I have been fighting an electrical problem for over a month and have been left stranded at least 5 times. I can always get it push started if I'm on a hill or I get help. I have replaced the battery, alternator and the starter and after a few days the problem comes back. I have tested every relay, fuse, wire and the ignition switch. I am going to make one last attempt at the problem and if I fix it my Kia will be up for sale, if I can't fix it I'm going to part it out. I have had a good run with this Kia, buying it brand new and with almost 200,000 miles on it it doesn't owe me a dime. Even though one way or another my Kia will be gone I will alway check in here and help out when I can. I am in the market for a Jeep TJ for a mild and reliable build.

Dennis

I had a problem like that with my first car ('78 Monte Carlo <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />). It turned out to be corrosion in the battery cable where it attached to the starter. Everything was fine when it was cold. But the resistance increased when the cable warmed up (engine heat, hot day in the desert... even juice flowing through the wire) The problem got progressively worse each day. I replaced the battery, alternator and the starter, only to finally realize it was the cable. And that was only after I cut back the insulation. The cable looked fine otherwise. I can't guarantee that's your problem. But it's something to check out if you haven't already. Might want to check out both cables on that note...

Thanks, the cables look good but under the insulation could bad.

Dennis

what are your symptoms??

Turn the key to on and everything comes on like normal, go to start and nothing happens not even a click. I'm going to try running a wire up from the trigger terminal on the starter and touching on the battery post and if that don't work i'll try new battery cables.

Dennis

if you charge the battery, and hook it up, can you hook up a voltmeter to it and actually watch the voltage drop? if so, start pulling fuses till it stops. you may have something drawing power when the truck is off..

I had the same thing happen to me.
Was driving and the vehicle died for nothing.
All the electronics worked inside and out.
Turn over the ignition and nothing. Not Even a Click!!!
Paid for a tow from side of the road to the mechanics shop.
Guy laughs for a minute and comes back with a screw driver.
Screws the negative terminal clamp on tighter than hell, no problem since.
I felt like an idiot. But how the hell was I supposed to know.
The batterie was new and I torqued everything down myself???
Needless to say; try replacing the cables before you scrap the project.

Dennis,

Don't go over to the dark side!!! Keep the Sportage. It can be fixed.

Logansportage <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

hate too see you upset with you sporty dennis. especially after just getting done with motor rebuild.

my kia quit on highway last year. got it towed home. it would turn over,unlike yours,just wouldnt start. pulled it in garage and was about to begin to tear down for timing belt. figured it must have broke. then i thought i better make sure. had the wife turn the key as i looked in oil fill hole in valve cover. the valves were turning therefore timing belt is not broke. then i thought maybe it jumped a gear. while contimplating the problem,my wife went inside. i didnt know she had left key on. by chance i was looking over fuses that are by the battery. one was kind of sticking up. i push down on it,and i hear something start humming. it was the feul pump. because wife left key in on posistion. i thought " no way" "it cant be that easy" sat in the car turned the key and viola ! it fired right up.

one loose fuse.

i also had the dirty negative terminal (someone spoke of) on starter,on an old ford truck.as it got warm ,no go,father in law told me, bad ground on starter terminal...he was right.

i hope your able to find something simple, electrical problems stink.

NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DONT LET YOUR SPORTY GO,YOU AND YOUR SPORTY ARE LEGENDS ON THIS FORUM MAN DUDE I THINK I SPEAK FOR MOST OF THE GUYS HERE ON THE KIA FORUM.BE PATIENT IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING REALY STUPID AND SMALL.PS STAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYY AWAY FROM THE DARK SIDE <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />