[Chainblade]

man it's like we can't win. we get a newer car so we hopefully didn't have to deal with these problems. anyways, so my g/f's car is having a problem. it's a 2007 Kia Optima with 31,000 miles on it. Just recently, the check engine light will come on and the car will have no power at all. it will creep "up to" like 5mph. Sometimes it will fix itself. Other times, the car has to be turned off and back on before it will work again. We're taking it to the Kia dealership for it's 30k tune-up anyways but was just curious on what you guys thought it was. hopefully it's a cheap fix or covered under the Kia warranty. by the way, to keep the warranty valid, you have to take it to a kia dealership for tune-ups right?

[bigwill51534]

Problems such as that generally mean the car is going into a "safe" mode due to some unexpected response from a sensor. Usually from the knock sensor, or from VERY obscure readings from an O2 sensor. The motors go into this mode to help prevent severe damage to the motor. Just have the dealership scan the computer when you take it in. Shouldn't be too tough of a fix, unless there is some sort of mechanical damage tripping the knock sensor.

If you want a quicker answer, drop by Auto Zone or Advance Auto Parts. They will scan your computer for free.

~Will Courtier~

[Chainblade]

Originally Posted by bigwill51534

Problems such as that generally mean the car is going into a "safe" mode due to some unexpected response from a sensor. Usually from the knock sensor, or from VERY obscure readings from an O2 sensor. The motors go into this mode to help prevent severe damage to the motor. Just have the dealership scan the computer when you take it in. Shouldn't be too tough of a fix, unless there is some sort of mechanical damage tripping the knock sensor.

If you want a quicker answer, drop by Auto Zone or Advance Auto Parts. They will scan your computer for free.

~Will Courtier~

nice, thanks. I will do that

[bigwill51534]

No problem at all. I had a similar problem with my GTO once... Sprayed up over the rev limiter. Confused the computer, shut down to safe mode. I thought I blew the motor! Wound up pulling the negative battery terminal for ~15 mins, cleared the condition, and it's been find ever since!

~Will Courtier~

[Chris]

Doesn't Kia have the 10yr/100k mile warranty? Get that shit fixed for free.

[Chainblade]

Originally Posted by Chris

Doesn't Kia have the 10yr/100k mile warranty? Get that shit fixed for free.

ya it does. we're taking it for the 30k tune-up there anyways. I was just curious what you guys thought it was.

[sims]

Originally Posted by bigwill51534

Problems such as that generally mean the car is going into a "safe" mode due to some unexpected response from a sensor. Usually from the knock sensor, or from VERY obscure readings from an O2 sensor. The motors go into this mode to help prevent severe damage to the motor. Just have the dealership scan the computer when you take it in. Shouldn't be too tough of a fix, unless there is some sort of mechanical damage tripping the knock sensor.

If you want a quicker answer, drop by Auto Zone or Advance Auto Parts. They will scan your computer for free.

~Will Courtier~

good post

You can also buy a scanner that plugs into a port in your engine bay and will tell you what the issue is via a code number that you look up in a book. Since your car is still on warrenty I wouldn't bother as Kia will do it for free and whatever the issue is needs to be adressed anyways, but its a ncie thing to have if you have a newer car thats off warrenty.

Older cars are a little more ghetto, my car and truck are ODB1 so I need to use a connect some terminals in a diagnostic port with a paper clip and then my check engine light flashes sequences which I count and figure out what code it is from that :P

[fornik8her]

I know that not having the gas cap on correctly can sometimes cause the check engine light to come on. My son had this happen to him and was freaking out till I told him to check that first.

[mistawiskas]

O2 sensor....you're burning way too rich. The thing is: What's causing the sensor to mess up with it's readings? Vac leak?, manifold leak? faulty sensor? faulty wiring?

[nidex]

Ahaha, sorry, but only a Kia would already be throwing codes and fucking up even though it's brand new. I would much rather buy a better quality used car than a brand new Kia if that's what my choice was.

I would have posted something useful too, but everybody else already covered it.

[Chainblade]

Originally Posted by fornik8her

I know that not having the gas cap on correctly can sometimes cause the check engine light to come on. My son had this happen to him and was freaking out till I told him to check that first.

i've had that happen too but it's not just the engine light coming on. the car loses all it's power at the same time so it can't be that.

