A dead battery, an alternator issue, or a bad starter are the three most frequent causes of a Kia Soul not starting.
In This Article...
Why won’t my car start even though it has power?
When a new engine won’t start, the battery is typically at blame. However, a dead battery and an alternator are mostly out of the question if the car is still getting electricity. Some batteries might ship from the factory with a lower charge retention capacity. This is a manufacturing flaw, and the warranty allows for a replacement.
However, it is simple to believe that the battery is in perfect condition if a car won’t start but still has power. It can be very deceiving, especially if the lights, horn, and other electrical components work properly. This is because not all peripherals use the same amount of energy.
To start the engine, however, the starter motor requires a lot of power. It’s possible that a battery nearing the end of its useful life won’t be able to power the starter motor sufficiently. Additionally, some electronic ignition systems start out by using a lot of energy. But since they draw less power from the battery, accessories like lights, horns, and radio systems might function.
Everyone may become confused at this point. So, grab your multimeter and check the battery terminals if your car won’t start but has power. It should ideally read 12 volts with the engine off, if not extremely near to it. The battery is on the verge of dying if not.
Start the car, switch on most of the accessories, and read it once more. When you press the accelerator, the voltage shouldn’t drop; instead, it should rise to 13.5 to 14 volts. If this doesn’t happen, there might be a problem with the alternator. When a car won’t start yet has power, this is the most typical problem.
Why won’t the key on my Kia Soul turn?
The most frequent causes of a Kia Soul key not turning include a stuck ignition switch, a binding steering column or lock, or an issue with the ignition key. To speak with a specialist about your problem, look through our network of RepairPal Certified stores close you.
How can I get my Kia Soul going?
Sometimes it seems impossible to learn how to use all of a car’s functions. Want to start your Kia Soul remotely but don’t know how to accomplish it? We did some research and have the solution for you right here. Let’s investigate this.
It won’t be that challenging to remote start a Kia Soul. To begin:
- On the key fob for your Soul, press the door lock button.
- On the side of your key fob, look for the remote start button.
- When you push and hold the remote start button after locking your doors for four seconds, your car will start.
One thing to keep in mind is that the light will switch off automatically after ten minutes if you don’t open your car or start driving. In order to use its remote start capability, bear that in mind.
As we get started, we’ll talk about the many features that come with your car and cover everything there is to know about Kia Souls. We’re here to help, whether you’re new to the brand or have been yearning to upgrade. Having said that, let’s jump straight into this subject!
What symptoms indicate a bad starter in a Kia Soul?
A clicking sound made when the automobile is started is one of the most typical symptoms of a defective starter. Additionally, when the starter fails, it will create a grinding sound. You may either test your starter yourself with a circuit tester or get it checked out by an automobile retailer.
My car won’t start, but the battery is fine. Why?
Your starter may be the issue if the battery appears to be in good condition. A starter is a little motor that uses battery power to pull current in order to start an engine. When you turn the key in the ignition, you can hear a clicking sound if the starter fails or malfunctions. In some cases, loose connections are the issue, while in others, a new starter may be required. There is no assurance that jumping a car will fix starter issues.
Can’t start, but lights are functional?
There are various systems that must operate for the car to start. The battery, starter, battery cable, ignition switch, or fuel pump are the most typical no-start culprits. Any one of these could occasionally act up and be a problem. The fact that you were successful in shaking the battery wires suggests that one of the cables may be faulty. A skilled mechanic, like one from YourMechanic, will be able to identify your starting problem and make any necessary repairs.
How much does a Kia Soul starter cost?
A Kia Soul starter replacement typically costs between $431 and $467. While parts are priced between $296 and $298, labor costs are predicted to be between $135 and $170.
How does a Kia start up?
You are prepared to start your journey if you have the car’s key fob in your pocket or handbag. Observe these easy steps to start the engine:
- Verify that the gears are in neutral (N) or park (P) (N). Put your foot on the brakes. To get the engine to start, press the Engine Start/Stop button.
It’s equally simple to turn the engine. Press the Engine Start/Stop button once more after putting the car in park or neutral.
How can you identify if the problem is with your starter or battery?
Let’s start by diagnosing this problem since it is the least expensive and easiest to replace. Does the car make a clicking noise when you try to start it, but it won’t turn over? That might be encouraging. A dead battery is likely the culprit if a jump starts the car but it won’t start once it is turned off.
Why did my car battery die?
Consider checking to see if you may have left the vehicle’s interior or exterior lights on or if a door may not have closed all the way. We’re confident you already did this as soon as the problem began. Open the hood and inspect the battery terminals if the problem wasn’t caused by the lights. You may only need to give the terminals a brief clean with a toothbrush and some baking soda solution if you notice corrosion (a white powder-like substance) there. Still not an issue? Think about the battery’s age. The average automobile battery lasts 4-5 years. Have your problem diagnosed as soon as possible if your battery is less than four years old and has no other problems. If the problem is with the battery, you might be covered by a warranty and be able to get a replacement. If the diagnosis reveals that your battery is in good condition, the problem may be with the alternator.
The next step is to inspect the alternator if there doesn’t appear to be anything wrong with your battery yet it won’t maintain a charge.
How can you identify if the issue is with the ignition switch or starter?
Examine the starter. It is located underneath the hood, typically on the passenger side, right close to the transmission at the bottom of the engine. The ignition switch, which often sits on the steering column, is a group of electrical contacts that turns on the starter.
Something sounds off.
When you turn the key or press the start button, there may be a clicking sound, which is one of the signs of a defective starter. However, a starting can stop working altogether or make noises that signal its approaching demise, such as buzzing and grinding. Oh, listen!
You’ve got lights but no action.
You may have a problem with the starter if you try to start the engine and the dashboard illuminates but nothing happens to the engine.
Your engine won’t crank.
Even after attempting a jumpstart, does your engine still not start? At this point, you should dial a towing service and drive your vehicle to the closest Firestone Complete Auto Care. Nothing else than a qualified technician will start your engine if a jumpstart doesn’t work.
Smoke is coming from your car.
The starter is a component of your car’s electrical system and is vulnerable to short circuits and blown fuses. Your car’s starter may overheat if you’ve been trying to start it for a long time, which increases the likelihood of electrical problems and the accompanying smoke. Call for assistance if you see or smell smoke instead of twisting the key more.
Oil has soaked the starter.
If your vehicle has rear-wheel drive, the starter is often located on the passenger side of the engine, directly below the exhaust manifold. If it is a front-wheel-drive vehicle, look above the transmission on the driver’s side or under the exhaust manifold. On some automobiles, they may also be found just beneath the intake manifold. If you open the hood to discover that your starter is covered in engine oil, your broken starter may be a sign of an oil leak, which is another issue. Keep an eye out for oil leaks to prevent starter problems of this sort because, regrettably, what begins as a few droplets of oil can steadily and often unnoticeably evolve into a costly problem.