Kia
Kia Maintenance Questions? Ask a Mechanic for Answers ASAP
Hello and welcome! I'm Billy and I will assist you with your inquiry. I understand that having car problems can be frustrating so please feel free to ask if any further info is needed. If you get prompted for a premium service or a phone call, please ignore that, cause I don't think it is needed at this point. My apologies for the delay, thank you for your patience. May I know your first name?
Hello Martin,
You need to open the bonnet, and listen there, while having someone try to start. If the click is in the engine compartment, somewhere low, it would be the starter. In which case, the starter solenoid would be faulty (not passing current to the starter motor), or the starter motor brushes are worn. In all cases, if that's what's happening, the starter motor will need to be overhauled or replaced.
That would be one of the relays clicking. And that is normal. Usually you wouldn't hear it because of the starter/engine noise. But given the conditions and symptoms, this does seem like a starter issue.
Yes, when the starter starts to fail (the solenoid mainly), it would show the symptoms mostly when hot.
You can, when you get the problem, and the starter isn't engaging, remove the starter relay, and use a small electrical wire between pins 30 and 87, where the relay usually sits. Once those two pins are connected, the starter should engage. If not, we know it's a starter issue.
Obviously, when we get to the starter, we check the connections, make sure there are tight and clean contacts, before condemning the starter.
The starter will engage, if it's not the problem. Just turn ignition on, and insert the wires. The starter should engage and the engine should start. If the starter doesn't engage, then it's a bad starter, or a bad connection to the starter.
Thank you for your trust. Cheers.