hey all, i’ve got a 2017 kia optima that was running fine, then suddenly shut off while driving. now, when i try to start it, the dash lights up, but i only hear a clicking noise. the motor isn’t locked up, and it has a fresh battery in it. any ideas on what could be going on?
sometimes a clicking sound means the starter is struggling to engage. could be an issue with the starter relay or connections. have you checked those?
Sadie said:
sometimes a clicking sound means the starter is struggling to engage. could be an issue with the starter relay or connections. have you checked those?
hadn’t thought of the starter relay, i’ll check that next.
if the battery is new, maybe look at the alternator. if it’s not charging properly, it could cause the car to shut down suddenly.
worth double-checking the oil level too. low oil can lead to some strange issues even if the engine isn’t locked up.
Kia said:
worth double-checking the oil level too. low oil can lead to some strange issues even if the engine isn’t locked up.
good idea, i’ll make sure the oil level is fine. thanks!
if you’re getting dash lights but just a click, it could be an issue with the main relay or even a grounding problem. sometimes it’s something small that goes unnoticed.
hope you find the cause soon! these sudden shutoff issues are annoying but usually traceable. let us know how it goes.