Kia Sedona FAQ

Kia Sedona

Quesstion: Where is the valet swtich on my Kia Sedona to kill the alarm?
We have a 2004 Kia Sedona minivan, with a car alarm. If we lose the remote opener keyfob, and open the car with a spare key, the alarm goes off and won't stop.

I heard somewhere that there is a "valet switch" somewhere that I can push to kill the alarm if this happens.

Does anyone know where that switch is, or a website I can go to and find it?

Answer: USUALLY, and I mean USUALLY. They are somewhere just under the dash,or somewhere else the driver can easily reach, but out of casual sight.-there isn't any "set" place for them

Question: Do the rear vents in the Kia Sedona ever get warm?
I have a 2004 Kia Sedona. There are rear vents in the ceiling, presumably to distribute either warm or cold air to the rear seat occupants. However, I've noticed that, now that winter is here, the vents never deliver warm air; the air is always cold coming out of them.

Is this just a crappy design that I'll have to live with? Or is there something wrong with my car?

Answer: i would get it fixed they put a 12 volt chinese electric motor that switches the gates in heater and cooling gate under dash it burns out easy

Question: What is your experience with the Kia Sedona?
Our car is dying and we are thinking about making the leap to a mini-van. Has anybody had any experience with the Kia Sedona? How are they in terms of longevity? I tend to ride my vehicles into the ground. Can I get 120,000 miles out of them...understanding that there will be some work involved around 100,000+.? Any insight is appreciated.

Answer: We've been driving our Kia Sedona for almost 3 years now. It's been a wonderful vehicle for us. We haven't had any issues with it at all and the service at our dealership is outstanding.

Question: How do you change a lowbeam front light on a Kia Sedona?
HOW DO U CHANGE A LOW BEAM LIGHT ON A KIA SEDONA? THANKS!

Answer: If you mean that the low-beam (dip) doesn't work in the normal headlight, but full beam does. Just change the lamp, it's a dual lamp that does both dip and full. Access is under the bonnet, at the back of the headlight, remove the plastic cover,pull of the connector block, pinch the wire together that holds the lamp in, and replace in reverse order.Halfords stock these and will also tell you what wattage you need.

Question: Do you have a Kia Sedona and how do you like it?
I have done a bit of research checking out sites like edmunds.com and consumerreports.org and the Kia Sedona is the #1 rated minivan for customer satisfaction.....but then on the other hand I have heard bad things about them and I don't know what to believe about them. My husband and I are having our third child soon and we need/want a minivan but are on a tight budget so this seemed like our best bet, but I don't want to end up with a heap of junk either! Help! Thanks for any input!

Answer: Safety, fuel economy and reliability should be the most important factors. Kia Sedona is a heap of junk don't believe what you read from edmunds or consumer reports as they only use statistics that are yes or no answers when gathering statistics. I was a service adviser at a Kia shop and I can tell you unequivocally that they are not as good as the surveys say. There are problem mechanically and with the AC system and the fuel economy is not that great. Even the Hyundai entourage which is the sister car to the Kia is of a bit better quality.
You folks should look at a wagon like a Subaru Legacy or small cross-over vehicle like the Honda CRV.

Question: How do I replace a headlight light bulb from my 2002 kia sedona?
Are there any Repair manuals online that I should try?

Answer: you should check your car Manuel. but i will say open the hood and look behind the headlamp and see if you can put your hands through it if you can then remove the plastic ceiling over that cover the housing and there is a small metal spring and try and loosing it and take out the bulbs and put in the new one and remember try not to touch the new bulbs it will ruin it and cut it life time so when you put the new light in do the same thing you did and over the housing again and i almost forgot that you need to unplug the headlight wiring first and make sure your car is off. try and see if this can help or just like i said check your car manual it should tell you what you need to do to change your bulbs. good luck.

Question: How many pounds can a 2005 Kia Sedona with a 3.5 liter engine and automatic transmission tow?
I want to be able to pull a boat with this. Does anyone know if this is possible? What modifications would have to be made to it?

Answer: you can call kia and ask them. A 3.5 should have at leas 198hp and 200ft.lb of torque that would translate to approximately 4500lbs of towing capasity. So if your boat weights around this you should be fine if it weights upto 6000lbs you can tow it but most likely give you problems in hills or going agains the wind. I could be wrong because i jus did this calculations on my head so call kia ands ask. One more thing I forgot to add the weight of the van so you can figure that out your self.