Originally Posted by nidex

Ahaha, sorry, but only a Kia would already be throwing codes and fucking up even though it's brand new. I would much rather buy a better quality used car than a brand new Kia if that's what my choice was.

I would have posted something useful too, but everybody else already covered it.

well we really didn't have a choice. and it was bought used with like 25k miles on it. because of how bad my credit was, they only would give me a loan if I get a newer car the lower miles and still had a warranty. that was the only car we could afford on the lot.

it's up for it's 30k check up as well. do you guys know if this HAS to be done at a kia dealer to keep the warranty? they said it STARTS at $429. that's ridiculous for what they do on the 30k tuneup.

[MSP]

When I was working on that project in Austin last year one guy on my team drove an older Sophia all the way from Cincinnati. By the time he got there it was sputtering and stalling. He didn't seem too concerned, and instead showed me all of the blue LEDs he had installed in the interior so it would look cool.

30k tuneup for $429?!? That is fucking ridiculous. Even most Fords now don't require one until 100k. I'd raise some hell.

[Chainblade]

Originally Posted by MSP

30k tuneup for $429?!? That is fucking ridiculous. Even most Fords now don't require one until 100k. I'd raise some hell.

ya and they said STARTING at $429. that's so insane for what they do. i could understand like a 100k maybe but geez $429 for a 30k is crazy. i'm a little pissed off about it. i'm hoping that i can just have it done through someone else and it won't void the warranty...

[MSP]

As long as the work gets done and you have receipts, I don't think they can say shit. There are certifications and such that mechanics have to have, it's like A+ with wrenches.

Nidex should be able to answer this definitively though, you should PM him if he doesn't post.

[bigwill51534]

OK, you can not have any of the work done outside of the dealership and still retain your warranty. Well, that is unless they are certified through the Kia corporation. I know, as my dad runs his on auto mechanic shop. He has his ASC certification, NAPA certification, and has attended hundreds of schools totaling well over $50,000 in total cost). It should be stated in your auto contract you got when you purchased the car (or on the invoice) what the stipulations are for the warranty.

My own recommendation is to run into Auto Zone or Advance and get a computer diagnostics check. I mean, it's free. You should not need any other work done to your car. They are selling you a bunch of bullshit you do not need at all (transmission flush, refrigerant refill even if not needed, power steering flush, etc...). That shit is not required. Trust me, my cousin used to work as a parts manager at a Ford dealership. It's not worth the trouble. Unless it will void your warranty to not have it done, I wouldn't even consider getting it done. Give them a call and bitch to them about the price. Ask for a complete list of what is done. I will gladly explain everything to you, and whether or not you need it. If they are doing unreasonable stuff, I will tell you what to not have done. You should be able to not give them permission to perform certain parts of the check, which will save you money in the long run. Just have them give you a list and toss 'em up here. Or else drop me a PM. I used to do this shit for a living, so I know where the hoaxes lie. I used to tell people who came to me wanting these useless things that they didn't need it. Believe it or not, never had a problem making money, either. Being honest will make you a lot more money than being deceitful and overcharging. It's all about trust, and keeping their business for the future.

~Will Courtier~

[nidex]

Hahaha I would have told them to fuck themselves. You should get a list of everything they had done. Guaranteed it's about 50 bucks in parts, if that, and a bunch of stupid "inspections" that are really just dealerships excuses to get you to spend some money, and could do yourself if you really wanted to.

About the warranty deal.. it probably depends on the dealer, back in the day when I had a car with a warranty, they knew I worked on it and they never said anything. Plus, you can [have a shop] use their OEM shit and they'd never know that anybody touched it.

[Chainblade]

ha so I was reading about the warranty. it says that work can't be done by anybody but kia. and you HAVE to follow their maintenance schedule. if you don't, you void your warranty. and you have to have the receipts and everything. well, we bought the car used with 25k miles on it and don't have any maintenance records. so i guess it's already invalid. you should see the maintenance they say needs to done. like every 3k miles, it has some sort of maintenance they say you have to do. ridiculous. oh and that 30k "tuneup" is literally like 50 inspections and replaces 2 cheap parts. laughable for starting at $429. anyways, needless to say, i won't be doing that tune up there at all.

[Juballharshaw]

The warranty would have been void as well since most manufacturers don't transfer the 100k warranty to second owners.