Kia Optima

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2002 Kia Optima

2002 Kia Optima questions and answers

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Q: how long does it take to put a 2002 kia optima alternator in??


A: Depends on the mechanic, how much experience he has how many he's done before and stuff like that! http://www.willyblues.com/

Q: where is the release botton for the gas lid on an 2002 Kia Optima?


A: or........to yer right

Q: i own a 2002 kia optima with 121,ooo it runs great , how long do they run for with care?
I do all the regular fluid changes .is it to much to think i can get 40-50 more thousand without major repairs

A: Well, since its a Kia, thats means its pretty much crap in my opinion. Not sure about 40-50k but maybe 25k if your lucky. I have known some people that have owned Kia's and they thought they sucked, like nothing is real qualtiy, its all cheap plastic for the interior. I think you should trade it in and get a cheap toyota, they last forever.

Q: I have a 2002 Kia Optima. I bought it used and didn't receive an Owners Manual. Is there any way I can a copy?


A: Yes, Go to Auto zone. Or your Kia dealership ask them to order you one. Also you can search ebay or amazon for these as well. If no Auto zone in your area Whatever auto supply place you have in the areas.

Q: 2002 KIA Optima, Battery- Alternator problems?
The battery light goes on in the dashboard, I sometimes have use jumper cables to start the car, it drives ok, but the battery light goes on, and off at times. It drives well for a while and then the lights start to dim until the car dies out. I put a new battery and the dash battery light remains on. I turned the ignition on and pulled out the negative of the battery and the car dies out right away. what part of the alternator could need fixing without changing the whole part. Carbons ? Regulator ?

A: Based on your description, you could have a bad alternator, or something in the wiring is not as secure as it should be. Various auto part stores will offer an alternator test for you, if you bring them the alternator. In some cases, it can be done in vehicle, with a different tester that can also make sure the battery is still good at that time. Advance Auto Parts, Napa, Autozone, O'Riellys all have decent reputations and can do this for you. As far as just trying to fix the alternator, if its 5 years old, and doing that, go ahead and replace it. Rebuilding will cost almost as much, and not all rebuilders are as reputable as they should be. Some rebuild kits do not include certain parts that may also be going bad on you, so the alternator could fail again for a different reason a month down the road forcing you to get an actual replacement. Simpler to go ahead and do the replacement now, and save the headache. Good luck

Q: Having problems with 2002 kia optima?
iThe car will throw 4 (four) diffrent codes three of them are non related another one is OBD2 reading 1504 and i cannot find a answer other than inner/outer speed sensors on those cars were really bad but I have to take it to kia to find out what that code means b/c it reads out a code for the special computer reader that is used by kia motors ????thanks for your reply i have checked all wire looms and even re grounded the car as well ???? any sugestions thanks Robert

A: Is that a "P1504" or B1504? Can't find either one in teh Alldata or Shopkey data bases

Q: I am thinking about purchasing a 2002 kia optima with 104,000 miles for 2500.. Should I?
I only have about 2700 to spend. I am not to worried about resale. I just need something to finish school with me I have about 7 months left and I drive about 25 miles everyday. I also can't get anything extreme considering I need to get sr22.. I drove the car everything sounds and runs great. It is a V6 and I don't really have a lot of money to spend on gas, the guy said it will get about 24 city.. The only things around my area turning up for sale have 150,000 plus miles or have had new engines or gaskets put it.... HELP ANYONE.. Is this going to be a waste buying the kia???

A: Funny how people perceive different cars. If it were a Honda with over 100k on it they wouldn't have a problem with it but since it a "Kia" it's automatically junk. If the car has lasted for 6 years and over 100k I don't see why it can't last another 7 months. Just like with any car try to get has much info about service and repairs from the owner as possible and run a Car Fax to see if that brings up anything. The only real problem I would be concerned of is the engine. It's a proven engine used by Hyundai but it uses a belt rather then a chain. It should have been replaced at 60,000 miles and every 60k afterward. Talk to the owner to see if this service was done already. If that belt snaps it could ruin the engine. To get a little more info about it check it out at MSN autos http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/overview.aspx?year=2002&make=Kia&model=Optima&trimid=-1

Q: how to stop leaking power steering fluid temporarily?
i own a 2002 kia optima that is currently leaking power steering fluid. i was told i need to replace the high pressure hose. but i don't have the time or the money for this. is there a cheaper solution for this?

A: if you stop adding fluid, eventually it will stop leaking. car might be hard to steer though.

Q: the check engine light came on in my car. what could it be? possibly the alternator?
2002 kia optima 5 spd 27000 miles i appreciate any responses. thanks!

A: It sounds like a service reminder, but Auto Zone can check for computer codes and it's free.

Q: What kinda of engine ?
Does a 2002 Kia Optima 4 Cylinder use ? How do I find out ?

A: 2.4L DOHC 16v Inline 4. That is what your car has. 2.4L (it displaces 2.4 litres of air/fuel mix per cycle, or 600cc per cylinder) DOHC (Double OverHead Cam/s) 16v (16 valves, that's 4 per cylinder - a pair of big n little intake valves, and a pair of big n little exhaust valves) Inline 4 (The four cylinders are in a straight line like a row of beers). A cycle is when every piston has had a compression stroke and a powerstroke, before the pattern repeats itself. At 1200 rpm there are 1200 cycles per minute, or one every .05 seconds. The valves are located in the head*, which in this case is below the cams. Intake valves let air/fuel mix into a cylinder, then they all close while the piston comes up the cylinder and compresses the mix which is then sparked by the sparkplug, (This is called the powerstroke, which pushes the piston down the cylinder like a cannonball being pushed out of a cannon rapidly by the gunpowder) and then the exhaust valves open so the 'burnt' gases are pushed out, and then the cycle for that cylinder starts again. They are operated by the cams, which are a very clever rotating device with shaped lobes that time the valves perfectly. Or at least, are supposed to. In your engine, there are four of the above cylinder cycles per engine cycle, which all happen simultaneously. Not all at the same time, and not quite one after another either, but one every quarter engine cycle/rotation of the crankshaft**. *The head bolts on top of the engine block, and houses the valves. It is a lot like a lid for the cylinders, and there is a seal between the two called the 'head gasket', which is just like the rubber seal around the lid of a peach jar and works in just the same way, except it's not rubber. 3 layers of copper isn't uncommon head gasket material. **You might just be getting more than you can chew right now, so I won't go into this or anything more :). Sorry if you find my post patronising. I just want to make sure you get a thorough answer. - Cowboy.

Q: What's wrong with my wipers?
I have a 2002 KIA Optima. Last night, my husband turned the wipers on while they were frozen to the windshield. The passenger side wiper began working immediately. The drivers side, however, got stuck. He then pulled it up off the window and it began to move. Only it went too far and past the side of the windshield. Then both wipers were moving in different directions. Now, the drivers side wiper is not moving at all. What is wrong with it? I know it is not the wiper motor because the passenger side is still working.

A: But seriously. Try removing the wiper arms. See if both spindles turn properly when you turn the wipers on. If they do, reset the arms evenly and tighten the screws that hold them onto the spindles. If the spindle(s) dont turn properly, you have ruined the bushings or gears of the motor. Call a car doctor immediately.