I have a 2000 sportage, I had a similar problem myself. I gave it a complete tune-up, plugs wires, fuel and air filter. No help. What you want to try is pop the hood, and just forward of the battery there's a fuse box where the ignition relay and fuel fump relay are located. The fuel pump relay is the one on the right side. So if you're facing the battery it is the one to the right. What you want to do is have someone or yourself tap on that relay while someone cranks. In my situation that was the problem. I had someone tap on it while I cranked it and it seemed to work. While it was running I disconnected the relay and it stalled. I plugged it back in and tried staring it again without tapping on it and it wouldn't start. It only started after tapping on it again. I then purchased 2 fuel pump relays from the dealer $12.80 each. Works like a charm now. Hope it works out for you too.
Sunday, June 4th, 2006 AT 10:06 AM