Car won't start (more in description). Very sluggish?

Question

2014 Kia forte GDI 80K miles
This morning my car would not start at all. It would try to turn on but it would be sluggish, crank over and then turn off right away. After a couple tries it would just not crank over anymore.The battery is 3 months old and is holding a healthy charge of 12.6v.My 1st thought was that there is something wrong with the fuel pump but the fuse isn't blown, the relay is clicking and I can hear the fuel pump doing its 3 second thing through fuel nozzle hole when the car is switched to the On position. I can also feel its vibration through under the back passenger seats (that's where the fuel pump is located in this model. Really easy access) when its moved to the On position.

In the mean time I swapped out all 4 spark plugs (needed to swap them out anyways) and when I tried to start the car it cranked over and began to hold idle like normal. I took advantage and began to spray seafoam in the air intake thinking maybe the fuel injectors are clogged.

However, doing this, I don't I solved the problem at all. Kind of just slapped on a bandage and i5 still believe that their something wrong with fuel area but I don't know where to look next.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Country Boy · Answer

Spraying Sea-Foam in the air intake NEVER cleans the fuel injector nozzles. It must be put in the gas-tank for the fuel pump under to push the fuel THROUGH the fuel injector nozzles. When was the last time you changed the fuel filter?

Ryker · Answer

If you get the car to start, hook up an obd2 scanner and check live data. Check the output of the o2 sensors and fuel trim. Check any other sensors as well. When did this problem start? Did you recently have any work done to the car? Did it start happening after you filled up on gas?

Anonymous · Answer

If it held idle like normal, why would you mess with NORMAL?   Check to see if you have any OIL.  It needs lube for the parts to move.The battery is still new so that ain't it though the charge should be closer to 13.6 for a new battery.  See a mechanic because really you did not say anything important...that I can use.

Anonymous · Answer

My only piece of advice is that spraying seafoam in the intake will do absolutely nothing for the injectors.  Like putting a bandaid on your knee for a bloody nose.

Anonymous · Answer

Just to confirm, is the engine cranking but not starting?  Or is it not cranking at all?  If it is not cranking at all or sluggish when cranking, get a jump.  Car starts fine, get the battery charged and load tested.  If a jump does not fix it, check if starter is getting good power and ground.  Clean and check the terminals, starter electrical connections and engine ground connections.

If the engine is cranking but not starting, spray starting fluid on the intake or vacuum line and try to start.  Car starts and dies, there is a fuel delivery issue.  Check fuel pressure with a gauge while cranking.  Fuel pressure is bad, check power and ground at the fuel pump while cranking.  Power and ground is good, pump is bad.  You can tap the fuel tank with a broom stick while cranking.  Car starts, the pump is bad.  Pressure is good, check for dirty injectors.  Check if injectors are firing and getting commanded to fire with a noid light.

If engine does not start with starting fluid, check for spark with a spark tester.  Check for trouble codes.  There could be an issue with the crank sensor (or cam sensor).  Good luck.

L.N. · Answer

Sorry, but it sounds like the battery again. If your alternator is overcharging it, it could be cooked in three months. Jump the car to start it and see what the voltage is when running. It it is much over 14 volts that would be a problem.

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Car won't start (more in description). Very sluggish?

6 Answers