A weak battery, a faulty start-stop system (system that automatically switches the engine off and on again when stationary) or a broken cable between the battery and ignition coils (coils that provide the high voltage for the spark plugs) mean that many Kia Picantos will no longer start. Owners of older examples in particular report this problem regularly. With the right knowledge and a few quick checks you can get a long way.
Most starting problems with the Kia Picanto fall into two categories: the engine does not turn over at all, or the engine does turn over but simply does not fire. That difference determines the direction of your search. In this article we explain what the main causes are, how to recognise them and which steps you can take.
Why won’t my Kia Picanto start any more?
Starting problems are related to the power supply or sensors that control the engine. A starter motor that does not turn usually points to a problem with the battery, battery terminals or starter relay (switch that sends power to the starter motor). If the starter motor does turn but the engine does not fire, the cause lies with the crankshaft position sensor (sensor that measures the position of the crankshaft and determines when the engine should inject and ignite), fuel supply or immobiliser (electronic anti-theft system that blocks starting).
Below you will find the most common causes listed:
- Weak or flat battery: The battery does not provide enough power to make the starter motor turn strongly.
- Dirty or loose battery terminals: Corrosion on the clamps causes poor contact and voltage drop.
- Defective starter motor or starter relay: You only hear a click, or nothing at all when you turn the key.
- Failed crankshaft position sensor: The engine turns over but gets no signal for ignition or injection. Fault codes P0335, P0336 or P0339 point to this.
- Broken cable or loose connectors: A broken cable between the battery and coils or a loose connection causes intermittent starting problems.
- Fuel supply: A defective fuel pump or low pressure in the system prevents the engine from firing.
- Immobiliser or key recognition: The anti-theft system blocks starting if the key is not recognised.
‘ This simple intervention solves the problem immediately in many cases, especially with cars that are regularly used for short journeys or have been standing still for a long time. ’
Kia Picanto won’t start: recognising the causes
The symptoms you experience already give an indication of where the problem lies. Pay close attention to what exactly happens when you turn the key or press the start button. No reaction at all, a click or a spinning starter motor without result each point in a different direction.
Below are the main symptoms with the corresponding directions:
| Symptom | Probable cause |
|---|---|
| No reaction at all when starting | Battery, starter relay, ignition switch, security system |
| Only a click is audible | Starter motor, starter relay, battery voltage too low |
| Starter motor turns, engine does not fire | Crankshaft position sensor, fuel, ignition, immobiliser |
| Sometimes it starts and sometimes it doesn’t | Loose connection, sensor fault, relay, broken cable |
Start with the battery and battery terminals
Before you start complicated diagnostics, first check the battery. Measure the voltage with a multimeter. A healthy battery should read at least 12.4 volts with the engine off. If you are below 12 volts, the battery is probably too weak to turn the starter motor.
Also take a good look at the battery terminals. White or green deposits indicate corrosion and cause poor contact. Clean the terminals with a wire brush and make sure the clamps are firmly tightened. This simple intervention solves the problem immediately in many cases, especially with cars that are regularly used for short journeys or have been standing still for a long time.
Why is start-stop not working on a Kia Picanto?
The start-stop system switches the engine off automatically when stationary to save fuel. If this system no longer works, this can have several causes. A weak battery is the most common reason. The system constantly monitors the battery voltage and shuts itself off if the battery does not have enough capacity to restart reliably.
Other reasons why start-stop switches off are:
- The engine has not yet reached operating temperature
- The air conditioning is on maximum cooling
- The windows are still defrosting
- The battery is more than three years old and has lost capacity
- Fault codes have been stored in the engine management
The system is designed to operate only when all conditions are optimal. If it does not work for a longer period, have the battery tested in particular. Start-stop systems require a special battery with higher capacity and a longer service life. A standard battery cannot support the system properly.
Recognising a broken battery-to-coils cable on a Kia Picanto
A broken cable between the battery and the ignition coils is a known problem on older Kia Picantos. The cable runs from the battery via the fuse box (housing that contains the car’s fuses) to the ignition system and coils. Due to heat, movement and age the insulation becomes porous and copper wires break. This creates an interruption in the power supply to the ignition.
You can recognise a broken cable by these symptoms:
- The engine turns over on the starter motor but does not fire.
- There is no spark at the spark plugs (components that create the spark in the cylinder)
- The problem sometimes appears and disappears again, depending on vibrations or temperature
- You see damaged insulation or discoloured cables in the engine bay
Test the cable by measuring whether voltage is present at the coils while you turn the ignition key to the ignition position. If there is no voltage, there is an interruption somewhere. Check the entire cable visually for cracks, wear or burn marks. Always replace a damaged cable completely to prevent the problem from recurring.
Practical diagnostic sequence for starting problems
If you experience starting problems, go through these steps in order. This allows you to rule out the most common causes systematically and save unnecessary costs.
- Check the battery: Measure the voltage and clean the terminals. Test whether the battery can deliver sufficient starting current.
- Listen to how it starts: A click, slow cranking or nothing at all point to different problems.
- Read fault codes: Use an OBD scanner (device for reading fault codes from the car) to read any codes. Pay particular attention to codes relating to the crankshaft position sensor.
