1998 kia sportage, how to replace the starter?

The first thing to do is to check the condition of the battery cables/terminals. Make sure they are clean, free from corrosion and are tight. Also check the black earth lead where it connects to the block/bodywork. A poor earth can cause the symptoms you describe.

If that doesn't work, disconnect the positive battery cable (but bear in mind that you may lose the radio code.. do you know your radio code?) and then disconnect, clean the cables on the starter motor.

If that does not do anything - suspect the starter motor solenoid. It can be removed and cleaned (remove the starter motor first). You can 'bridge' the terminals on the solenoid with a screwdriver to try and start the car... but be careful.

kia sportage 2 0 starter motor
2007 kia sportage 2 0 starter motor Google Search

Most cars only have 2 starter bolts, but some do have 3. An older honda had a third starter bolt from the back side of the transaxle into the starter.
Pull off the electrical connectors, then remove the starter bolts you can see. If the starter is not completely loose now, there must be a third bolt. Check around the starter mounting rim, also on the back side. Good luck.

Remove the battery's negative terminal

Take note of wiring connections on starter, then disconnect it's wiring.
Take out the two location bolts, and then remove the starter.
Installation is the reverse of those instructions.

Note: Before removing the battery negative lead, turn off any alarm systems and be sure you know any security codes for the stereo if it requires any as you will reset it and will need the codes to boot it up again. If you are not sure if it requires any code, then you will need to provide a separate battery power to the stereo by splicing into it's power and earth leads before disconnecting the main battery.

The #1 most common cause is lights being left on or lights coming on at night when the temperature drops. Lighted visors are a common problem.

Remove positive terminal from battery From under passenger side above front drive shaft remove intake bracket 14mm 1 bolt on bottom of intake 2 bolts at bottom of bracket remove bracket. remove 3 14mm bolts from starter one is on top and kind hard to get at (3/8 swivel is required) lower starter care full it will fall on you head if you let it remove electrical connections re install.

IT SITS UNDER THE MOTOR IT SHOULD BE ON THE PASENGER SIDE LOOK WERE THE TRANSMISSON AND THE MOTOR MEET WHEN U FIND IT THERE SHOULD BR TWO WIRES THAT NEED TO BE TAKING OFF BESIDES THE TWO BOLTS HOLDING THE STARTER ON DISCONNECT THEM ALLAND IT SHOULD COME OUT GOOD LUCK

you have to remove the bracket going from the underside of intake to th block the bottom of the bracket is held in by a motor mount bolt reinstall this bolt after removing bracket then one or both bolts come from trans to starter be sure to get ground wires back on bolts during reinstall you dont have to reinstall bracket it does nothing except get in the way of removing the starter

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions at the beginning of this section.
2. Drain the engine oil.
3. Remove or disconnect the following:
   
   Negative battery cable Intake manifold bracket upper bolts Clutch release cylinder and move it aside, if equipped Intake manifold bracket lower bolts and remove the bracket Starter from the clutch, manual transmissions only Starter from the torque converter, automatic transmissions only Starter electrical connectors Move the transmission wire harness aside Starter
   
   
   Fig. Exploded view of the starter
   

To install:

1. Install or connect the following:
   
   Starter to the engine well Starter electrical connectors Lower intake manifold bracket and install the upper bolts Starter into position. When aligned properly torque the bolts to 40 ft. lbs. (54 Nm). Torque the intake manifold bracket bolts to 40 ft. lbs. (54 Nm). Properly position the clutch release cylinder, if equipped. Torque the bolts to 40 ft. lbs. (54 Nm). Torque the intake manifold bracket upper bolts to 40 ft. lbs. (54 Nm). Negative battery cable

YOU HAVE TO DO IT FROM THE BOTTOM THERE IS 1 12mm BOLT AND 1 NUT AND IT SHOULD COME OUT

at the right side of the vehicle under the battery there is the starter bolted by three screws you need to get under the vehicle to loose the screws use a 14mm socket and wrench to get the bolt loose it takes a bit of maneuvering to get it out of the tight space but it is possible and simply reverse to get the new one in remember to disconnect the battery and the lines to the starter before starting to work.