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gwildor · 02-16-2010, 11:19 PM

I'm starting to get angry.... and you won't like me if I get angry.. Ok.. i'll stop nerding out..

But here's my dilemma.. and i'm hoping you guys can suggest what I should do..

I have 3100 kms on my car... that's roughly about 1950 miles for you emericans and your gold medals..

Today I had to take my car in for a second time because the engine light aka the malfunction light has come on..

The first time was at 2600.. and today was the second time..

each time its roughly an hour at the dealership.. both times it's felt like they've just shrugged it off..

first time they said they had to resecure the mass air flow sensor & hose..

today they gave me a code of P0304.. told me the engine detected a misfire.. but they drove it 10 kms... and it didn't happen again so it must be bad gas....

I'm thinking of writing some kind of stern letter because I don't have time for this shit.. and I don't want to lessen the life span of my car.

So what if I have a 100,000 km warranty.. If I have to take it in ever 500 kms.. it's going to drive me bananas..

What do you think I should do?

**Kenny C** · 02-16-2010, 11:23 PM

Not sure how your lemon laws work...or if you even have them, but I would document everything and most importantly, keep your cool with the dealership. Not going to get much sympathy from Kia Motors if you come off like a psycho.

mschiavoni · (This post was last modified: 02-16-2010 11:32 PM by mschiavoni.)

ouch! 100,000 KM = 62,137.119 MI. we americans have a 100,000 MI warranty. just ouch! they need to update yours to 160,935 KM....

EDIT: hopefully that doesnt add to your frustration, sorry. i didnt think of that

if that light came on, id make a point to take it in while the light was on... id go OUT OF MY WAY to get to a dealership, and MAKE them plug it in...

KoupCoupe · (This post was last modified: 02-17-2010 12:34 AM by KoupCoupe.)

How about getting a code reader? Get one with an erase function (~$60). That way if the SES light illuminates you can check it yourself so that you don't have to take it to the dealer right away if it isn't something important -- like a loose gas cap. If it is something like a "detects misfire" you can erase it to see what it will do next...JUST like the dealer will do. If it comes back again then you can take it to the dealer. As long as the engine and tranny appear to be running fine, all fluids are in their operating ranges, no smoke is present, no unusual noises are heard, then you should be able to drive it if it's just an emissions issue until you're ready to let the dealer fix it.

I really can't fault your dealer if a glitch occurs and you get a code they cannot duplicate. Just changing parts isn't going to solve the problem if they can't find out what is wrong with it. Your best defence is to get to know your car and be able to self diagnose when you need to. I find it is less of a worry just knowing stuff like this myself.

My 03 Sorento kicked out a misfire on the #2 cylinder once...I erased the code and it hasn't come back...and that was more than a year ago. Just some Glitch...KNOCK ON WOOD...LoL!

**Kenny C** · 02-17-2010, 12:57 AM

(02-17-2010 12:33 AM)KoupCoupe Wrote: How about getting a code reader? Get one with an erase function (~$60). That way if the SES light illuminates you can check it yourself so that you don't have to take it to the dealer right away if it isn't something important -- like a loose gas cap. If it is something like a "detects misfire" you can erase it to see what it will do next...JUST like the dealer will do. If it comes back again then you can take it to the dealer. As long as the engine and tranny appear to be running fine, all fluids are in their operating ranges, no smoke is present, no unusual noises are heard, then you should be able to drive it if it's just an emissions issue until you're ready to let the dealer fix it.

I really can't fault your dealer if a glitch occurs and you get a code they cannot duplicate. Just changing parts isn't going to solve the problem if they can't find out what is wrong with it. Your best defence is to get to know your car and be able to self diagnose when you need to. I find it is less of a worry just knowing stuff like this myself.

My 03 Sorento kicked out a misfire on the #2 cylinder once...I erased the code and it hasn't come back...and that was more than a year ago. Just some Glitch...KNOCK ON WOOD...LoL!

Good info. What code reader are using for Kia's? I guess I could use Google, but it's easier to ask someone that's already done the homework. Tongue

mschiavoni · 02-17-2010, 01:37 AM

they use GDS (Global Diagnostic System, i think) anyway, its for dealers only

D113 · 02-17-2010, 08:53 AM

Gwildor,

I've heard Gino's service team at Dixie Kia is top notch. You can try taking it to them there. You can also call Kia Canada's number and hit 1 for english, 4 for customer experience, and then open a case with them.

