Why isn't my Kia starting up?
Asked by Daaani Apr 26, 2016 at 08:01 PM about the 2004 Kia Spectra LS
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
I have a Kia Spectra 2004 1.8 4 cylinder .
I was using it and then parked it and then never
touched it for 3 to 4 years .
I have replaced the battery with brand-new one
fully charged , replace the spark plugs tested each
spark plug and each spark buck cable ( they work )
I have put in a little under half a tank of fresh gas
but the car won't start .
Even though battery was new I tried with jumper
chords attached to othe car.
The engine just doesn't sound as if it's starting ,
but it never does that one chug that actually Sparks
it up.
I have not checked the fuel injectors and I would
like to get this car running without taking it to a
without taking it to a mechanic shop.
Thank you in advance
5 Answers
Thank you very much for the thorough message.. I will take all of the items you listed one by one . Starting with the fuel system / fuel pump ... Which I have to now flush.... It is under the back seat correct ? And once I have it in my hands how do i actually flush it if car won't start...
The injectors - how do I get to them to take them out ? Fuel filter - is that under the backseat , with the fuel pump ? System lines - is that all the hoses and pipes connecting to the engine? Is the Techron also something should be done on a sort of regular basis as part of maintenance and good care of one's car? Last night I pumped a little pressure back into the fuel line going back wards toward the gas tank and for the first time it actually sort of started , but chuggingly and eventually died out ... Is that maybe. Does that tell you anything?
You are so awesome ! Thank you very much for all the help... I went to Pep Boys and had to order the fuel filter but regarding the Chemtool they only have the bottle with the liquid in it and there is no way I can just ...pour it down. Is there some sort of a hose system with pressure that I can attach to the bottle with one end and the other end would snap on or attach so I can blow the Chemtool towards the gas pump and then towards the gas filter and towards the fuel regulator? Or can I use 'K&W Carburetor and Choke Cleaner' (which actually is spray and has one of those tiny little plastic tubes like u see on the compressed air cans)? Ok never mind --- I just saw last can of SPRAY Chemtool YES!! On to the cleaning! Also I checked some websites and some or saying the fuel filter is under the car towards the back near the gas tank. Do u know if maybe it is? And the one u saw being under the hood may have been a different year or the 2.0? I just want to go in all prepared! And also first I disconnect the battery right? Any other preparation / safety tip before I do it?
I didn't see a picture at all ... Il try checking on a computer vs phone...
Success! I finally got a round to put in the new gas filter ($15) and the new gas pump ($103) cleaned up the hoses with Chemtool while doing it, got a bottle of Techron in the tank - the car works like a champ !! Once again - you are a rockstar - thank you! Now on to doing the brakes, the bumper, the hood and the doors.
