98 Sephia STILL won't start. Please help!

So my 98 Sephia hasn't started since early Jan 06. It was sluggish before I went on winter vacation for 2 weeks, and when I came back it wouldn't start at all. I mean it turns over, makes some noises, but won't actually start. I hooked the battery up to a friends car hoping it was just low on juice... but no luck. I didn't want to spend $300+ on a fuel pump for a car that's not worth much more than that, so I decided to change the valve cover gasket. Three spark plugs were covered in oil, so I figured this had to be the problem. Well, yeeeeah no! The car still doesn't run. Can anyone help???

So my 98 Sephia hasn't started since early Jan 06. It was sluggish before I went on winter vacation for 2 weeks, and when I came back it wouldn't start at all. I mean it turns over, makes some noises, but won't actually start. I hooked the battery up to a friends car hoping it was just low on juice... but no luck. I didn't want to spend $300+ on a fuel pump for a car that's not worth much more than that, so I decided to change the valve cover gasket. Three spark plugs were covered in oil, so I figured this had to be the problem. Well, yeeeeah no! The car still doesn't run. Can anyone help???


DId you try shaking the engine compartment fuse box while cranking?? In the 7 years that I have worked on KIAs I have seen maybe 2 bad fuel pumps. It is very rare.

I haven't tried shaking it while starting. I'll have to do that tonight. But I did try to swap the fuses for the fuel pump and egi mainamp with the defoger and horn fuses, but had no luck with that eaither. BUT!!! now when I try to plug a fuse back in #54 for the fuel pump, it sits in there loosely. YAY another thing gone wrong. sheesh

check to see if plugs are fireing .there are several posibilities.the motor mave have also jumped timing.it is hard to tell.i have a 96 and it has been slow to start for 3 years. this is definitly a timing issue.i have just been to lazy to fix.the 1.8 liter is a mazda bp05 that kia used.to see thisi nfo go to wikipedia.com. look up bp05.i hope maybe this will give you somewhere to start.post and i will see if i can maybe help trouble shoot.:banghead:

check to see if plugs are fireing .there are several posibilities.the motor mave have also jumped timing.it is hard to tell.i have a 96 and it has been slow to start for 3 years. this is definitly a timing issue.i have just been to lazy to fix.the 1.8 liter is a mazda bp05 that kia used.to see thisi nfo go to wikipedia.com. look up bp05.i hope maybe this will give you somewhere to start.post and i will see if i can maybe help trouble shoot.:banghead:
I wish I could help you, I am currently going through the same problem. Only mine starts after a few turns of the key. I have changed the fuel pump, cam shaft position sensor, computer (used), I had the fuel injectors cleaned and I also had the coils changed. My last resort will see if there is an electric problem. However I can tell you that one of the mechanic’s that has worked on my car said unplug the left spark plug, insert a large screw driver and set it on top of the metal cover plate, try to start it and see if you have any spark, electricity current. If not then it is your cam position sensor. (((Everyone that I have spoke to about my car has said the car is a piece of S... and not worth the money to invest.