- Check connectors and earth connections: Unplug connectors and check for corrosion or poor contacts. Make sure earth points (contact points where components are connected to the bodywork as the return path) are properly secured.
- Test the fuel supply: If the engine turns but does not fire, then check the fuel pressure and pump operation.
- Try a spare key: If you are unsure about the immobiliser, a different key can give clarity.
When should you replace a crankshaft position sensor?
The crankshaft position sensor plays an important role when starting. This sensor indicates where the crankshaft is so that the engine knows when it needs to inject and ignite. With a defective sensor the starter motor does turn the engine, but the signal for fuel and spark is missing.
Real-world experiences show that the Picanto sometimes starts and sometimes does not when the sensor has intermittent faults. In the event of complete failure the engine will turn but not start at all. Fault codes P0335, P0336 and P0339 confirm a problem with the crankshaft position sensor. Replacement then solves the problem permanently.
Common experiences of owners
On Kia forums, owners regularly describe that their Picanto sometimes starts and sometimes does not, while the starter motor seems to turn normally. This pattern points to a fault that is not constantly present, such as a sensor, relay or contact problem. After replacing the crankshaft position sensor, the car started normally again in several cases.
Other owners report that the car mainly has problems after short journeys or in cold weather. This usually points to a battery that does not have enough capacity or to a poor earth connection that gets worse due to temperature changes. Both problems are relatively easy to solve with a new battery or by reconnecting the earth properly.
Useful tips to prevent starting problems
Prevent starting problems with regular maintenance and checks. You can see many faults coming if you know what to look out for. Check the battery every year, especially if the car is older than three years. Clean the battery terminals and check that the clamps are firmly tightened.
When replacing sensors or cables, pay attention to the routing. Cables must not rub against moving parts or belts. Secure them neatly with cable ties and make sure connectors are properly locked in place. Also note when starting problems occur: after rain, with a cold engine, after short trips or after refuelling. That information helps with the diagnosis.
Test the car both hot and cold. Some starting problems only appear when warm or precisely after standing still. Never start replacing parts blindly, but first read out fault codes and carry out the basic checks. That saves money and frustration.
‘ With the right knowledge you can solve them yourself in many cases. ’
Discover more about your Kia Picanto
Starting problems are annoying. With the right knowledge you can solve them yourself in many cases. On the Carnews website you will find much more information about common problems, maintenance tips and experiences of other owners. Discover what else you can expect from your Kia Picanto and how to prevent common faults.
Frequently asked questions
The most common causes are a weak or poorly connected battery, problems with the starter motor or starter relay, a defective crankshaft position sensor, faults in wiring/connectors, fuel supply problems and sometimes the immobiliser/key. You can start by measuring the battery voltage yourself and checking the battery terminals and earth cables for corrosion and play. Then listen: if you only hear a click or the engine turns slowly, that points to battery/starter motor; if it turns normally but does not fire, then the crankshaft sensor, fuel supply or immobiliser are suspect. Ideally have fault codes read (specifically around P0335–P0339) and visually check connectors and cables, and also try the spare key.
There are no widely documented, generation-specific starting problems that are seen as a “typical weak point” for one particular Picanto model year, as is the case with some other brands. However, the same causes are regularly mentioned across various generations, such as problems with the battery or battery terminals, the starter motor/starter relay and especially the crankshaft position sensor (often with fault codes P0335/P0336/P0339). In addition there are recurring, cross-generation issues with wiring/connectors (contact problems) and sometimes with key/immobiliser, which manifest themselves as occasional failure to start. In practice, therefore, it is mainly these known components, and not a specific Picanto generation, that have a reputation for causing starting problems.
Keep the battery in top condition: regularly check the charging voltage, have a weak battery replaced in good time and keep battery terminals and earth points clean and free of corrosion. Have the starting system (starter motor, starter relay and wiring) periodically checked by a garage for wear, poor contacts and broken cables. Ensure that connector joints in the engine bay are dry, clean and properly clipped in, especially at sensors such as the crankshaft position sensor. Use the car regularly on longer journeys so that the battery can recharge properly and avoid lots of short trips in succession.
Start with the battery: measure the voltage (around 12.5 V at rest, >10 V while starting) and check whether the terminals are clean and firmly attached; with weak voltage or dimming lights, the battery is the main suspect. If you only hear a click when starting or the starter motor turns slowly despite a good battery, then the starter motor or starter relay is probably the culprit. If the engine turns normally but does not fire, then the alternator is less suspect and you should think more of sensors (such as the crankshaft position sensor), fuel supply or immobiliser. Finally, check whether the charging light on the dashboard stays on with the engine running or whether the battery keeps running flat; in that case the alternator or charging circuits are the problem.
Regular maintenance significantly reduces the risk of starting problems with a Kia Picanto, because things like battery condition, battery terminals, earth connections and starter motor are checked in time, thus preventing failures. Important points of attention are checking and keeping battery terminals and earths clean, testing/replacing an ageing battery in good time and checking the starter motor and relay for wear. Periodically reading fault codes also helps to detect incipient problems with, for example, the crankshaft position sensor at an early stage. In addition, it is useful to check cables and connectors around sensors and the starting circuit for corrosion, breaks and loose connections.