Car will not even crank over

Tiny
DAN NASH
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 KIA SPORTAGE
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 322,000 MILES
Driving along then all of a sudden car stops so I pulled over and now car will not even crank. Reds and clock and demisters not working. However, my lights and interior lights work. Checked fuses with test light all getting power except meter fuse and fuel pump fuse. My ECU fuse is getting power. I turn the key and nothing and I mean nothing not a sound. Help me please.
Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018 AT 6:16 PM

31 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,144 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like you have a battery that has shorted out and needs replacing but to be sure lets do this test to confirm the failure.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

And if bad this guide will give you an idea on how to change it,

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-car-battery

Please run this test and get back to us.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, January 4th, 2018 AT 11:46 AM
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 2000 KIA SPORTAGE
  • 150,000 MILES
My son purchased this car from a friend. The car has an issue we were aware of, but so far had not been a problem and he got a "good" deal on the car. The problem is that occasionally the car will just not crank. Nothing, not even a click from the solenoid. Usually after the car has been running and is warm, but that does not seem to be a requirement. Let it sit for a while (or a day or two or five) and it will start. I have not been able to find a similar problem through my searches on the internet.
Any ideas?
Thanks, I appreciate any help.
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Friday, January 5th, 2018 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Next time it happens have an assistant smack the starter with a hammer on the body of starter, if it starts that is your problem. It may have a flat spot on armature or solenoid problem.
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Friday, January 5th, 2018 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SPORTAGE5528
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 1999 KIA SPORTAGE
  • 63,000 MILES
I have a five speed. Recently when I down press the clutch I have to press it two to three times before the car will start. Now the car will not start at all. I need help of a pro. I appreciate any help I can get. Thanks very much. When I press down the clutch and turn the key, the car will not start. The does not make any sound.
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Friday, January 5th, 2018 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Have you made sure the battery cables are clean and tight? Also, had the battery tested? Do you have a multi-meter to do some testing?
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Friday, January 5th, 2018 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SPORTAGE5528
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I put a brand new Diehard battery in it yesterday, and everything is tight.
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Friday, January 5th, 2018 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Do you have a multimeter or test light to do some testing?
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Friday, January 5th, 2018 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SPORTAGE5528
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
No I do not have a multi-meter. Any suggestions if I happen to get my hands on a multi-meter?
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Friday, January 5th, 2018 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Yes, with the transmission in neutral and the e-brake on push the clutch all the way to the floor you should have power to the white wire and the blue wire at the clutch switch with everything on and the key in the start position. If you do then with the clutch pushed all the way in neutral etc, you should have battery voltage at the blue wire at the starter with the key in the start position. Let me know what you find.
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Friday, January 5th, 2018 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JOELLAMOREAUX
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 KIA SPORTAGE
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 38,000 MILES
Four cylinder four wheel drive automatic 38,000 miles.

Alright. I have a problem child that just will not stop giving me problems. Just as my girlfriend was ready to sell this car it will not start. The battery has juice but it will not turn over. I turn the key and all the lights and radio come on. Then I try to turn it over and nothing. So I hooked a wire from the battery and touched the starter solenoid and it tried to start then. What could be wrong? I hear the relay wire could be bad. Maybe the started is bad. I am not sure.
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Friday, January 5th, 2018 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Hello,

Here is something to check out first:

Take a look at the battery cables especially the ground (-) check for corrosion at the terminal and also check the connection at the block. It would not hurt to remove and clean the cable ends and the area on the block with a wire brush.

After doing that try starting if still does not start try jump starting it. If will jump start replace battery.

FYI - Just because all electrical work fine and normally does not mean the battery is not bad. Your battery can be fully charged (12.56 volts) But if the CCA (cold cranking amps) are low or nonexistent then it will not start.

.

Post results.

.
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Friday, January 5th, 2018 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SPORTAGE5528
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Okay, I will do that, and let you know.
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Friday, January 5th, 2018 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JOELLAMOREAUX
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Well I took the battery to Advance Auto and they said it was fine, the battery was just low. They said it was my starter since I was jumping it straight off the cylinder and by passing the starter all together.
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Friday, January 5th, 2018 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Alright keep me posted.
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Friday, January 5th, 2018 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Okay, did they tell you how low the battery was? And did they charge it up for you?

If not have you tried to jump start it?
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Friday, January 5th, 2018 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SPORTAGE5528
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I bought a test light. I put the car in the neutral position, pulled up the hand brakes. Turned the ignition on, grounded the test light pushed the clutch pedal down to the floor and held it there. Then I tested the blue wire and the white wire that comes from the ( clutch pedal ignition lock switch ). There was no power in ether of them. Waiting your response. Thank you.
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Friday, January 5th, 2018 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Go into your under-hood fuse box and see if the 80 amp main fuse is good and the 40 amp ignition fuse is good. If all that checks out then at the ignition switch the white wire should have constant power then turn the key to the start position and the black wire with a yellow tracer should have power.
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Friday, January 5th, 2018 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CORIG23
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 KIA SPORTAGE
  • 160,000 MILES
It had a leak in the gas tank and the tank was change and ran fine. Then nephew got a different car and just let it sit. So I went and jumped it and drove it fifteen miles home, parked it. Few days later jumped it again (battery was shot) and moved it. Did this a couple times but each time after the battery charger was put on it fired right up. Then it sat for a few months untouched. Now will not start at all. The oil and oil filter have been changed, new battery, new plugs, new fuel filter, new fuel pump and still will not start. Help me please! :)
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Friday, January 5th, 2018 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check fuel pressure with a guage if it is within specs and if the injectors are pulsing and also for spark.
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Friday, January 5th, 2018 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SPORTAGE5528
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I just checked all the under-hood fuses, they all are good. Any chance of that clutch pedal ignition lock switch is no good? The news that I do not want it be the starter.
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Friday, January 5th, 2018 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)

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