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i have a 2006 kia sorento i have had to replace 7 sets of headlamp in the last 9 months. i have been doing this since i bought it new with 5 mi on it. sometimes 1 blows out or they both will go out. the license plate light assembly has been replaced because it melted to the housing. im getting tired of buying lamps. my local parts store always knows what im in there to buy so they make sure they keep an ample amout of lamps in stock. i have taken it to the dealer and they keep telling me its "normal". ive owned alot of cars and never replace this many in my entire life. i also have a really bad problem with my sorento "pinging". my dealer told me to just put a fuel additive in for every tank. im afraid that i have or will do damage to my engine. i have many problems with my car and to many to list. these are the most troublesome. i get about 10 to 12 mpg now. what do you think is the fix to my problems. my dealer is not helpful at all.
Year: 2006Make: KiaModel: SORENTOEngine: V6 3500 DOHC 24 VALVE Already Tried: ive replaced numerous headlamps, tail lights, license plate assembly, dome lights. console lights and cd player get extremely hot. engine pings terribly. have put fuel additives as instructed by dealer. dealer says all this is normal. clunking in rear when taking it out of park. poor gas mileage 10 to 12 mpg in city and 14 to 17 highway. many problems. don't know where to start. any help you can give would be greatly appreciated!! thank you in advance!!
Hi, I will do my best to assist you. When you are finished please click on accept. I don't get paid unless you do. I don't know if you are a pro or a novice so we may have to fine tune the answer. I only know as much about your problem as you have told me in your post, so my answer will be based on what you have posted. Feel free to add any additional info you feel is needed. It sounds like you have your hands full. The problems with burning out lights, and the CD player getting hot, are probably one in the same. Also the problems with the engine pinging and getting poor mileage can be related to a base cause. The only thing that can cause all of these problems is for your alternator to be overcharging where the output voltage is to high. This will constantly burn out lights, and in severe situations it can cause electronic engine controls to malfunction, and cause poor mileage. It is even possible for the pinging to be related to over charging from the alternator. To much voltage can cause strange things in any electronic system. BotXXXXX XXXXXne is your dealers service department is probably not very well trained in electrical/electronics or they would have spotted this.You need to have a simple test to determine what your charge voltage is. Optimal is about 14.2 volts. The redline starts at about 14.5 volts anything over 14.5 volts is a warning signal. Anything over 14.7 volts will start to cause damage. Test the voltage at the battery with all accessories off, and with the engine revved up to about 2500 RPM's. If the voltage is high the alternator will need to be replaced.As for the pinging, the dealer is way off base saying that is normal. Pinging can destroy your engine. Hopefully the pinging is related to the charge voltage. Get the charge voltage checked out and see if it is to high. If it is to high this will be a relatively easy fix. If you have any more questions I am here to help. Good luck, and Thanks for using Just Answer.I hope this helps, 100% satisfaction is my goal. If the answer is not clear, please reply and I will assist you more. When you're satisfied, click on accept. I don't get paid unless you do. A bonus and positive feedback are always appreciated, good luck and Thanks.
Automotive Engineer
30 years experience, Repairing, building, & designing, automobiles.
Thanks for your quick reply. I will have the voltage checked and see if that's the problem. The dealer tells me that they can't hear any pinging at all. They say to add a fuel additive to each tank, but I'm afraid that I will or have already done damage to my engine. It seems to run ok for that tank then goes back to what it was before. Someone told me today about possibly the timing chain/belt or sensor might be bad. I can't find any info on this. Would that be a possibility at all? Also what do you think the clunking in the rear end might be? I have to be really careful when I park and apply the parking brake. When you put it into gear there is a big clunk in the rear end. Do I have to take my Kia to a Kia dealer and have ALL work done on it for my warranty to apply?Thanks again for your help.