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Kia Optima Stopped Running while Driving (self.mechanicadvice)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by 4lan to c/mechanicadvice

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Here are the details:

2015 Kia Optima automatic 75k miles

I was driving today and my car turned off out of the blue. A bunch of lights came on in the instrument cluster and I was able to coast to a safe spot.

When trying to start the car there is a very short sound indicating it is trying to turn over, but maybe 1 second of this then silence. No clicking or whiring.

My friend came and tried to jump start my car. Before attaching jumper cables I checked my battery voltage and it was 12.4V. After 15 minutes of charging my car would still not start. Even with the jumpers still attached from his battery.

I went to AutoZone and borrowed their code reader, but it came up with 0 codes.

I checked every fuse and they all appear fine.

My thoughts are it could be the ignition coils or starter, but wanted to get another opinion before swapping things out.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

Edit: it turned out to be the engine has seized and it is being replaced for free under the recall. Got a 2023 Stinger as a loaner and very happy with how this turned out. Such a relief. I am considering selling my Optima and going Subaru or Toyota.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Correct, it would not have just stopped driving from a bad starter. The starter is not used at all while in motion. Even if you have automatic stop/start which is only used at stoplights. I don't know why they're investigating that first when it's not relevant to your symptoms, unless it's a corporate level requirement to do some level of "diagnosis" before going straight to long-block replacement. (Warranty TSB's do have certain requirements that have to be verified before a warranty R&R can be approved.)

It's super easy to verify an engine lockup- you just put a breaker bar on the crank pulley bolt and turn the engine, it should move relatively easily. Without having to R&R the starter, something they might try to make you pay dor out of warranty. But dealership first-line techs are not often the brightest.

[–] 4lan 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

They say they were able to turn it over, so either they are lying or the first shop is lying. This is why I never trust auto shops. I always feel like I being jerked around and overcharged.

I just hope I can have my car back by Monday so I don't miss more work. They wont even give me a loaner until its verified as a warranty repair by Kia.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Yeah. Such is the problem of needing work done when you are illiterate in the subject. It's a problem that always leaves you vulnerable.

I just read your OP edit. Glad it was covered. I'd probably hold onto it for another year to break in, since the new engine will come with its own dedicated warranty, then sell it once the market can accept that the new engine isn't going to fail prematurely.
But absolutely, jump ship to a Toyota. I can't recommend Subaru these days unfortunately, but Honda is still good too.