013 AT 5:27 AM

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