Random crank but no start on a 2008 Kia Sorento

2008 Kia Sorento 80,000 miles on it. Randomly, it has a crank no start problem. Otherwise it runs fine. The car also has a remote start.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
The on-board capabilities of your Kia are pretty high. When problems occur, the computer often memorizes them. A lot of times, it will turn the engine on and have the Check Engine Light on and give you a code that way. But if it had stuff like a bad mode six or bad live data, and bad recorded data, a good mechanic will be able to analyze that. I’d start there if I were you because if it happens intermittently, it is something that you are going to need a computer to help figure the issue out. Otherwise, you are going to give it to somebody and say "drive it and find out what’s wrong," and this could take weeks, so you are going to pay them a lot of money. Find a professional mechanic to analyze that information and diagnose your starting issue first. That would be the best thing to do so that you don’t end up replacing any parts that are not faulty.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

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The battery may be too low to start the car, the ignition switch may have an open circuit for the start position, or the starter or starter relay may have failed. You may also have a bad fuse or two, so check those as well.
The most common reasons a Kia Sorento won`t start are a dead battery, an alternator problem, or failed starter. Search our network of RepairPal Certified shops near you to speak with a technician about your issue.
Cold temperatures affect the chemical process inside the battery and reduce its ability to hold a charge. It also thickens engine oil, increasing friction in the starter motor and forcing it to work harder.
If the car clicks when trying to start, but still won`t start, this can be caused by a weak battery, dirty battery terminals, a worn starter motor or a stuck solenoid. If might just need a jump start, but there are a few tricks to try before breaking out the jumper cables or electric jump starter.
Broken or Damaged Ignition

If your headlights can turn on, but your car won`t crank, that means that your battery is charged, but either the starter or ignition is the problem. If the starter or ignition is the problem, a starter engine can be jumped by using a charged battery.

Broken Starter: If you`ve put your key in the ignition and hear a clicking noise when trying to turn the key then your starter has likely gone bad. Clogged Fuel Filter: If everything else in your vehicle feels fine but you`ve found yourself with trouble starting the car, you might have a clogged fuel filter.
Why Your Car Won`t Start When It`s Cold. When your engine cranks normally but doesn`t turn over, the problem could be traced back to the fuel system. That`s because gasoline has to vaporize before it can burn, and freezing (or below) temperatures make that difficult.
A difficult start could be due to a number of things, from a dying battery to a faulty starter. But if your vehicle has a hard time starting after sitting for just a few hours, it can cause an extra layer of confusion. When this happens, one of the most common causes is low fuel pressure.
The crankshaft position sensor monitors the position and speed of the crankshaft and other parameters that play an important role when starting the engine. If the crankshaft position sensor is having a problem, the vehicle may have intermittent starting issues or not start at all.
Ignition timing on a no-start can be confusing, but it can still be tested by connecting a timing light, then watching the timing marks while an assistant cranks the engine. While this may or may not be base timing as specified by the manufacturer, it does let you know where the spark is occurring.
Starting a vehicle with a bad crankshaft sensor can be risky and it`s unlikely to work. Disconnect the damaged sensor and try spraying a little starter fluid in the throttle body on your engine. Then, try cranking the engine to start the vehicle.
If you continue having difficulties starting your car in the morning, you may have a drain on your battery somewhere, or you may need a new alternator.
The O2 sensor will not cause the no start. The no start can be caused by the fuel pump or the ignition system. You should check the engine for spark and fuel pressure, when it is not turning on to help narrow the problem down. The ignition system may be the coil, module, or pick up in the distributor.
The MAF can become clogged with excessive carbon build-up from the combustion cycle, or sometimes by road grime. If it is too dirty, it will be unable to correctly measure the air fuel ratio, and cause your car to not start or exhibit other unusual symptoms.
Despite above-average reliability ratings, many Kia models commonly suffer from engine failure and transmission problems. The most common Kia problems include engine failure, transmission problems, and faulty electrical systems.
Start the engine and, using the procedure described in section 20, listen to the cold start injector (located on the air intake chamber). You should hear a clicking noise, meaning the injector is functioning. If a clicking sound is heard, let the engine reach operating temperature and repeat the check.
The cold start injector is located on your engine`s intake manifold. When low engine temperatures are detected upon ignition, your car`s onboard computer will tell the cold start valve to inject more fuel into the engine. The increased combustion will allow your engine to heat up quickly.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

The car is having trouble starting up ,70 percent of the time it starts right up. the other 30 percent, it randomly won’t start its
ANSWER : Hey there thanks for writing in about your 1998 Honda Accord. This could be a few things. A faulty ignition switch, a failing crank sensor, or possibly other faulty sensors could be the cause. To have this taken care of, consider having a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, come to your car’s location to diagnose and repair the hard start issue.

