patrick 7/2/2011

2005 Kia Spectra5 Base 4Cyl2.0L - Engine

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Just bought my used kia and have been driving it for three day. All of a sudden it stopped starting.

My car has 92k miles. I have owned it for three days. Today I drove it all day with no problems. I shut the car off and could not start it again. I checked the fuel and the oil and both were good. There are no engine check lights or any other symptoms. I checked the coolant and it is good. The car turns over, but does not start.

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• 
  Spoon Sports 7/5/2011

  When the engine will rotate but, will not start, it can typically be attributed to one of two causes:
  
  1. Lack of fuel
  2. Lack of spark
  
  This is where a fuel pressure gauge, a spark tester, and a digital multimeter are essential. For the most part, these two problems can be diagnosed independently of each other. However, there are several failures which will prevent the fuel pump from running and cause a no spark condition.
  
  As I mentioned before when testing for lack of fuel is is almost essential to have a fuel pressure gauge. You may test for fuel supply by removing the end cap from the fuel rail, installing a hose, and direct the open end of the hose to a catch pan. However, even if you get fuel from the rail during testing there is no guarantee that the fuel pressure is adequate to start the car. In lieu of a pressure test, fuel pump delivery rate test will at least give you an idea of the condition of the fuel pump.
  
  Testing For Lack of Spark
  
  The first step in testing for lack of spark is to verify that a no spark condition actually exists. A simple spark tester available at most auto parts stores is very handy here. I recommend removing the fuel pump fuse to keep the fuel pump from running during spark testing.
  
  Disconnect one of the plug wires and connect the spark tester in series with the spark plug. Crank the engine and look for spark. You'll see the spark pulsing inside the tester as the engine turns over.
  
  If there is no spark at the spark plug, disconnect the main lead from the ignition coil to the distributor cap and connect a spark tester in series with the coil wire. Crank the vehicle and check the tester for spark to the distributor.
  
  If you get good spark at the main lead to the distributor and no spark at the spark plug, the distributor cap and/or rotor is bad and should be replaced.

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• 
  neil 1/18/2012

  Please tell me this was not a serious answer. These engines don't have a rotor or distributor. The spark is made by the coil packs, and the crank sensor tells them when to fire. I need to know if the cam sensors also play a part in this.

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  Spoon Sports 1/20/2012

  It could be the cam sensors. I figured you have that since your car is a late model car, good thing you stated that.

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