Question: Kia Sedona automatic transmission problem?
I have a 2003 kia sedona, with automatic transmission. the 'problem' occured when I put the gear in Reverse, it moves slowly even you press the accellator,then, i shifted the gear in 'Drive' and there is a slight 'tud' sound. is there any problem with my transmission or does it require any transmission fluid? please advise. thanks

Answer: When was the last time you had the transmission serviced(new fluid and filter)? Kia and Hyundai transmissions are cruddy if they are not taken care of.

-When was the last time you checked the fluid level?

-Are you the first owner? if not, do you think the first owner probably beat the hell out of the van?

-Doesn't you van come with a 100,000 mile warranty?

Question: I have a 2005 kia sedona and I keep hearing a squeaking noise?
It just started yesterday and its a squeaking noise coming from the passenger side in the back the car drives fine should I be worried?

Answer: Yoour brakes are probably about out of pad, that squeeking is probably the squeeker hitting the rotor warning your that the pad is almost gone

Question: How do I know if the water pump on my 2003 KIA Sedona is leaking>?
car is in the shop to have the belts replaced, and they are saying that when they took the cover off they saw some "seapage" coming from the water pump.

Answer: Take that cover off and look at it (to be a smart-xxxxxx)

Seapage is normally the sign of the seal on the bearing going out (there is a hole called a seap hole - intended JUST for this type of inspection) it can also mean the bearing is going out (and that causes the seal to leak). You "may" get away with not replacing it for a while / but they will charge you a lot more to take it all apart and replace it later. How much later is the only question once it is leaking.

Go into the shop and ask them to "see" it - it is not too hard to see if it is or has been leaking.

Question: How do I change the serpentine belt on my 2003 Kia Sedona?
The manual has no info for me. I need to know how to and something with a diagram would be nice. From visual inspection there are two seperate belts close in area. Are there two serpentine belts or is one of them something else? They look the same just wrapped around different things. I'm not just a girl and I want to take care of my own vehicle but I am lost about this and I could use some info. I do not want to take my mini into some shop so they can charge me an arm and a leg for something I'm sure I can do. Any valid info would be helpful, I have searched the internet with no progress, except I did find this place. Thanks.

Answer: Wanna try yourself?

Register here:
http://www.kiatechinfo.com/index.asp

Kia and hyundai are the only manufacturers that give their service manuals free online.. after registering, you will have the same info as a dealer tech.. just go look for it under engines

those things use two seperate belts to run all the accessories (usually one is alternator and power steering, the other is for the a/c) and will require both to be replaced

Question: Where is the coolant temperature sensor on a 2002 kia sedona located?
Accoording to my onboard diagnostic I have a bad coolantant temperature sensor and want to replace it but I'm having trouble spotting it. Is it visable and doable?

Answer: The Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor is located in the engine compartment, where the upper radiator hose meets the engine, this is the thermostat housing and the sensor is in the lower right hand side of the thermostat housing.

Question: Where is the windsheild washer pump on a 2002 kia sedona and is it hard to change?
The wipers still operate so I don't think it is a fuse. The bottle is full but it makes no nose like it is even trying to pump water to the windshield

answer: Front washer system

Tank assembly
The washer tank assembly stores the washer fluid used by the washer system. It is a plastic assembly with a fill port and a connection port to the washer motor. It is a replaceable item.

Rear washer system

Washer tank assembly
The washer tank assembly stores the washer fluid used by the washer system. It is a plastic assembly with a fill port and a connection port to the washer motor. It is a replaceable item.

Front washer system

Nozzles
The washer nozzles deliver washer fluid directly to the windshield. The nozzles are replaceable as an individual item.

Rear washer system

Washer nozzle
The washer nozzle delivers washer fluid directly to the windshield. The nozzle is both adjustable and replaceable.

Question: Where do I find detailed instructions on how to service the A/C on my KIA Sedona?
My KIA is a 2001 and is just blowing hot air out of the vents when I turn on the A/C. Help please!!

Answer: If the compressor doesn't come on when you turn a/c on you are low on refrigerant. You may have a leak but it may just need refrigerant. An '01 that hasen't been serviced before may just need a bit of refrigerant. You can get a recharge kit at auto supply. It uses r134A. The kit comes with instructions. Be sure engine is idling, a/c is on high and all windows are open before attempting to charge. You are working with possible 100 + psi. Watch the belts and fans, they can get you if you are careless.

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