2006 Sedona random starting

Fjack · 07-23-2008, 11:06 PM

Hi folks, new here and hoping(sorry) someone has had this problem.

For about 4 months the Van(Kia sedona luxury) has been having issues on and off starting. We put they key in the ignition(either of the two keys, does not matter) and turn over the car (starter turns over and plenty of power) but the car may or may not start. It is very random and if it happens it appears to happen(not start for a period of time 5 mins to hours) a few times then goes away for a day or week. We have had it to the dealer twice and they say nothing can be done until an error code comes up.

Today I thought great it will not start period only to have it towed and behold started right up with no error.

Hoping someone can help or has seen or heard of this before. I have read many posts and seems to be similar issues but did not find any solutions.

I should also say that once the car starts it has no issues until we turn it off and cross our fingers that it will start again.

Fjack · 07-24-2008, 02:15 PM

Took car to dealer and it finally happened when they tried to start it so they hooked it up to the computer but Kia computer could not talk to my van but they said they received a immobilizer code error first. They spoke to some other tech kia peson on the phone and he said this is becoming a known issue and the keys need to be replaced. I find it strange that both keys go at once but fingers crossed. Strange that the starter still cranks if the immobilizer is active would think nothing should work but I do not know how it works.

Any thoughts would be APPRECIATED!

Classic boy · 07-25-2008, 11:02 PM

When it happens take note of what the immob lamp on the dash is doing it will be useful to determine if the immob is preventing ignition.
When the immob is active the engine can still crank over

Fjack · 07-28-2008, 08:48 PM

Thanks for the reply, dealer belives it is the keys ie Immob but have not heard if the problem is fixed yet. In Canada the Sedona does not have a immob indicator on the dash like other countries or mine simply has never had one,

Fjack · 07-29-2008, 04:37 PM

Well dealer has replaced and reprogrammed the keys and still cannot get it to start.

Dealer is waiting for Kia to tell them what to try next and I suggested the receiver ring around the key cylinder but they said they cannot just toss parts at it. Ofcourse leaving my family stranded with no car is ok thou.

family six · 10-07-2008, 07:42 AM

Hi there,

Yep had this problem on our Sedona Executive too. However, after spending a heck of a lot of money replacing many thought to be problem parts, it is now sorted!

First the starter motor was replaced - no change.
Second the battery was replaced - no change.
Third the ignition switch was replaced - no change.

Following a full day with an AUTO ELECTRICIAN it was sorted. This is what happened....

All new parts were checked for fault - all okay.
Ignition switch found to be causing resistance and signs of electrical overload had worn the terminals. By pass of ignition switch direct path to starter motor proved 100% starting every time.
There did not appear to be a starter relay fitted anywhere, which was part of the cause for no start. Fitted a starter relay, replaced worn (new) ignition switch and cleaned up fuse box burnt terminals (due to not having starter relay).

Car now starts every turn of the key, first time, every time.

Cause: No starter relay fitted in car - caused higher voltage to prematurely wear ignition switch terminals, burnt contacts of fuse box which resulted in intermittent starting.

Was not: starter motor, immobiliser, ignition switch, keys. Simpley down to no presence of a simple starter relay!!!! a few pence bit of kit - caused hundreds of pounds in failed diagnostics!!!!!!!!!!

I hope this helps?

04SorentoLX · 10-07-2008, 01:02 PM

Did you tell KIA this. Or was the eletrionics tech a KIA tech. If no one tells them they can not make and offer a retro fix splice in relay to solve it all simply.

woodentop1 · 10-12-2008, 05:46 PM

I had a problem with starting the engine, sometimes it was like there was a flat battery and the next moment it was fine. eventualy i had new battery fitted, this seemed to do the job but the day after it would not start again.
Ended up crawling underneath finding the starter motor at the middle rear of the engine and cleaned the cable connections , also found the nut securing the cable was not tightened properly. This was 3 months ago and have not had any further problems