Pretty sure I've heard of this issue a couple of times and IIRC it was a matter of replacing the brake switch.

 

Try removing the +|- terminal on the battery for 10mins, then reconnect it...

 

http://www.optimaforums.com/forum/6...ptima-engine-technical-discussion/2735-new-problem-push-button-start-fails.html

OP in that thread says that if you hold the START button in long enough it will bypass the brake switch to start. It would still suck to drive it without brake lights if the switch is the problem.

http://www.optimaforums.com/forum/5-optima-general-discussion/2809-push-start-stopped-working.html

^ Post 12 notes a previous bad brake switch.

 

Wow, thanks! I never noticed that thread. So that looks like my problem. ****...

 

Well, I just got it start. I had to disable the auto seat feature so I didn't burn out the seat motor .

Anyway, I just kept tapping the start button and tapping the brake, and it eventually started.

But now I've got another problem. The traction control light is stuck on (pic).

I think the brake switch may definitely the problem. After it started, I noticed the the brake lights should light up when you tap them in accessory and on. Does this mean my brake lights may not be working sometimes? Or is there a different switch/sensor for the starting system?

 

But now I've got another problem. The traction control light is stuck on (pic).

That light just means your car's Bacon Slick Deployment Device is active.

 

Should be a simple fix, so don't worry too much. :smile:

 

Great....thread closed!

 

Not exactly, wannabe moderator . There's still the issue of the traction control light. It would be good for the community if I'm able to update after it's been fixed.

 

OK...I'll cut you some slack even though you should have found your issue when searching the forum to prevent another duplicate thread:smile:

 

^ The light can also be illuminated when the TCM sends a message to the instrument cluster to warn driver of impending danger.

Literally translated from the CAN-Bus is:

{WTF!?!?!?! NEXENS?!!! *^%#%^*&%#%$^}

 

Just replaced brake switch and car finally started ! I was never able to 'bypass' the brake switch by just pressing the start button for 1 minute or whatever...no matter how long, with or without foot on brake, i couldn't get it to start...but when it started, now the stupid anti traction light was on...had me worried, but it eventually went away after a few starts and now all is well...the brake switch is 15.00 at dealer...it comes with the fitting that holds it in place...study it and figure out how it works before you go upside down, twisting your back trying to install it near brake pedal ! Basically, pull tab straight out, then rotate switch 1/8 turn, and then it will slide out very easy...you don't have to remove plasic fitting to get the switch out of there. And apparently there are 7 different brake switches, so dealer will need your VIN #

 

Dumb question by why didnt you let the warranty cover it?

I second this....why would you pay for an obvious warranty item, or doesn't your car have a warranty? Really interested to hear this explanation!

 

Dumb question by why didnt you let the warranty cover it?

 

Because i'm married...and my princess wants her car NOW !...ha.. Dealer said they might be able to look at it Thursday, if not they would get to it on Friday...then i called parts to see if they had the part, and of course they didn't...i wanted parts guy to just go ahead and order it to get it en route considering the weekend and everything, but he said since it was warranty, he had to wait until it was diagnosed...he also told me the part would take 1 week to get...sorry, but my wife doesn't want to wait a week, she doesn't want a loaner for a week, either...so me being a smart husband, and wanting to keep the bride happy, i went to the next closest Kia dealer(45 min. each way) and picked up the part for 15.00 bucks...I actually asked to buy 2 of them, but the parts guy said he sold his other one earlier in the day...what's that tell ya? .... so when i got back home, i put the part in, and car is back in action. Wife is happy, which makes me happy. ....And JohnAG11...thanks for the tip..i knew there had to be some special sequence or whatever...thanks

 

Can't say I would have done the same. I know I definitely wouldn't have shelled out my hard earned money for a warranty item because my wife didn't want a 'free' loaner. At that point I would have said 'your car, your problem".
Don't get me wrong I take care of all the cars in the house (4). I just don't let anyone dictate to me how and when to do it.

 

I just took in my car because of the same issue of the car not starting even though I've depressed the brake pedal and the push button start. I took it in to the dealer and he said they just ordered a recall that will start in May. He changed the switch, but not with the revised one they will have in May, so I have to get the new one when it arrives at dealers. I copied this from a recall site and it shows just the 2011 Optima as having the issue.

Report Receipt Date: APR 01, 2013
NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V114000
Component(s): EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
All Products Associated with this Recall

Vehicle MakeModelModel Year(s)

• KIAOPTIMA2011
• KIARONDO2007-2010
• KIASEDONA2007
• KIASORENTO2007-2011
• KIASOUL2010-2011
• KIASPORTAGE2007-2010
  
  
  Details
  
  3 Associated Documents
  
  
  Manufacturer: Kia Motors Corporation
  
  SUMMARY:
  
  Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. The stop lamp switch in the affected vehicles may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and causing the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate. CONSEQUENCE:
  
  Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash. REMEDY:
  
  Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098. NOTES:
  
  Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to Home | Safercar -- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

 

We had this same problem happen to our car. My wife had this happen one morning and I had just read the brake switch bypass start button 20 second hold and I had told her so she knew what to do. She was able to start it to get to work but like you the traction light stayed on for the rest of the day. Three days later when we were out it did it again. We were 5 minutes from Peoria Kia in AZ. We went over to the service department and they got us in right then, 50 minutes later we left with the switch repaired and a washed car. No appointment they were awesome!

 

Please keep in mind that if you are going through the sequence to bypass the brake switch to start your car that your issues don't end there. Sure it's all good that you were able to start your car, but the other function of the brake switch is to tell the BCM to illuminate the brake lights when you depress the brake pedal. If you're driving around with a bad brake switch that you have to go through the bypass procedure to start, you're also rolling the dice as to whether or not your brake lights will work and run the risk of being rear ended.

Enoyes12, I'm glad that your dealership fixed you up on the spot! That's rare.