Starting System - Intermittent No Start

SOURCE: Kia Technician Times

TITLE: Intermittent No Start

APPLIES TO: 98 Sephia

SERVICE TIP:

CONDITION

Some 1998 Sephia models may intermittently experience a condition where the starter motor fails to operate and/or blows the 15 amp START fuse. This condition is usually worse when the outside air temperature is high.

CAUSE

This condition is caused by excessive resistance in the starter solenoid circuit due to marginal wire sizing of the starter solenoid wire. This causes the current to the starter solenoid pull-in winding to be too low for the starter solenoid to fully engage. When the key is held in the START position for an extended period of time, the 15 amp START fuse will blow.

CORRECTIVE ACTION

Beginning with 4/27/98 production, the starter solenoid circuit wire size was increased to eliminate the high resistance condition.
Vehicles produced prior to the production change that experience an intermittent no start condition or blowing the 15 amp START fuse should install a relay kit in the engine compartment fuse/relay box. The relay kit (P/N US980 67 KIT) is available, installation procedures are included with the kit.