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2007 kia optima clicks but wont start

10K views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  Fr0sty  
#1 ·
Hello I have a 2007 kia optima EX..problem started about a year ago ..sometimes it started with no problems and sometimes it didnt want to start (but my lights always turned on) then i had to give it a jump start to start it..i thought it was the battery so i replaced it and it worked well for few days til it started doing it again it just clicks all lights turn on fine and not even a jump start will help anymore..can it be the starter?
 
#2 ·
Try switching out the start relay with another one on the control box, like the headlight or horn relay and see what happens for a few days, if the fault returns it may well be a faulty starter. BTW check the pwr cable on the starter is tight and the main earth connector on the body is also tight.
 
#4 ·
It could be the starter and usually by taking a hammer and if tapping it when it acts up the car starts you probably do have a bad starter...

Ground wires are another known problem...
Follow the negative lead from the battery to the body/frame of the car... Remove the bolt where it's connected there and clean (scrape/sand/wire brush) all surfaces... Add some silicon gel (available at most auto parts stores) and re-assemble...
Check all ground wires going to the engine block, transmission, frame...and clean them also...
Dave
 
#5 ·
I'll go with the starter. The carbon 'brushes' that conduct electricity to get worn down and sometimes tumble in their passageways in such a fashion as to lose contact with the commutator and the starter doesn't work. Tapping the starter with a broomstick or soft metal rod sometimes untumbles the brushes enough to allow the starter to become, at least temporarily, functional. Easy to replace if you have access to a lift and not real expensive if you have a good shop do the work. You can get credit for the old starter in many cases.