Hello, I am seeking guidance in the appropriate way.
The issue is extensive.
My Kia Sportage now has difficulty with hot starts; it starts without issue while cold, but requires a wait of around 10 minutes after running before it can be restarted. During attempts to initiate a hot start, there is no cranking action. Upon starting the vehicle and driving for no more than thirty minutes, it operates flawlessly, exhibiting no unusual noises, power deficiencies, or electrical malfunctions; the engine temperature reaches the optimal level without overheating.
After replacing the EGR valve, the automobile operated for 30 seconds before stalling.
I saw that it was not receiving gasoline, so I replaced the primary Kia relay, which controls the fuel pump, since my relay tester indicated that this relay was defective, with a non-Kia relay (the tester confirmed it was functional). However, there was still no success, and this inadvertently activated the immobilizer for some reason.
The vehicle was taken to Kia in Christchurch to address the immobiliser issue. They replaced the EMS box due to a lack of power output, which resolved the immobiliser problem; however, the car remained non-operational due to insufficient fuel delivery. Consequently, a new low-pressure fuel pump was installed, enabling the car to start, albeit intermittently. Subsequently, a new starter motor was installed, yet there was no improvement.
Kia suspected an electrical malfunction, so they connected the starter motor and alternator by bypassing the main wiring harness directly to a new battery installed in my car for testing. Despite this, the vehicle continued to only start when cold, and they also replaced the ground connections.
Kia declined to perform further work, as the vehicle was classified as a breakdown and was contributing to their backlog. Consequently, I retrieved the car. Their recommendation indicated a short circuit in the main positive terminal wiring harness; however, rather than investing extensive time in testing, I opted to install a new wiring harness, which ultimately did not resolve the issue.
I have observed that the vehicle is currently losing coolant, and I continue to experience the cold start issue. There are no apparent signs of leakage, except for moisture accumulating at the rear of the engine beneath one of the supporting brackets situated directly below the manifold, which occasionally drips onto the floor. However, this does not occur at a rate commensurate with the coolant loss. Furthermore, it appears dry in all areas above this point, and I am unable to detect any residue, although visibility is somewhat limited.
I suspected the head gasket; however, there is no white smoke emanating from the exhaust, the oil appears normal (not emulsified), and the level is acceptable, albeit slightly elevated. It was serviced in December, and it seems they have marginally overfilled it, but not to a degree that would induce issues.
Does anybody have any insight about what it may be? I hypothesize that a leak in the EGR cooler is causing the coolant temperature sensor to fail, hence preventing me from hot starting the vehicle; nevertheless, I am otherwise perplexed.
I completed the automobile payment in September and decided to invest in new tires, a service, new brakes, and an EGR valve, since it was deteriorating. My intention was to maintain the vehicle for a few more years before acquiring a new one; however, the expenses are now exceeding the previous payments.
The issue is extensive.
My Kia Sportage now has difficulty with hot starts; it starts without issue while cold, but requires a wait of around 10 minutes after running before it can be restarted. During attempts to initiate a hot start, there is no cranking action. Upon starting the vehicle and driving for no more than thirty minutes, it operates flawlessly, exhibiting no unusual noises, power deficiencies, or electrical malfunctions; the engine temperature reaches the optimal level without overheating.
After replacing the EGR valve, the automobile operated for 30 seconds before stalling.
I saw that it was not receiving gasoline, so I replaced the primary Kia relay, which controls the fuel pump, since my relay tester indicated that this relay was defective, with a non-Kia relay (the tester confirmed it was functional). However, there was still no success, and this inadvertently activated the immobilizer for some reason.
The vehicle was taken to Kia in Christchurch to address the immobiliser issue. They replaced the EMS box due to a lack of power output, which resolved the immobiliser problem; however, the car remained non-operational due to insufficient fuel delivery. Consequently, a new low-pressure fuel pump was installed, enabling the car to start, albeit intermittently. Subsequently, a new starter motor was installed, yet there was no improvement.
Kia suspected an electrical malfunction, so they connected the starter motor and alternator by bypassing the main wiring harness directly to a new battery installed in my car for testing. Despite this, the vehicle continued to only start when cold, and they also replaced the ground connections.
Kia declined to perform further work, as the vehicle was classified as a breakdown and was contributing to their backlog. Consequently, I retrieved the car. Their recommendation indicated a short circuit in the main positive terminal wiring harness; however, rather than investing extensive time in testing, I opted to install a new wiring harness, which ultimately did not resolve the issue.
I have observed that the vehicle is currently losing coolant, and I continue to experience the cold start issue. There are no apparent signs of leakage, except for moisture accumulating at the rear of the engine beneath one of the supporting brackets situated directly below the manifold, which occasionally drips onto the floor. However, this does not occur at a rate commensurate with the coolant loss. Furthermore, it appears dry in all areas above this point, and I am unable to detect any residue, although visibility is somewhat limited.
I suspected the head gasket; however, there is no white smoke emanating from the exhaust, the oil appears normal (not emulsified), and the level is acceptable, albeit slightly elevated. It was serviced in December, and it seems they have marginally overfilled it, but not to a degree that would induce issues.
Does anybody have any insight about what it may be? I hypothesize that a leak in the EGR cooler is causing the coolant temperature sensor to fail, hence preventing me from hot starting the vehicle; nevertheless, I am otherwise perplexed.
I completed the automobile payment in September and decided to invest in new tires, a service, new brakes, and an EGR valve, since it was deteriorating. My intention was to maintain the vehicle for a few more years before acquiring a new one; however, the expenses are now exceeding the previous payments.
