Starting issues
Asked by JeffKia Mar 22, 2018 at 02:38 PM about the 2009 Kia Spectra EX
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
Usually on cooler days or after sitting over night, car will
not start. Turn the key and get one click from engine bay
but no rotation. All lights are on that are usually on at start.
Battery and start the relay are new. It will start eventually if
you cycle the key several times. Any ideas?
5 Answers
Sounds like a faulty starter.
I had the same problem with my Kia Soul. After an exhaustive search for the cause, I finally realized that the ground cable running from the negative battery to the shock tower was not sufficient. After a few years the ground is inadequate. Get you a two foot long battery cable with eyelets on both ends and it from the battery terminal to a bolt on the engine or transmission itself. It fixed the problem and haven't had any issues since. In the warm weather the expansion tightens up the connection to the engine. When it's cold everything contracts and the ground gets loose somewhere. I cannot imagine for the life of me why they would hook the ground from the battery to the body. Makes no sense.
I have a 2006 Kia Spectra and had been having dead batteries. I was having problems finding out why. Then a week ago I had a neighbor tell me they passed my house and the lights were on in the car. Sure enough, the battery was dead the next morning. The switch was in the automatic position.
I also have had the same issue that @Guru1J18T had. I found that if I open and close the driver door a few times it often fixes the issue. Seems like a faulty door sensor. On the starter note, I have been testing my starting system because I'm having similar issues to the OP. So far, I have narrowed it down substantially. I replaced the starter (which is no easy task due to poor location) and it fixed nothing. I believe my issue is the starter solenoid activation wire. It is quite corroded inside and I can only get a little over 3 volts on the multimeter. Theoretically I should be getting over 12 volts. I am probably going to try replacing the last few inches of the wire and the connector today. If this isn't my issue, I might be at a loss and she may end up at the mechanic shop.
simular to my problem. Wife drives it so I havent done a lot of testing but the grounding issue seems to be the most likiest and eassier to do. Would hate to replace the starter and the problem is still there. thanks and if its the problem, one down and wait for "honey, its stll acting up. Just hate that. If its the ground part thanks and keep on trucking. if not will let you know what works,
