What You Should Know About the 2005 Kia Sorento Battery Draining Problem

If you’ve encountered the annoying 2005 Kia Sorento battery draining problem, here’s what you need to know—and how to fix it.
Written by Melissa Harvey
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
A faulty alternator or parasitic drain could be the culprit of your 2005 Kia Sorento’s battery draining issue. While diagnosing the problem can be a challenge, most solutions aren’t overly expensive. 
Does this scenario sound familiar: you slide into your Sorento, start it up, and it won’t start! Your battery’s dead. If this sounds all too familiar, you’re not the only one. Battery drain seems to plague many Sorento owners. 
It’s time to get answers, and Jerry is here to help.
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comparison app; it's the super app and ultimate resource for car owners. Here, we’ll review the possible causes and solutions to a 2005 Kia Sorento battery drain. Stick around until the end to find out how you could save on your
Kia Sorento car insurance costs
.  
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What causes the 2005 Kia Sorento battery drain

What seems to be a common frustration among 2005 Kia Sorento owners is dealing with a
battery that won't hold a charge
. Kia Sorento owners find that their vehicle battery drains overnight or quickly over a short timeframe. 
While there is no magic solution that will make your battery woes disappear, there are some common solutions you can explore. 
If you notice that the battery light comes on while driving, that could signal that you’re having alternator issues and will need to repair or replace that component. The alternator’s job is to charge your Kia Sorento battery while you drive. If the alternator isn’t working, recharging doesn’t happen, leading to a dead battery after you park the car. 
You might have an auxiliary component causing parasitic drain or sucking power from your battery even though your vehicle is off. Check your interior and exterior lights (and your glove compartment light!) or any aftermarket accessories that are still powered up when your Sorento is powered down. 
If you can’t pin down a single component drawing power from your battery, consider checking your A/C relay. If the A/C relay has gone faulty, it isn’t switching power as it should, causing a drain on your battery. 

Fixing the 2005 Kia Sorento battery draining problem 

If you don’t have the right tools and technical experience, troubleshooting electrical issues can be a hassle. You can make life easier by taking your car to a trusted mechanic. When possible, leave your vehicle with the mechanic for a few days so that they can monitor your battery drain and test potential solutions. 
If the A/C relay causes parasitic drain, the solution could be as easy as replacing the relay, which usually costs between $32 and $127 depending on the shop—with most of the cost going towards labor. If you have electrical repair experience, you may want to buy the parts and do the replacement yourself. 
Here’s how to replace the A/C relay: 
  • Use the owner’s manual to locate the relay. You’ll likely find it under the dashboard, and you’ll need to open the car’s hood to access it. 
  • Remove the old relay—using gloves and a fuse puller if necessary
  • Install the new relay by aligning the terminals with the fuse box and pushing it in firmly. 
Say you’ve replaced the relay and the battery light is still on. Troubleshooting this problem can be a challenge, so here are some potential causes to inspect: 
  • If you’ve installed a light yet efficient battery but it still repeatedly dies, consider
    replacing your battery
    with a more durable option. 
  • A faulty alternator could be the culprit of your battery woes. You may need to
    repair or replace your alternator
    for a better charge. 
  • Checking your
    battery terminals
    could be the easiest solution: make sure cables are correctly connected and that there isn’t any corrosion or residue buildup that could affect your battery’s operation. 

How to save money on Kia insurance

Dealing with depleted batteries isn’t just frustrating—it can really deplete your bank account! Luckily, the
Jerry
app can help you keep more money in your wallet each month by helping you find cheaper
Kia car insurance costs
Many drivers don’t realize that you can shop for new rates before your policy is up for renewal. Our
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That’s a solid chunk of change! If you want to start saving, using Jerry is hands down the best way to go. 
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