[novacane]

Hey everyone,

When trying to start my car, it does not start, makes a clicking noise, and all the electronics are going haywire. Headlights, dash, interior lights rapidly flashing, sometimes it says the key isn't detected, sometimes it says refuel. When trying to unlock/lock the car, the mirrors aren't folding out and the lights rapidly flash.

Here's a video of a little of what's going on: Streamable Video

I checked the voltage on the battery and got around 12.53-57 so I don't think it's a voltage issue. Connections are clean and secure on the battery leads. The car was driven with no problems roughly 4 hours ago, so it is not an issue with it sitting for a long time.

Any idea what this could be?

 

[Turbonut]

When checking voltage, did you check the terminals themselves? If so, take a reading on the battery cable ends to see if there is any difference, then check between the positive terminal of the battery and an engine ground to see if 12+ volts.

Might also want to keep the tester on the battery and try and start the car to see if voltage drops drastically.

 

[turnbowm]

The clicking sound you hear when trying to start the car is the starter solenoid, which is caused by a bad battery. The voltage may be okay under no load conditions, but not okay when loaded by the starter motor. This is due to high internal resistance in the battery. An auto parts store (Pep Boys, etc.) can run a load test to determine battery health.

 

[redlantrn]

You probably need a new battery. Mine did the same thing (2016 SX). Jump start it and drive to Walmart. Their batteries are supplied by Johnson Controls, which is a good company. Depending on model, you might need an AGM battery, which is $200 at most other places. Like $150 at Walmart. Good luck.

 

[K5 Optima Store]

This is 100% going to be the battery. This is exactly what happens when there’s not enough juice in the battery to turn over the motor and start the engine. Many of us have dealt with this before and the way you are describing it, I’m willing to bet any amount of money that that is going to be it.

 

[novacane]

Yup, battery current was the issue. Trying to jumpstart didn't do anything, but replacing the battery worked.

Thanks everyone for the replies!

 

[Freetree123]

Yeah this is the battery as others have mentioned.

Unfortunately the optima battery is a tiny little piece of junk. I had to replace the original battery at 2 years and even the diehard 3 years after that! Stranded both times. Thanks Kia!

In any case this last time I bought a 5 year warranty battery at Walmart and I will buy a load tester from Amazon so at least I can start testing it every 6 months after 2 years and every 3 months after 3 years.

It also might be a good idea to keep a charged up battery jump starter in your Kia. It seems Kia engineers chose one of the smallest batteries and they die very quickly. In addition apparently car batteries don't last as long as they used to when I was growing up.

So I will see how well the 5 year warranty Walmart battery lasts.

Hey everyone,

When trying to start my car, it does not start, makes a clicking noise, and all the electronics are going haywire. Headlights, dash, interior lights rapidly flashing, sometimes it says key isn't detected, sometimes it says refuel. When trying to unlock/lock the car, the mirrors aren't folding out and the lights rapidly flash.

Here's a video of a little of what's going on: https://streamable.com/fzst5

I checked the voltage on the battery and got around 12.53-57 so I don't think it's an issue with voltage. Connections are clean and secure on the battery leads. The car was driven with no problems roughly 4 hours ago, so it is not an issue with it sitting for a long time.

Any idea what this could be?

 

[Wiscokidd88]

having the same issue, also seems my hood latch is stuck and i cant get the hood open on my '11 SX...hope someone is on and can help at least get the hood open

 

[KingFatty]

having the same issue, also seems my hood latch is stuck and i cant get the hood open on my '11 SX...hope someone is on and can help at least get the hood open

yes, you might want to begin a new discussion with your question specific to the mechanical hood issue, so it doesn't get missed in this discussion about electronics.

 

[Mandolv80]

Same issue but autozone said the battery is good.. is it the same situation where its good on test but not enough to start car? Should I buy a battery?

 

[Turbonut]

having the same issue, also seems my hood latch is stuck and i cant get the hood open on my '11 SX...hope someone is on and can help at least get the hood open

Does the hood pop open slightly when the cable is pulled? Had a problem with an '08, but the hood did pop uip slioghtly and had to work with the latch to get it opened.
Actually was a bad latch assembly and not the cable.

Same issue but autozone said the battery is good.. is it the same situation where its good on test but not enough to start car? Should I buy a battery?

Get a MM and check the battery voltage @ 12.6, make certain cables are clean/tight, then try and start the car to see if the voltage drops substantially.
Sound, numerous clicks, or just one everytime the key/button is turned/pushed?

 

[COS-16SXL]

having the same issue, also seems my hood latch is stuck and i cant get the hood open on my '11 SX...hope someone is on and can help at least get the hood open

Below was for a presumed disconnected hood-release cable BUT may be a solution if all else fails.

Hood latch cable disconnected. Can't open the hood...

So apparently I forgot how to car and while changing headlight bulbs I must have disconnected the hood latch cable. Theres a section where the cable has a ball tip that connects into a \/ type connector. Now I can't open the hood and I'm at a loss as to how to open it. I could bust out my SX...

www.optimaforums.com

 

[britm22]

Hey everyone,

When trying to start my car, it does not start, makes a clicking noise, and all the electronics are going haywire. Headlights, dash, interior lights rapidly flashing, sometimes it says key isn't detected, sometimes it says refuel. When trying to unlock/lock the car, the mirrors aren't folding out and the lights rapidly flash.

Here's a video of a little of what's going on: Streamable Video

I checked the voltage on the battery and got around 12.53-57 so I don't think it's an issue with voltage. Connections are clean and secure on the battery leads. The car was driven with no problems roughly 4 hours ago, so it is not an issue with it sitting for a long time.

Any idea what this could be?

I've been having the same issue with my 2013 optima hybrid LX, however I just replaced the battery ~6 months ago. It was fine for a while, then the last few weeks every few days it's been saying "key not detected" and won't start without a jump and most recently had the same noises/clicks issue.

 

[Soniah]

I also had such problems and was very scared but I turned to a specialist and everything was solved. I remember that exactly in those days I was on tour through British motoring history and I will never forget those days. It was so amazing that the whole family was amazed. This year we have already got our tickets and we want to visit that place again in July. In case anyone here wants to know more about this, they can visit this site A tour through British motoring history where are all the necessary details.

 

[Derekm27]

having the same issue, also seems my hood latch is stuck and i cant get the hood open on my '11 SX...hope someone is on and can help at least get the hood open

I had the same problem with the hood latch and had to take the plastic scuff guards underneath the car and manually pull the latch cable by reaching your arm up by the driver headlight from under the car. There is a joint in the cable right by the driver side headlight that very easily separates. Pull the cable, open the hood, put the two cable eneds back together and wah la. Good luck