A/T - Intermittent No Start in 'P' or 'N'/Failsafe Mode

SOURCE: Kia Technician Times

TITLE: A/T Inhibitor Switch

APPLIES TO: 95-00 Sephia

SERVICE TIP:

CONDITION

Some 1995 thru 2000 Sephia Automatic Transmission equipped vehicles may exhibit the following inhibitor switch concerns:
- The vehicle may not start intermittently in park or neutral.
- The vehicle TCU may intermittently lose the gear position signal from the inhibitor switch and go into failsafe mode (third gear). If the inhibitor switch signal returns while driving, the TCU will return to normal transmission control. The vehicle will then upshift or downshift abruptly depending on vehicle speed.
- The TCU will set a pending OBDII code and then after two key cycles, the MIL light will come on and the O/D light will flash.

CAUSE

Corrosion/dirt on the inhibitor switch connector terminals or internal contacts.

CORRECTIVE ACTION






Replace the inhibitor switch with P/N KFW35-21-444 and carefully adjust per procedures in the applicable service manual.
Note: The 1998-2000 Sephia Service Manual has an error on page 42-104 inhibitor switch inspection/adjustment. The connector terminal chart should show terminals 5 and 7 having continuity in neutral. The correct inhibitor switch terminal locations are shown below.