As I read around, the steering has always been not very tight. I read that it was done that way because it is an off road car, and going off road a not very tight steering is more comfortable. I bought my Sportage brand new, but I didn't notice these things at that time, so I cannot be sure it is correct, but that is my opinion too.

 

1) Which code is it throwing? There are situations where an O2 sensor code can be caused by something other than the sensor. 2) O2 sensors are ignored by the ECU until the engine reaches operating temp, and for the first several seconds after start if the engine is already warm, so it is impossible for the O2 sensor to effect starting. This points to a separate issue. 3) These are not necessarily economic rigs to begine with, but you should get at least 20 mpg at worst.

Given these first three problems, I would recommend gaining use of a live data scanner and check not just the O2 sensor readings, but also the Coolant Temp Sensor. The CTS can cause everything you described here. So can a partially obstructed exhaust.

Also make sure to check the basics. The fuel filter can be a bear to change, but you may want to get that done. Make sure the air filter is clean. Clean the MAF and throttle plates too.

I check steering by sticking my head under the front end and having someone wiggle the steering wheel back and forth (without the engine running). You will be able to see movement in all the links if they are worn. Check the pivot on the idler arm, seems like that's generally the first thing to go.

 

Hi..not sure which code number...but my wife took it to autozone and they said o2 sensor bank1 or something. As far as the starting I guess I put o2 but that's not what I meant, I didn't know if it could be the IAC valve or something.

I don't think there's an obstruction because like I said the mufflers loud but I can't find any leaks so maybe someone hollowed out the muffler too? I don't know.

Can I clean the maf and iac with choke and throttle cleaner?

Also not going to do it yet, but I want to put keyless entry in, should I just be able to wire it up and good to go or will I need actuators/solenoids or are they already there?

Thanks

 

There is a special cleaner for MAFs that you'll want to use. Don't use anything else, other cleaners can cause damage. But you can use throttle plate cleaner on the IAC. Don't forget to clean both throttle plates.

Power door locks are standard equipment so the solenoids are already there.

Remember when having codes read at an auto parts store, the counter people are not mechanics. They know how to read a code and assume a problem. There was a lady in my shop here recently who was driving down the freeway when the temp gauge went up and check engine light came on. She drove straight to O'Reillys where they read a misfire code, so they sold her a thermostat (without a new gasket) and set of (the wrong) spark plugs. She brought them to me for installation, but after only a couple minutes of looking I realized the problem was actually that the water pump was going out, leaking a majority of the coolant, so the engine overheated and warped the head, causing a misfire.

 

Ouch about the warped head but like you said most of them are not mechanics. On a side note water pump went on my Saturn and drove 20 mins home with the temp gauge pegged. Put new pump and refilled with antifreeze. Ran good for months till the oil got too low one day and the motor blew.


Anyhow I can check the window off my list, it wasn't easy tho. The part came today and I thought it would be slap it in good to go. Never that easy, turned out it wasn't exactly right. The piece that rides on the track and bolts to window was wrong and the electrical connector was also wrong. I took the piece off the old track and put it on the new one and spliced spade connectors on the end of the wire. Works great now...

This is the second time I tried to get a part and it was technically the wrong part. I guess it's because it's the in betweener year. Maybe I should start looking for parts off of 95 and 96's. I dont know.