Sportage won't start in wierd temperature range

[cybervigilante]

My 99 Kia sportage will start when it's cool, won't start when it's about eighty degrees (a real problem in Arizona, since it's that in the morning) but will start if it's over ninety-five degrees or the engine has been running (at least until the engine cools back to the dreaded 80 - 95 degree range. It's hard to get manuals on Kias for some reason and I dread taking it to the shop. Last time I did that I got raped a thousand bucks to change two lousy plugs and a transfer case gasket.

Anyone got an idea on a fix?

[hvac1000]

http://www.kia.com/index.php Go here

Then to owners then to service info. You will have to generate a free account to use the site. All service info is there.

[cybervigilante]

Just an update. I see a possible fix here is the Crankshaft Position Sensor. However, the picture of it doesn't look like mine. I have a 4wd. Is that located on the rear of the 4wd transfer case, bottom of engine, driver left? If so, I found it. The wire harness pops off easily enough (the casing is rotted, though). Does the sensor simply unscrew and since it's a shaft sensor, does it have to be positioned some special way when reinstalled? tks ahedatime

[LMP]

THe Crank Position Sensor is aligned on the flywheel, just aft of the engine, on the large transmission bellhousing, on driver side. Now I tried to take an actual picture on mine, and I'd just like to see what angle they used to take the photo shown in the other post...but no way: I guess the fenders were not there when they took that photo. YOu have to go from under.
http://www.geocities.com/lmp4203/kia...nk_sensors.jpg
THe bracket just below sensor is supporting the exhaust pipe just as it leaves the engine...

From kiatechinfo.com:

Crankshaft Position Sensor

REMOVAL

1. Diconnect negative battery cable.
2. Raise vehicle and support.
3. Disconnect wire connector from sensor.
4. Remove sensor mounting bolt.
5. Remove sensor from tranmission cover.

INSTALLATION

1. Install crankshaft position sensor to transmission cover.
2. Install and tighten sensor mounting bolt.
3. Connect wire connector to sensor.
4. Lower vehicle.
5. Connect negative battery cable

[cybervigilante]

[quote=LMP]THe Crank Position Sensor is aligned on the flywheel, just aft of the engine, on the large transmission bellhousing, on driver side. Now I tried to take an actual picture on mine, and I'd just like to see what angle they used to take the photo shown in the other post...but no way: I guess the fenders were not there when they took that photo. YOu have to go from under.
www.geocities.com/lmp4203/kiasport/cam_crank_sensors.jpg


Thanks - it's a devil to get at, and that picture doesn't look quite like the part they sold me at the Kia dealership. I hope they didn't screw up. But it's about in the right place and nothing else is, so maybe someone took the wrong photo, or of a different model.

The picture is of a screw-on type plug but the plug I see and that they sold me, attaches with a throughbolt on one ear. Man, will I be mad if they gave me the wrong part and diagram. What's annoying is that less important sensors, like the one I found on the transfer case that I thought was it at first, are very easy to get at, and not even very secure. The crankshaft sensor, that will totally kill the engine, is almost impossible to get at, if its' the one I found. It also has a locking plug that is a devil to get to, as well as a tiny bolt with almost no clearance. And there's nothing that will remove that easily to get at it. And now, I'm wondering if they gave me the right part. I definitely said "crankshaft position sensor" I'll be mixing blood with oil to change this and I'm not even sure about it now. Arghhhh!

Jim

[cybervigilante]

Well, one more thing to worry about. This is for a 99 sephia, but it's the same year as my sportage and flywheels are kinda common:

"A common problem on this vehicle is the failure of the Flexplate, Automatic Transmission models only. Failure of the Flexplate can cause an erratic Crankshaft Sensor signal, and this condition can cause a hard start or a no start condition. The cost to replace the Flexplate is $41.60 for parts and $351 for labor. All prices are estimates based on $65 per flat rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or any applicable sales tax."

Nuts. replacing the flywheel is beyond me. Cheap part, but horrendous labor cost. Darn car quit just when I was going for some job training. Great timing - well, the engine maybe, but not for me ;') Actually, the car runs fine and has a lot of accellaration if it wasn't for this stupid temp dependent problem. I've looked all over and a lot of Kia shops seem to be scratching their heads. I just hope it's the crank sensor. Although the sensor looks so solid, simple and stable that I find it hard to beleive the thing ever fails. Looks like just a metal rod in a barrel with no moving parts. Must get a magnetic impulse from the flywheel.

Hah, sixty five dollars. The joker who replaced two plugs on my Kia for five hundred bucks charged eighty five/hr, claiming he used certified mechanics, although none of them could speak english and someone stole all the change out of my glove. And his Better Business Bureau sign was a phony, which I found after I called them. He scared me so bad about getting Kia repairs I'm trying to do this one on my own. It's just hard since no one makes easy manuals, and they have wierd stuff like that engine cowling you have to take off just to put in plugs (which are also more complex than usual)

Hey, just as a general question - what is the Easiest four by four to work on? With standard parts and construction, common manuals, and stuff that is easy to get at. Maybe I'll go in that direction on my next car.

Jim

[hvac1000]

Originally Posted by cybervigilante

My 99 Kia sportage will start when it's cool, won't start when it's about eighty degrees (a real problem in Arizona, since it's that in the morning) but will start if it's over ninety-five degrees or the engine has been running (at least until the engine cools back to the dreaded 80 - 95 degree range. It's hard to get manuals on Kias for some reason and I dread taking it to the shop. Last time I did that I got raped a thousand bucks to change two lousy plugs and a transfer case gasket.

Anyone got an idea on a fix?

Well this part(Crank position sensor) is not the problem. Chech the temp sensor in or around the thermostat area. The computer is not getting the correct signal.