Fuel pump engages. Batery good, alternator good volts, jump start helps when wont start. Temp does not matter. Intermittent?
ANSWER : Hello. Thank you for writing in. There are several reasons your vehicle may only start when jump starting. The first and most common is a build up of resistance that is causing you to need a boost of voltage to get the engine started. This may be due to poor battery cables, a bad ground connection, a poor starter solenoid, and a couple of other issues. The first thing you want to do is perform a visual inspection of the starting system. Make sure there is no corrosion build up in the battery cables. You can also check the resistance across these wires and make sure you have a solid connection between components. You then want to make sure the starter solenoid is doing its job. It is responsible for taking the small amount of electricity sent by the ignition and turning it into a huge electrical charge that is strong enough to push over the engine with the help of some gear ratios in its favor. Do some more testing, and stick to the basics before assuming its something seriously complicated.

Random crank but no start on a 2008 Kia Sorento
ANSWER : The on-board capabilities of your Kia are pretty high. When problems occur, the computer often memorizes them. A lot of times, it will turn the engine on and have the Check Engine Light on and give you a code that way. But if it had stuff like a bad mode six or bad live data, and bad recorded data, a good mechanic will be able to analyze that. I’d start there if I were you because if it happens intermittently, it is something that you are going to need a computer to help figure the issue out. Otherwise, you are going to give it to somebody and say "drive it and find out what’s wrong," and this could take weeks, so you are going to pay them a lot of money. Find a professional mechanic to analyze that information and diagnose your starting issue first. That would be the best thing to do so that you don’t end up replacing any parts that are not faulty.

72 Chevelle cranks but won’t start and has to be flooded but smell no gas
ANSWER : Gasoline is generally not usable after 3 to 6 months. If gasoline has been stored in the vehicle for a lengthy time, the problem is likely that there is just simply nothing to combust. The volatile components in the gas have evaporated and other compounds in the gas have turned to varnish and gum, possibly plugging up the carburetor. If the tank was drained though and the fuel in the fuel system is fresh, please simply request a no start diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will pinpoint the cause of the no start condition. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

Car was sometimes not starting, not even cranking when i turned the key then after a few times itd start. Now it ont start at all
ANSWER : Hi there:

Without being there to inspect your vehicle, or having information about what type of car, truck or SUV you own, it’s very hard for us to give you some advice. You might want to have a professional mobile mechanic complete a car is hard to start inspection; so they can come to your location and determine why your vehicle is having these issues.

My car starts fine but always like once a month it doesn’t start it cranks ok but it will not start if I let it sit for 6 hours
ANSWER : Hi There,
What you are describing sounds like an ignition coil that may be failing. Ignition coils are prone to this type of erratic functioning or heat cycling when they are beginning to fail due to the temperature fluctuations under the hood which ultimately cause them to shut down causing the car to only run after cooling down for 30-40 minutes. Ignition coils are coated with a varnish-like insulation that becomes brittle over time after being stretched then contracted repeatedly The insulation develops small fractures that open when heated and close when cooled. When open, they allow shorting of coil windings and decrease or eliminate the coil’s ability to function. This process will repeat itself continuously until the coil ultimately fails completely and must be replaced. I would recommend having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your ignition system.

Vehicle won’t start, once it’s jump started it only stays running until you turn it off, then it work start again without jumping.
ANSWER : Hi there. There could be two problems here. It is possible that your battery is bad and will not take a charge from your alternator while driving. In that case every time you shut your car off you will not have enough juice to start it again. Inspect your battery – it should have at least 12.5 to 13 volts to start your car, if it doesn’t you will need to replace the battery. The second problem could be that your alternator is bad and not charging your battery, in this case you will need to replace your alternator. Both the battery and the alternator can be tested in your car. If you would like to have the car checked for you, a certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the starting problem and proceed with repairs.

My Blazer will crank over but not start by itself. It needs starting fluid to start.
ANSWER : Hi there. If you have not replaced your EGR valve, mass air flow sensor or the TPS on your Blazer, you might want to start with these repairs. It is also possible that the throttle body itself is damaged, especially if you’re able to start it on fluid. If you want to avoid chasing parts and repairs, the best solution may be to have a professional mobile mechanic come to your location and complete a car is hard to start inspection.