Sportage 2WD L4-2.0L DOHC (1996)
Spare Tire Carrier: Technical Service Bulletins
Tires - Spare Tire Carrier Icing
SOURCE: Kia Technician Times
TITLE: Spare Tire Carrier Icing
APPLIES TO: Sportage
SERVICE TIP:
CONDITION
In wet, freezing temperatures, the spare tire carrier release cable and/or latch may not operate. If this occurs, the spare tire carrier latch mechanism
cannot be released and the rear hatch cannot be opened.
CAUSE
Water enters the cable sheath and freezes to the release cable. When this happens, the release cable will not slide inside the cable sheath so the spare
tire carrier release will not work. Also, in some cases, if enough ice forms on the spare tire carrier latch mechanism it will freeze in the locked
position. If this occurs, the spare tire carrier release cable can be damaged if excessive force is used trying to open carrier.
CORRECTIVE ACTION
From 2/1/99 production, the factory added grease to the cable with a freezing specification of -30°C. From 11/1/98, the cable wire was changed to
stainless, and the cable sheath plating was improved. From 3/10/99 production, a seal is to be added to the knob end of the cable and a rubber cover
will be added to the latch end of the cable. For current vehicles experiencing these problems, it is recommended that a heavy low temperature grease
be applied to both ends of the cable sheath and to the latch mechanism to reduce ice formation.
