The engine shouldn't be starting solely because you turned the car on. All hybrids work that way. But once you start moving the ICE should kick in with anything more than a feather press on the pedal. Now if the HVAC is calling for heat, the ICE should come on without the car starting to move, because the engine is what provides the heat. If you are saying the engine never kicks on, and/or you aren't able to get the car to move, then you have more serious issues that will likely require a dealer to figure out.

 

the latter. Ive had the carr for years, so I know how it turns on. but no, it doesnt turn on. put in gear, and nothing. Ill try to get a video tomorrow.

 

Ok, what I see here is that you have a 2017 Nero, but what Nero?
At first I thought battery (the 12v one) At that rate even if it's... Hybrid, the hybrid battery could be used to light up things. The 12v battery is what is used for just about everything else. and if it is the stock one, couple be time to replace it.
Just a thought.

 

Symptoms are those of the 12v battery having reached the end of it's life and needing to be replaced.
It will no longer take a charge to keep the voltage up - that's why charging gage stays down. Replace the 12v battery.

 

If it helps, I noticed when i turn the car on, everything comes on, but it takes like 30 seconds to a minute then the headlights come on.

Also, I am not sure of what kind per say. It is just marked as a niro, no special package, gas hybrid. 1.6. No special markings or anything. doesnt plug in. It has the 12v reset button, but that isn't helping anything.

 

Is the green light on? The little green light in the shape of a car. That's like the ready light.

 

See this, found it searching the posts, you could do the same.

https://www.kianiroforum.com/threads/2017-niro-hybrid-needs-12v-battery-replaced.10275/

 

Thanks, already saw that thread, when searching before I posted. But was looking for advice before I just start spending money, as it is not something I have a lot of extra. I found a thread with a very similar situation, and the person went to the dealer, but then never updated again from like January, so never found a direct answer.

 

It sounds like you are right about the 12v thing, Im just upl,oading as much info as I can

 

Check the start fuse should be upper right fuse box. Look at the diagram on the fuse cover to see where it is.

also there is a 4 wire plug behind that fuse cover below the fuses pull it out it’s like a reboot then try cranking again.

 

I had pulled teh plugs out from the interior fuse box on the driver side, and elft them out overnight ,then plugged back in this morning, and same, but i will check fuses... should have checked first.

 

Did you ever get a hybrid malfunction warning?

 

No, and thats what throws me off. Therre was no indication of this particular issue or anything and then wife gets home... then goes an hour or so later and it won't work. I just wish I knew of a way to test the battery,or knew how to find something here.

 

You say it is the hybrid. Does it have the 12V reset switch on the left lower section of dash?

 

Yes, but that didnt allow it to start.

 

I watched your video and it is showing the yellow car on the dash which means the fob is not connecting?

 

See I noticed that too, even tried to do the reset for the antitheft (turn key in lock and keep it turned for 30 seconds) but nothing.

I know with a lot of things I might seem like I am just being argumentative, but thats not really the case, I am just trying to figure out the direction in which to go.. When testing voltage from the jump post, Im getting voltage testing in the right range, but I worry that could be because of the high traction battery. I could be wrong mind you, this is the first time I have really had issues with a hybrid.

 

My 2023 Niro threw a charging system warning about 5 months ago.

I had it towed. Tech at the dealer said there was a loose ground connection. I'm not saying this is the same as your problem, but it's worth looking into.

The car has performed without problems over the ~8000 miles since then, and now has ~12,600 miles on the odometer.

 

When the 12v battery is malfunctioning, you will get all kinds of error codes / warnings that don't make sense.
You need to get your battery tested, and not just the voltage.
In the link I provided, ClaudiaB gave an update yesterday:
"I did end up taking it to the Kia dealership in Macon. They had a hybrid trained tech. It was the regular battery that needed to be reset. Unfortunately it is attached to the hybrid battery system in my backseat and they had to take all the safety precautions of handling the hybrid battery to reset it. Thankfully it is still under warranty so I was covered but I was so stressed. The tech did tell me that if it wasn’t under warranty, it would have cost me about $1800. "

Yeah, I was just hoping therer was a quicker/cheaper/easier fix lol. Financially I am drowning atm, 104k miles, not original owner, etc... but I did buy some forrm of warranty when I bought the car, so I guess I need to alsso break out the paperwork for that and read and see.

So your 12 volt system is working, right? I wonder if engine not starting is related to the HSG motor or serpentine belt? Does the engine sometimes start or are you immobile?

Completely doesnt start, the electronics turn on, but the on/off button stays lit red and teells me to satart the engine, almost as if I was just pressing on off twice without the brake.

