GROUP
ENG

MODEL
2018MY
Sportage (QL)

NUMBER
DATE
180 (Rev 1, 1/25/2018) December 2017

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
SERVICE ACTION: 2.4L ENGINE START
LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA320)

SUBJECT:

 NOTICE
This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised
sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area.
This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the Electronic Control Unit (ECU)
on some 2018MY Sportage (QL) vehicles, produced from April 3, 2017 to August 9, 2017,
which may intermittently experience an extended cranking condition. To correct this concern,
apply the improved logic to the ECU using the KDS ECU Upgrade function as described in this
bulletin. For confirmation that the latest reflash has been applied to a vehicle you are working
on, verify the ROM ID using the table on pages 2-3 of this bulletin. Kia is requesting the
completion of this Service Action on all affected vehicles in dealer stock, prior to delivery.
Before conducting the procedure, verify that the vehicle is included in the list of affected VINs.

Kia Diagnostic System (KDS)

 NOTICE

A Service Action is a repair program without customer notification that is performed
during the warranty period. Any dealer requesting to perform this repair outside the
warranty period will require DPSM approval.
Repair status for a VIN is provided on WebDCS (Service → Warranty Coverage →
Warranty Coverage Inquiry → Campaign Information). Not completed Recall / Service
Action reports are available on WebDCS (Consumer Affairs → Not Completed Recall
→ Recall VIN → Select Report), which includes a list of affected vehicles.
This issue number is SA320.
File Under:
Circulate To:

X General Manager


X Service Advisors


X Technicians


X Service Manager


X Parts Manager


X Body Shop Manager  Fleet Repair


Page 2 of 8

SERVICE ACTION: 2.4L ENGINE START
LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA320)

SUBJECT:

ECU Upgrade Procedure:
To correct this condition, the ECU should be reprogrammed using the KDS
download, as described in this bulletin.
Upgrade Event Name
356. QL 2.4 ECU ENGINE START LOGIC IMPROVEMENT

 NOTICE









A fully charged battery is necessary before ECU upgrade can take place. It is
recommended that the Midtronics GR8-1299 system be used in ECU mode during
charging. DO NOT connect any other battery charger to the vehicle during ECU
upgrade.
All ECU upgrades must be done with the ignition key in the ‘ON’ position.
Be careful not to disconnect the VCI-II connected to the vehicle during the ECU
upgrade procedure.
DO NOT start the engine during ECU upgrade.
DO NOT turn the ignition key ‘OFF’ or interrupt the power supply during ECU
upgrade.
When the ECU upgrade is completed, turn the ignition ‘OFF’ and wait 10 seconds
before starting the engine.
ONLY use approved ECU upgrade software designated for the correct model,
year.

 NOTICE
Before attempting an ECU upgrade on any Kia model, make sure to first determine
whether the particular model is equipped with an immobilizer security system.
Failure to follow proper procedures may cause the PCM to become inoperative after
the upgrade and any claims associated with this repair may be subject to
chargeback.
ROM ID INFORMATION TABLE:
Upgrade Event #356
Model

EM

TM

IMMO

ECU P/No.
39100 2GHR6

Yes (+)
39100 2GHS6
QL 2.4L

ULEV

A/T
39100 2GHS1
No (-)
39100 2GHT1

TSB: SA320 Sportage (QL) December 2017

ROM ID
Previous
QLDINC4ERC3A
QLDINC4ERCAA
QLDINC4ERCAB
QLDINC4ERC3K
QLDINC4ERCAK
QLDINC4ERCAM
QLDINC4EMC3A
QLDINC4EMCAA
QLDINC4EMCAB
QLDINC4EMC3K
QLDINC4EMCAK
QLDINC4EMCAM

New
QLDINC4ERD5A

QLDINC4ERD5K

QLDINC4EMD5A

QLDINC4EMD5K

Page 3 of 8

SERVICE ACTION: 2.4L ENGINE START
LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA320)

SUBJECT:

Model

EM

TM

IMMO

ECU P/No.

ROM ID
Previous

New

QLDINS4ERC3A
39100-2GHT6
QLDINS4ERCAA
QLDINS4ERD5A
QLDINS4ERCAB
Yes (+)
QLDINS4ERC3K
39100-2GHV6
QLDINS4ERD5K
QLDINS4ERCAK
QLDINS4ERCAM
QL 2.4L
SULEV
A/T
QLDINS4EMC3A
39100-2GHV1
QLDINS4EMCAA
QLDINS4EMD5A
QLDINS4EMCAB
No (-)
QLDINS4EMC3K
39100-2GHW1
QLDINS4EMD5K
QLDINS4EMCAK
QLDINS4EMCAM
To verify the vehicle is affected, be sure to check the Calibration Identification of the vehicle's ECM
ROM ID and reference the Information Table as necessary.

 NOTICE
Prior to performing the ECU upgrade, be sure to check that the KDS is fully charged.
1.

Connect the VCI-II to the OBD-II
connector, located under the driver’s side
of the instrument panel.

 NOTICE
The ECU upgrade function on
KDS operates wirelessly. It is
not necessary to perform the
upgrade via USB cable.

2.

With the ignition ON, turn ON the KDS
tablet. Select KDS from the home
screen.

