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2020 Kia Forte GT - Intermittent No-Start Issue, Cranks but No Fire

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Dan C. · rep 0 · May 22, 3:05 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2020 Kia Forte GT

My 2020 Kia Forte GT has developed a really frustrating intermittent no-start problem. Sometimes it starts perfectly fine, but other times, especially after sitting for a few hours, it just cranks and cranks but won't fire up. There's no Check Engine Light on, which makes it even harder to diagnose.

I've tried listening for the fuel pump prime, and I can hear it sometimes, but not always. Could it be a fuel pressure issue, or maybe something with the immobilizer? I've tried both keys, same result. It eventually starts after multiple attempts or if I let it sit longer, but it's completely unreliable now.

Has anyone experienced this with their Forte? Any ideas on what I should check first?

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

ClearTheCode Team · rep 0 · May 22, 3:05 AM

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ClearTheCode admin answer:

An intermittent no-start condition where the engine cranks but doesn't fire, especially without a Check Engine Light, can be challenging to diagnose. This typically points to an issue with one of the three critical elements for combustion: fuel, spark, or air (compression is less likely to be intermittent).

Here are the most common culprits and diagnostic steps for your 2020 Kia Forte GT:

  1. Fuel Delivery System:
    • Fuel Pump Relay: A failing fuel pump relay can cause intermittent power to the fuel pump. This is a common and relatively inexpensive part to replace or swap for testing if an identical relay is available (e.g., from the horn).
    • Fuel Pump: The pump itself could be intermittently failing. If you sometimes hear the prime and sometimes don't, this is a strong indicator. A fuel pressure test at the rail when the no-start occurs would confirm this.
    • Fuel Filter: While less common for intermittent issues, a severely clogged filter could restrict flow.
  2. Ignition System:
    • Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP): A faulty CKP sensor is a very common cause of crank-no-start conditions, as it tells the engine computer when to fire the spark plugs and injectors. It often doesn't trigger a CEL immediately if it's an intermittent failure.
    • Ignition Coils/Spark Plugs: While less likely to cause a complete no-start across all cylinders, failing coils or plugs could contribute if multiple are bad.
  3. Immobilizer System: If the immobilizer isn't recognizing the key, it will prevent the engine from starting. However, typically, the immobilizer light on the dashboard would flash or stay on to indicate this issue. Since you've tried both keys and don't mention a light, it's less likely but still possible.

When to See a Shop:

  • If you're unable to perform basic checks like listening for the fuel pump or checking for spark.
  • If the issue persists after checking/replacing the fuel pump relay or if you suspect a faulty crankshaft position sensor.
  • A professional can connect a diagnostic scanner to monitor live data, including fuel pressure, RPMs during cranking (from the CKP sensor), and immobilizer status, which can quickly pinpoint the exact failure point.
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