When your car is running normally everything is fine, nevertheless if it begins to have frequent problems you may start to question, specifically if your car won’t start. In this post we will learn you where the starter of a Kia Optima is, it will help you to fix your ignition problems. To get this done, we will first explain the function of a starter, then, where is the starter on a Kia Optima , and, at last, how to replace the starter of a car.

find-starter-kia-optima

Purpose of the starter on your Kia Optima

We start this content page by detailing the function of the starter motor on your Kia Optima. The starter is an electric motor which is powered by your battery, its function will be to make your engine run at a high enough speed to start it (usually around 300/400 rpm). It is composed of three most important parts:

  • The Solenoid: This component is an electrical relay that will act as a switch, it will be activated by the key of your Kia Optima and let the current from your battery to the engine unit of your alternator.

    • The engine unit: Main element of your alternator, it is the one that will drive the flywheel of your Kia Optima and make enough speed for your engine unit to start.

  • The engagement pinion: This is the last part of your starter, it is the toothed wheel that will be in direct contact with the flywheel, it enables to send the force from the starter to the engine.

Where is the starter on a Kia Optima?

Now that we have quickly explained what a starter is and how it works, we will answer the question that most of you have to ask yourselves where is the starter based on a Kia Optima? It is quite easy to find a starter, obviously, it is a large part that will almost always be positioned in a similar place. We let you discover the two possible spots for your car starter below.

Location of the starter on traditional Kia Optima

First and most basic case, where to find the starter of a Kia Optima with a conventional motor (implied without start and stop). The starter has a particular function, to start the engine unit of your car, for that, it must always be near the engine unit flywheel of this one because it is the part that it actuates when it is used. The flywheel is based at the junction between your gearbox and your engine unit.

Location of the starter to Kia Optima with start and stop

And now second possible starter location of your Kia Optima . This case is much less frequent. It only concerns engines equipped with start and stop, and a good part of them will be equipped with a starter positioned close to the flywheel. Nevertheless, on some particular series or engines, the starter of your Kia Optima might be integrated in your alternator, it is then named a starter-alternator, to find it nothing easier, identify your accessory belt and you should see the big starter block.

How to replace the starter on a Kia Optima?

Finally, we’ll show you to you actually quite quickly how to replace the starter of a Kia Optima. This process is not necessarily complex, it can be considered by people who have a minimal of simple mechanical expertise and adapted equipment. Adhere to below the most important steps to carry out this intervention:

  • Disconnect the battery on your Kia Optima, if you don’t know how to do it, don’t hesitate to consult our content page which points out how to do it without taking any risk.
  • After locating your starter, loosen the fasteners that hold it in your engine unit block, there will generally be 2 or 3

    • .

  • It will be time to disconnect the power cables from the starter motor of your Kia Optima, nevertheless before doing so we suggest you to take a picture of the installation to avoid making a mistake when reassembling.
  • It’s possible that to take out it you may need to take out parts like the gimbal.
  • Remount the new starter, being careful when connecting the connectors.
  • Reconnect your battery and test your starter.

If you want more guides on the Kia Optima, go to our Kia Optima category.