TSB: SA320 Sportage (QL) December 2017

Page 4 of 8

SERVICE ACTION: 2.4L ENGINE START
LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA320)

SUBJECT:

3.

Confirm communication with VCI (A) and
then configure the vehicle (B) using the
AUTO VIN (C) feature.

B
A

C
4.

Select ECU Upgrade.

5.

The KDS will check the server for
recently uploaded Events and then
automatically download Upgrade Event
#356.

 NOTICE
The vehicle must be identified in
Vehicle Selection to download
an Event for that vehicle.

6.

Select Auto Mode.

CAUTION
Do NOT attempt to perform a
Manual Mode upgrade UNLESS
Auto Mode fails. Always follow
the instructions given on the
KDS in either Auto or Manual
mode.

TSB: SA320 Sportage (QL) December 2017

KDS screenshot shown above is for
demonstration purposes only. Events shown in
screenshot are not applicable to this bulletin.

Page 5 of 8
SUBJECT:

7.

SERVICE ACTION: 2.4L ENGINE START
LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA320)

Select the Engine system under the
System selection menu.

D

Touch ID Check (D) and confirm that the
latest update is available.
Select Upgrade Event #356 and select
Upgrade to continue.

8.

The ECU upgrade will begin and the
progress of the upgrade will appear on
the bar graph. Upgrade part (1/2) (E) will
download the upgrade event to the VCIII. Upgrade part (2/2) (F) will upgrade the
ECU.

CAUTION

E

F

Do not touch the system
buttons (like ‘Back’, ‘Home’,
‘etc.’) while performing ECU
Upgrade.
9.

If a “Communication Fail” screen
appears, verify that the VCI-II and KDS
are communicating properly. Touch OK
and restart the procedure from step 4.

 NOTICE
If an error notice continues to
appear or if the upgrade cannot
be performed, contact Techline
or GIT America Help Desk.
10. When instructed on the KDS, turn the
ignition OFF for ten (10) seconds then
back on. Touch OK to continue.

TSB: SA320 Sportage (QL) December 2017

Page 6 of 8
SUBJECT:

SERVICE ACTION: 2.4L ENGINE START
LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA320)

11. Once the upgrade is complete, touch OK
to finalize the procedure.

12. When prompted, select YES to check for
Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) and
erase any DTCs stored such as EPS,
ESC, and TPMS that may have been set
during the upgrade.

13. Start the engine to confirm proper
operation of the vehicle.

TSB: SA320 Sportage (QL) December 2017

Page 7 of 8

SERVICE ACTION: 2.4L ENGINE START
LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA320)

SUBJECT:

Manual Upgrade Procedure:

 NOTICE
The manual upgrade should ONLY be performed if the automatic upgrade fails.
If the automatic upgrade fails, turn the ignition OFF for about 10 seconds then place
it back in the ON position to reset the control unit BEFORE performing manual
upgrade.
See table below for Manual Mode passwords.
Manual Mode ECU Upgrade Passwords
Menu

Password
0021
0022

QL 2.4GDI ULEV -IMMO : 39100-2GHS1
QL 2.4GDI ULEV -IMMO : 39100-2GHT1
QL 2.4GDI ULEV +IMMO/SMK : 39100-2GHR6
QL 2.4GDI ULEV +IMMO/SMK : 39100-2GHS6
QL 2.4GDI SULEV -IMMO : 39100-2GHV1
QL 2.4GDI SULEV -IMMO : 39100-2GHW1

0026
0027
0023
0024
0028
0029

QL 2.4GDI SULEV +IMMO/SMK : 39100-2GHT6
QL 2.4GDI SULEV +IMMO/SMK : 39100-2GHV6

1.

Within the ECU Upgrade screen displayed, select Manual Mode.

2.

Select the Engine system under the System selection menu. Select Upgrade Event
#356 and select Upgrade to continue.

3.

Select the appropriate control unit part number with reference to the ROM ID Information
Table on pages 2-3, and select OK.

4.

Enter the appropriate password from the Manual Mode password table above and select
OK.

5.

The upgrade will begin and the progress of the upgrade will appear on the bar graph.

6.

When instructed on the KDS, turn the ignition OFF for ten (10) seconds then back on.
Touch OK to continue.

7.

Once the upgrade is complete, touch OK to finalize the procedure.

8.

When prompted, select YES to check for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) and erase any
DTCs stored such as EPS, ESC, and TPMS that may have been set during the upgrade.

9.

Start the engine to confirm proper operation of the vehicle.

TSB: SA320 Sportage (QL) December 2017

Page 8 of 8

SERVICE ACTION: 2.4L ENGINE START
LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA320)

SUBJECT:

AFFECTED VEHICLE RANGE:
Model

Production Date Range

Sportage (QL)

April 3, 2017 to August 9, 2017

WARRANTY INFORMATION:
N Code: N99 C Code: C99
Claim
Type

Causal P/N

Qty.

Repair
Description

Labor Op
Code

Op
Time

Replacement
P/N

Qty.

V

39100 2GHR6

0

(SA320)
2.4L Engine Start
Logic Improvement

170110R0

0.3
M/H

N/A

0

 NOTICE
VIN inquiry data for this repair is provided for tracking purposes only. Kia retailers
should reference SA320 when accessing the WebDCS system.

TSB: SA320 Sportage (QL) December 2017