 

Yeah, I was just hoping therer was a quicker/cheaper/easier fix lol. Financially I am drowning atm, 104k miles, not original owner, etc... but I did buy some forrm of warranty when I bought the car, so I guess I need to alsso break out the paperwork for that and read and see.


Completely doesnt start, the electronics turn on, but the on/off button stays lit red and teells me to satart the engine, almost as if I was just pressing on off twice without the brake.

Just a thought...When you press on the brake pedal, press really hard and make sure your stop lights come on. It's not unheard of that the stop light switch goes bad and prevents the ICE from starting.

 

As @yticolev says, you should check the serpentine belt for the HSG motor.
It is easy to check. Open hood and look on passenger side of engine where the crank pulley is and look for that serpentine belt.

 

Fob battery good? Can you try and crank it with the fob. So pressing the start button with the actual fob.

 

Just a thought...When you press on the brake pedal, press really hard and make sure your stop lights come on. It's not unheard of that the stop light switch goes bad and prevents the ICE from starting.

Brake light comes on, this was a thought of mine too... still nothing.

Fob battery good? Can you try and crank it with the fob. So pressing the start button with the actual fob.

Done, no difference, heck even had the thought about that it might be the fob antenna, etc... so I tried starting the car without the key anywhere near the vehicle to see if the bahavior was the same, said key wasnt detected this way, and then when I triedd again, it told me to push the button with the fob. So , strangely, it is detecting the fob despite that light.

As @yticolev says, you should check the serpentine belt for the HSG motor.
It is easy to check. Open hood and look on passenger side of engine where the crank pulley is and look for that serpentine belt.

Belt seems fine.

Unfortunately, unless there is something else that we aren't thinking of, its beginning to seem like the only feasible solution is the 12v battery like SSTR Maria says. It seems like the vehicle might be down until I can get a couple grand together to get it towed to the dealership and have the money to pay for it. Unless by some miracle this is covered in the extended warranty I have, which has provided me no benefit thus far.

When the 12v battery is malfunctioning, you will get all kinds of error codes / warnings that don't make sense.
You need to get your battery tested, and not just the voltage.
In the link I provided, ClaudiaB gave an update yesterday:
"I did end up taking it to the Kia dealership in Macon. They had a hybrid trained tech. It was the regular battery that needed to be reset. Unfortunately it is attached to the hybrid battery system in my backseat and they had to take all the safety precautions of handling the hybrid battery to reset it. Thankfully it is still under warranty so I was covered but I was so stressed. The tech did tell me that if it wasn’t under warranty, it would have cost me about $1800. "

Please do not feel like I am ignoring your suggestion. Unfortunately, this is most likely the issue, I am just holding out hope for literally anything simple, quick, and relatively cheap. Trying to think of anything that will not cost me an arm and a leg.

 

Your power relay under rear seat drivers side also has a couple of fuses may have blown one. But I’m just guessing man just giving you some options definitely an issue that the ice won’t fire up.

 

Another rabbit hole I am looking at... code p1b77.

Edit. Not the main HV fuse.Continuity detected across the prongs of teh safety switch, and detected across the HV fuse.

Also tested all fuses in the car again, all good.

 

YouTube diagnosis:

I am cautious with YouTube but this guy does seem to know what he is doing.

 

You get the November 2023 award for persistence.

 

Favorite quote from the video, re the electrical system: "You do not want to work with this vehicle if you do not have the proper training. Remember you are dealing with high voltage."

Not sure if bringing this video to the attention of a dealer service department would be well received, since it's not a Niro HEV.

 

New update today, I wass able to clear the code from the engine using the torque program, and the car will start and drive a bit. Then after a few times, it goes back to doing the same thing. That probably doing rule out anything or help anything, but I had realized I had never tried to clear the code while I was working today and had to wait until I got off to check it out.

 

Ok, I think I found the problem. I had tested the HV fuse which showed continuity, but I heard of people's who were failing intermittantly even when showing it was a good fuse, so, I grabbed a busman 150 amp fuse from discount and tried it. It works. It doesnt retrigger to check or anything. Drove it around the area, tried to start it up several times, and it works. So, that seems to be the issue. Now, before I can drive it around normally though, as that fuse states its rated for 32v vs the original looks like it was rated for up to 450v, so its definitely not suitable to drive with, I need to order the correct fuse.

 

Once again, fantastic detective work, congratulations.

This Kia TSB suggests it's a 125Amp fuse: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2018/MC-10141382-9999.pdf

I believe this is the part:

Source: 375F2G2120 Genuine Kia Fuse-High Voltage

 

Good deal. Strange though usually get a check hybrid system on that fuse maybe it’s on its way out.

 

Nice! Good work.