Kia won't shift gears correctly; o/d & check engine light on; squeel

[areese6]

Ok, I have a 2000 kia sephia. I have had it for almost 4 months. Recently, I had my alternator belt replaced. After that, my belts have always squeeled since then. I have yet to figure this one out. There was a small piece missing from my power steering tensioner. My driveaxles were bad, my brake pads, and I needed a new tire. Well, about 2 weeks ago, I drove my car one day and seemed to be starting to loose power going up hills or when I took off from a red light or stop sign. It seemed like it wasn't shifting gears correctly in low speeds. It wasn't all that bad, though. Well, that afternoon, my tire went flat & came off the rim and I left it sitting for 3 days. On the 3rd day, I jacked my car up, pulled the tire back on and blew it up. It did ok at first, but after a while, it started acting weird again. Shifting gears inccorrectly... loss of power going up hills, ect... it almost seemed like something wouldn't grab the next gear... like it wanted to, but just couldn't. So, I drove the car home and parked it for 4-5 days. Well yesturday the guy came and changed my driveaxles, brake pads, fuel filter, and added the tensioner parts. Well, my belt (or whatever it is) is still squeeling.... LOUD!!!!! I'm not clicking anymore and my brake pads are fine. When we tried cranking the car up after the reapirs, it took a LONG time!! He said it seemed like the gas wasn't flowing through the new filter quick enough. Also, my old battery needed a jump-off cause I accidently left my ignition on the whole time he was working. So, it crunk up, we drove it a second and it seemed fine. Later that night, I took off wide open... once I got onto the highway and needed to go from 35 miles an hour to 55, my car wouldn't pick up and go!! It like it was grabbing the next gear, it would rev up a little, but not alot, and continue going like 40 miles an hour. It kept doing this til I hit the gas station and filled up. When I left there, it wouldn't go over 20 miles an hour. My car would go, just not over 20.... my car sounded as if it were going in the next gear, and picking up speed, but really it just stayed at 20 miles an hour. Oh, and when I started up a hill, it would just slow down.... to a mere crawl... I would barely make it over. I made it to my boyfriend's parents and parked the car. I haven't had it tested cause I didn't make it into town... does anyone know what is going on with my car?? Oh yes, and right before I parked it, my check engine light and o/d lights started flashing. There is no smell or smoke or nothing....

[areese6]

Ok, someone told me today that this problem was my catalytic converter... does this sound right to anyone?? I would greatly appreciate some help. I am having no luck with my mechanic and I cannot afford to take it to anyone else.

[06GTOwner]

Hmm, could be- But honestly, with todays computer controlled cars it could be any one of 100 things. Seriously. If I were you, I would limp it over to an AutoZone, Checker, NAPA or Advanced Auto Parts store (not sure what you have in your area) and they will pull the trouble code from your car's computer for FREE. They can usually look up the code and narrow it down to the problem at hand. Again, for free. This will help steer you in the right direction.

[Juggalotus]

I do not think that it would be the Cat... I had almost the same problem when my tranny comepletely dropped on me. As far as the squeal goes, have you had anyone check to see if any of the pulleys are locking up? If they are, that would explain your squeal.

[ritchie1973]

I have a 2000 KIA sephia. I had the same problem with my car. I took it to the dealer and they told me it was a problem with my transmission and I need a new exaust system. 1,100. for a new exaust system and 1,300. for a transmission. I told them that I didn't think so! When they took off the exaust manifold a chunk of coal fell out of it. On my was to the repair shop my car would only go about 40-45 mph. I was able to 75-80 on the way home. It gave a transmission code becuase the poor car could not get enough speed to shift out. The od off light blinked and the check engine light was on. I replaced the 3 converters on the car. My transmission couldn't be to bad because that was 80 thousand miles ago. Total miles 200300 miles. Dont get riped off by KIA repair shops. I took less than 500 dollars for the 3 converters back in 2004. Hope this helps someone.

[bubbashrimp]

I also would suspect the cat. I once had a car that would not go over 50MPH until we bypassed the cat with a test tube. I don't think you can purchase a cat test tube any longer, but you could just unhook it and take it for a short run to see how it performs.

As far as the squeeling goes, I agree with Juggalotus. I went through two belts on one of my cars before I discovered that the tesioner was froze up.

[randimorris]

I'm having a very similar problem with my 2000 sephia and was told that it was the cat. converter also.

[jcwit]

Had a Dodge mine van with the V-6 (don't remember what size) that didn't have any power, and would make a weird noise when flooring the excellerator. Put on a new cat. and it ran like a champ, ended up driving it till 280,000 miles.