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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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[–] mvirts 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Check the grounding stud. The neg terminal of the battery probably is wired straight to it. On my kia soul the whole area was painted. Remove the bolt and connector, sand everything and put it back. May not solve your issue but can't hurt.

[–] 4lan 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Kia dealership checked it out and it was the engine, replacing it under the recall of theta II engines.
Very relieved to know I won't be paying a dime for this.

Also they gave me a 2023 Stinger as a loaner that is so damn fun to drive and so high tech. I joked at the counter saying "I get a stinger right?" and I think they assumed I had a stinger getting repaired and gave me the same for a loaner

They can take their sweet time with my Optima lol