D

gwildor · (This post was last modified: 02-17-2010 11:01 AM by gwildor.)

(02-17-2010 12:33 AM)KoupCoupe Wrote: How about getting a code reader? Get one with an erase function (~$60). That way if the SES light illuminates you can check it yourself so that you don't have to take it to the dealer right away if it isn't something important -- like a loose gas cap. If it is something like a "detects misfire" you can erase it to see what it will do next...JUST like the dealer will do. If it comes back again then you can take it to the dealer. As long as the engine and tranny appear to be running fine, all fluids are in their operating ranges, no smoke is present, no unusual noises are heard, then you should be able to drive it if it's just an emissions issue until you're ready to let the dealer fix it.

I really can't fault your dealer if a glitch occurs and you get a code they cannot duplicate. Just changing parts isn't going to solve the problem if they can't find out what is wrong with it. Your best defence is to get to know your car and be able to self diagnose when you need to. I find it is less of a worry just knowing stuff like this myself.

My 03 Sorento kicked out a misfire on the #2 cylinder once...I erased the code and it hasn't come back...and that was more than a year ago. Just some Glitch...KNOCK ON WOOD...LoL!

as an IT professional.. there's one word that I hate more than anything and it's Glitch.. If there's a glitch then it's a problem that needs to be fixed. You can't use that as a reason to explain what happened..

These problems happen for a logical reason. You can't just erase the code, say it's bad gas and feel like you've solved the problem.

What I want to hear is.. Your right Customer. This does seem to be an odd problem.. It's especially odd since this car is still brand new. Here's what we are going to do. We are going to erase the code again and monitor the situation to see if this occurs again. We just have to make sure it's not a one off.. and if not we'll try something else.

They just can't be erasing the code all the time and saying ok your good..

I bought a new car because I was tired of taking my old one to the mechanic all the time.. Time is Money.. and now i'm averaging more time at the mechanic than I did with the old car! See my frustration?

(02-17-2010 08:53 AM)D113 Wrote: Gwildor,

I've heard Gino's service team at Dixie Kia is top notch. You can try taking it to them there. You can also call Kia Canada's number and hit 1 for english, 4 for customer experience, and then open a case with them.

D

I think i'm going to call Kia Canada I kind of want to wait and see what happens after this last time... but I know if I wait and it Does happen again.. then i'll be super pissed..

ile2010 · 02-17-2010, 11:10 AM

I have a code reader that I picked up at Canadian Tire for $100 on sale (regular price is $200). For most problems it gives you a description as well as the code. If it's an obscure code, you can always log into KGIS (http://www.kiatechinfo.com) to look it up.

That being said, I didn't buy the reader for the Forte. I bough it for my Saturn after removing my DRL relay for my HIDs, so I would know if my MIL (malfunction indicator light) was on due to the missing relay, or something else. Bottom line, the scanner's a useful tool to have, but shouldn't be necessary for a new car. Keep thorough records of your issues and open a case with Kia Canada. Perhaps it would be good if you let the dealer know before you do. They may be more willing to help you so you wouldn't complain (if you do it diplomatically). Kia expects nothing but the best from their dealers and the dealer definately doesn't want you complaining.

KoupCoupe · (This post was last modified: 02-17-2010 03:37 PM by KoupCoupe.)

NO a scanner shouldn't be needed for a new car, but...stuff still happens. There are still glitches...can't prevent those no matter who makes the car! My point is to have a code reader (OBDII is what you need to read...all cars use OBDII now) for your own peace of mind. I learned this on a trip...just at the start of the trip my SES went off. It was a Saturday and we went anyway...that SES made me worry the whole drive. When I finally got to the dealer I found out it was for a leaking gas cap seal. If I had known that on the start of the trip I wouldn't have had to worry the whole drive.

I use an Actron CP9125 --got it at Autozone for $60. It has an erase button and a book of code explanations. It has worked on all my Kias, Fords, Chevrolets, and Hondas. As for taking a car in for a "Glitch", I would have wasted time taking my 03 Sorento in for the one code it had -- after the erase it hasn't happened again. The dealer wouldn't be able to do anything with it other than what I did. So technically the code reader saved me time...as well as gave me peace of mind!