I was driving my wifes Kia when all of a sudden a loud pop, followed by a strong smell of sulphur, made the car die, while driving. I have tried turning it on but only the starter engages followed by a pop with no engine start. What could it be?
What is your question?
loud pop or bang, no start, starter engages engine wont turn on. I've checked all fuses and relays, all good. Good battery charged. If its the starter why is their a pop sound.
What makes this problem better or worse?
when I let a few days go by and try starting it, its when the pop occurs, then the starter just engages. Let it rest and again pop followed by starter engaging.
How long has your 2004 Kia Optima had this problem?
RepairPal Certified shops can diagnose and repair your 2004 Kia Optima. They provide transparent pricing with a minimum 12-month or 12,000-mile warranty on repairs and services.
Hi, my name is Devin. I am an auto repair expert with the Car Genius team here at RepairPal. I'm sorry to hear you're having trouble with your Optima.
The loud pop followed by the sulfur smell and the car dying could indicate a serious issue, possibly involving an electrical failure or engine components. The sulfur smell could indicate a problem with the catalytic converter or an overheated component in the electrical system. The popping noise when trying to start could be from misfiring or backfiring. Given the combination of symptoms, some reasonable next steps include inspecting the timing belt and ensuring that the engine can be turned over by hand.
If you need more advice, have any other questions about your vehicle, or would like to get connected to a RepairPal Certified shop near you, we have you covered. Give us a call at 877-913-1554, and we will happily help you out!
