2017 Sportage - Oil in connector

361 Views 20 Replies 6 Participants Last post by VE3TMT, 20 h ago

VE3TMT

Discussion Starter · 8 d ago

Over the past week, my check engine light has come on. the car is not driving any different, no stalling, hesitation in idling or any other issues. Drives just fine. I checked the gas cap, was good, so I disconnected the negative battery terminal to reset. Was good for a few days, then came back on. While poking around for any loose connections, I disconnected the marked plug and found oil inside the connector. I wouldn't say it was swimming in it, but it was enough to soak into a paper towel. Why would there be oil inside this connection, and how is it even possible to get in there. I couldn't find anything in the manual as to what this is for.

Could this be the cause of the check engine light coming on?

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VE3TMT

Discussion Starter · #2 · 8 d ago

A closer shot of the connector in question

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It's a Kia

· #3 · 8 d ago

Is that cover to right oily? It look like from the pic.

VE3TMT

Discussion Starter · #4 · 8 d ago

It's a Kia said:
Is that cover to right oily? It look like from the pic.

I may have used the same piece of paper towel to wipe it off. But wasn't oily originally.

ESully

· #5 · 7 d ago

I would stop at a local auto parts store like Autozone that scans the car for free just to see what codes are stored.

VE3TMT

Discussion Starter · #6 · 7 d ago

ESully said:
I would stop at a local auto parts store like Autozone that scans the car for free just to see what codes are stored.

Forgot to mention, I'm in Ontario. No Autozone's up here.

Can anyone tell me what the connector in question is for?

karlh

· #7 · 7 d ago

That's the ECU connector. Oil inside it could certainly cause a Check Engine light.

VE3TMT

Discussion Starter · #8 · 7 d ago

Thanks for confirming. Any idea what would cause oil to get in there? Oil change was performed by local shop about a month prior.

karlh

· #9 · 7 d ago

The box to the left of the connector is the engine air filter. In your first picture you can see a couple of small hoses from the engine to the 90-degree elbow. If you're getting significant blow-by you could be getting oil on the air filter which then leaks to the connector. Check the air filter.

VE3TMT

Discussion Starter · #10 · 7 d ago

karlh said:
The box to the left of the connector is the engine air filter. In your first picture you can see a couple of small hoses from the engine to the 90-degree elbow. If you're getting significant blow-by you could be getting oil on the air filter which then leaks to the connector. Check the air filter.

Hi Karl,

I checked the air filter previously, it's clean. My oil level is good, but my oil pressure light has been flickering, which makes me think the oil pressure sensor is bad. I'm picking up a replacement tomorrow. I've read where oil can wick up through the harness to the ECU connector. Possibly my issue.

Max

VE3TMT

Discussion Starter · #11 · 5 d ago

Picked up the oil pressure sensor yesterday, planning on changing tomorrow.

Question...when I remove the old sensor, should I expect a flow of oil to come out? Just want to be prepared.

leo42.2875

· #12 · 5 d ago

Not unless the engine is running..

Reactions: 1

leo42.2875

· #13 · 5 d ago

Use some MAF cleaner and Shop air to clean any residual oil from connector (original complaint)

Reactions: 1

191145

· #14 · 3 d ago

Have you noticed any oil consumption?

191145

· #15 · 3 d ago

VE3TMT said:
Hi Karl,

I checked the air filter previously, it's clean. My oil level is good, but my oil pressure light has been flickering, which makes me think the oil pressure sensor is bad. I'm picking up a replacement tomorrow. I've read where oil can wick up through the harness to the ECU connector. Possibly my issue.

Max

BTW, that's an interesting diagnosis - let us know if it turns out to be correct, with oil migrating along the wiring harness from a leaking oil pressure switch.

VE3TMT

Discussion Starter · #16 · 3 d ago

That appeared to be the issue. Replaced the oil pressure sensor yesterday and gave the ECU connector a good cleaning. No more leaks and the connector was much cleaner this morning.

Reactions: 1

VE3TMT

Discussion Starter · #17 · 1 d ago

CEL still coming on. Unplugging and plugging the ECU harness back in turns off the CEL. The pins on the ECU connector itself look pretty clean, there is no more oil in the connector housing. I'm thinking oil may have gotten into the ECU through the connector on the ECU side causing the CEL light to come on.

The car itself is running fine, nice idle (new plugs went in on the weekend as well), no hesitation in acceleration or anything like that. Is it possible oil got into the ECU itself? Can it be cleaned?

leo42.2875

· #18 · 1 d ago

Have you confirmed the proper pin tension, loose connections will cause intermittent faults.

VE3TMT

Discussion Starter · #19 · 1 d ago

leo42.2875 said:
Have you confirmed the proper pin tension, loose connections will cause intermittent faults.

Have not. I would not expect a problem there as harness was always lifted straight off. Is this a known problem? Can the ECU be disassembled and cleaned?

ESully

· #20 · 20 h ago

You really should have the car scanned for codes to get some idea of what the problem is.

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