ago in Kia by
This car was in an accident a month ago.  After the wreck it sat for several weeks.  The front drivers side headlight was totally demolished, radiator fans pushed in a little bit and one is cracked but they both still work.  We replaced the radiator, put in headlight assembly.  The battery was dead so we jumped it and drove it for a while to charge it, then it seemed fine.  Then it started to have trouble when starting.  It would have to be cranked a couple of times before it started until when it didn't the other day.  So we jumped it and took it to Advanced Auto to test the 3 year old battery and it was fine but the guy said the alternator was going out.  We bought a new one and installed it ourselves.  To get the alternator out, you have to drop the oil filter so we changed the oil also.  After hours of getting the new alternator back in and everything tightened up (with the help of YouTube)... the car now cranks .. only.  It won't even start when we try to jump it.   The starter doesn't tick or make noises so it seems fine.  Just don't know if we hooked something back up wrong, if the belts are too tight or what the problem could be.  We even cleaned the battery connectors.  Please advise me what else I can check or need to think of.  I am a single mom with a 17year old and just trying to do my best with little money.

1 Answer

+1 vote
ago by (1.5k points)
 
Best answer
If the engine is cranking normally but does not start, it means the battery is fine. Other thing you can check is fuel supply.

The fuse box in 2009 Kia Rio sits directly behind the left headlight (driver's side) in the engine compartment. It is possible you have damaged the fuse box. You should check the fuse box for any damage or loose/broken connections, especially the fuel pump relay. It is recommended to disconnect the battery before inspecting the fuse box.
ago by
When I got home yesterday I put the charger on the battery for a short time and also made sure the power wire bolt into the alternator was tight.  Also, loosened up the belt a bit.. but its still tight!  Took the charger off and the car started right up ... three times!  So I figure its all good.  Get in to drive it.. go to start it.. nothing but rapid ticking.  I find out with the help of YouTube that the rapid ticking means battery.  So I put it on the charger again.. after a little while, I try to start it and it slowly tries to crank for a bout 1 second then goes back to rapid ticking.  That happened twice so I figure, with the advice given, I will surely check the fuse box and surrounding area and also buy an new battery.  Does all this sound legitimate to you?
ago by (1.5k points)
I gathered from your original question that starter was working normally (engine was cranking). But it seems the starter is making ticking noises, and the engine starts when you charge the battery. Slow cranking or ticking noise from starter with no crank are sure signs of weak battery. To be sure if its battery related problem, the easiest method is to check the voltage at battery terminals with a multimeter. The voltage should be 12.4 or above for a fully charged battery (when the engine is not running and charger is not connected).

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