Q: 2008 Kia Sportage had extremely low or no oil or radiator fluid a day after ECM replacement and sensor lights did not come on.

asked by on January 18, 2017

I took my 2008 Kia Sportage to the dealership because of the ECM recall. A day later my engine was making a "ticking" sound and I found that the oil was almost dry...the radiator was almost empty as well. Would they have drained these fluids to replace the ECM? And why would my oil sensor light and check engine light not have come on?

My car has 120000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Oil/Fluid Leak Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

ECM replacement does not implicate the engine lubrication or cooling systems. It is possible the fluid levels were already low when the vehicle was presented for service although admittedly it is also possible to envision a scenario where a shop employee "mistakenly" performed service on those components (i.e., worked on the wrong car) and, at the same time, forgot to add back the required fluids to your car. But, that is unlikely and you would have to try to judge the circumstances for yourself based on your first hand knowledge of the shop. If you do suspect leaks, at your request YourMechanic can perform a leak diagnostic. As far as the warning lights not illuminating, the oil pressure switch could be defective or you might have had more oil than you thought and so the oil pressure simply did not drop below the threshold designed into the switch. A vehicle can run normally if coolant is somewhat low. Consequently, there again, if you did not notice overheating you may have had "just enough" coolant so that an episode of overheating dd not occur. Based on what you are describing, there would have been no reason for the check engine light to illuminate. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Does an Aftermarket Exhaust System Benefit My Car?
An aftermarket exhaust system (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-are-the-benefits-of-an-aftermarket-exhaust-system) MAY be of some benefit to your vehicle. One of the most restrictive and power-robbing systems on cars today is the exhaust system. Having a free-flowing exhaust system and being able to get all of...
the lights on my dash board do not work and my gas gauge always says its empty with the gas light on even though i fill up my tank
Hi. It sounds like your instrument panel cluster or IPC needs to be rebuilt or replaced. Over time, the bulbs eventually burn out as do the bulbs in your lights at home. The gauge's movement is controlled by an electronic...
Brake lights staying on
The brake light switch has a small rubber bumper that pushes in on it to keep the light off. The rubber bumper falls apart with age and then the brake lights stay on. The bumper on the brake pedal linkage...
Getting error code P0128
This code is a sign that the engine did not get to operating temperature in a specified amount of time and the computer turns on the Check Engine Light. The most common problem is that the engine thermostat is partly...
Getting code P0303
If you have already taken the first step of getting your codes scanned, the next thing to do would be to have an ignition test performed by a qualified technician. Attempting to do this yourself could result in being shocked...
Brake issue and brake lights on - 2014 Infiniti Q50
Hello. It sounds like the pedal is either binding or this is being caused by a bad brake switch (more common). When the switch fails it can cause this to occur. This should be covered under warranty since your vehicle...
Speed sensor keeps going bad and Check Engine Light is on.
This may potentially be related to a faulty transmission control module. As you may know, every time a gear change is required, the car's computer activates a transmission solenoid, which directs transmission fluid into the valve body to engage the...
Clutch replacement price estimate? 2007 Honda Accord
Hi there - unfortunately clutch replacement is not a service YourMechanic offers at this time. Thanks for thinking of us though!
Brakes making a grinding noise after car is in reverse. And put it in drive brakes grind for about 2 car lenghts then a thud
It sounds like the caliper brackets may have been misaligned when replaced. Some brake calipers are designed to "float" meaning they will slide along a small path to allow for movement in the wheels when changing gears or shifting movement...

Related articles

How to Buy a Good Quality Camshaft Position Sensor
The The camshaft position sensor is a vital part of your engine’s ability to function properly. It detects the position, speed, acceleration and deceleration of the camshaft, which regulates the injection of fuel into the engine. In order to make...
Signs Your AC Needs to Be Recharged
If you feel the AC is not cooling as much as usual, cannot hear the AC clutch engaging, and see refrigerant leaks, you may have to recharge your AC.
How to Replace a Condenser Fan Relay
A condenser fan relay operates the fan that removes heat from the engine. If faulty, it will not allow the A/C to blow cool air or function at all.