Where is the starter motor on a kia sedona?

wish id never seen the kia sedona its one problem after another. had starter stop and no dials working it leaks and heater might just aswell not be there its so bad, if your thinking of buying one then dont. The starter is behind and down from the battery. it doesnt really look like a normal starter easy job to do but best just buy something more reliable than a kia its the worst vehicle ive ever had

steve howlett
January 2015

Just replaced starter on my 2004 Sedona, took about 3hrs.
First disconnect battery positive, then take off air filter top & lay it to the right leave the electrical connection on. Undo & remove air filter scoop & box, 10 mm screws & hose clamp. Undo Turbo hose clamp &
move to the left, undo split links on 2 gear change cables, then locate 4 screws on the bracket that holds the gear change cables, use ratchet spanner & extension socket. Move bracket to one side. There are 2 bolts on starter easily removed from the top with 17mm spanner.
Now you can jack up the drivers side with a trolley jack as high as you can, then for safeties sake put extra axle stands under the front chassis.
Working under the car the starter is at the back & to your left when looking up past the engine. Undo using a small screwdriver the starter switch blade fitting(wire). Then undo the nut holding the large power wire fitting ,moving both out of the way. Finally release the final bolt holding the starter in place . Pull the starter out & twist it cog downwards through the hose fitting loop at back of engine, starter is fairly heavy so lower it out gently.
The fitting of new starter is just the reversal of the procedure. I got a starter off Ebay(new) for £88+£9.95 pp. Ps I am 74 & managed the job ok.

Gaz
October 2012

Does anyone know where I can find a picture online of the starter in position in the engine bay? I'm looking at mine it doesn't look like a starter motor? Thanks in advance.

Mike
August 2011

Well I have no experience took about 3 hours and most of that was getting the 17mm bolts loose ahhhhh i was gonna give up but persisted job done used kit off ebay and by gum its working ha ha putting back in took ten mins lol!!!

Mark
May 2011

Hi Karen, my feelings Exactly..................Why did I pick a poxy Kia! Same prob as mine. Except I have also had the power steering pipes burst on me, as well as the gear linkage, (which by the way you idiots at Kia , is less sturdy than a bicycle brake wire)........
I have a 2002 Kia Sedona and if anyones thinking of buying one, id think again. In my view they seem to be the new LADA, except LADA were better made!!!!!!!!!

A GUTFULL OF MY KIA
July 2010

Sept 08. Just replaced mine on a 2004 Sedona, and I'm not a mechanic !
Not a hard job but you do need to do it from under the car - put mine on ramps, felt safer than axle stands. Disconnect battery (neg). No issues with Radio Code on mine as there was none. There are 3 Nuts/bolts to undo two from underneath, I found it best to leave one just in then proceed to the top of car. Here there is a third nut/bolt, found it best to remove air filter housing, and a few other bits and pieces hoses etc(none to difficult) just follow your nose.
The tricky bit, the bit that takes the time though is this "top" bolt. It seems not to come out (a bracket seems to stop this) I couldnt get a ring spanner on it, but an open ended one did it slowly- dont panic just keep undoing and as long as the bolts from under the car are loose it will undo from the starter motor. A bit fiddly but you get there is the end.
Refitting new one is reverse of above and seems fairly easy.
Hope that helps someone ! Good luck.

Steve
September 2008

Sept 08. Just replaced mine on a 2004 Sedona, and I'm not a mechanic !
Not a hard job but you do need to do it from under the car - put mine on ramps, felt safer than axle stands. There are 3 Nuts/bolts to undo two from underneath, I found it best to leave one just in then proceed to the top of car. Here there is a third nut/bolt, found it best to remove air filter housing, and a few other bits and pieces (none to difficult) just follow your nose.
The tricky bit, the bit that takes the time though is this "top" bolt. It seems not to come out (a bracket seems to stop this) I coulnt get a ring spanner on it, but an open ended one did it slowly- dont panic just keep undoing and as long as the bolts from under the car are loose it will undo from the starter motor. A bit fiddly but you get there is the end.
Refitting new one is reverse of above and seems fairly easy.
Hope that helps someone ! Good luck.

Steve
September 2008

Hi Karen, you need to follow the big red cable from the battery down to the engine and at the end of it is the starter motor, but remember you will need your radio security code as the battery should be disconnected to safely remove the starter motor

nigel
July 2008