The 2002 Kia Rio, with its 1.5-liter engine, has a starter mounted low on the driver's side of the engine. In production since 2000, the Rio has gone through a couple changes. The 2000 to 2005 model years were first-generation cars, while the 2006 and later are second generation, but the changes between them are mostly cosmetic in nature. The Dual Overhead Cam 1.5-liter engine, with its 96-horsepower output, is the only engine available in the Rio for the 2002 model year.
Open the hood of your Rio and locate the negative battery cable end where it attaches to the negative battery terminal. Loosen the clamp bolt on the cable end with a wrench, then carefully remove the cable from the battery. Isolate it from the battery while you are working.
Raise the front of your Kia off the ground with a jack. Make sure it is high enough to work under, then position a set of jack stands under the front suspension to support the car.
Position yourself under the passenger's side of the car and locate the starter on the engine. The Rio has a support bracket under the starter that you need to remove before you can remove the starter. Remove the four bolts on the bracket with a socket and ratchet, then set the bolts and bracket aside.
Locate the wiring connections on the back of the starter solenoid. There are two connectors on the starter: the "B" terminal, which is a large stud and nut terminal at the top center of the solenoid, and the "ST" terminal, a push-on fitting on the outboard edge of the solenoid and slightly below the "B" terminal.
Grasp the push-on connector with your fingers and pull it straight off the terminal. Lay it aside for now. Reach up to the "B" terminal with a ratchet and socket and remove the nut, then slide the wire off the stud.
Move to the front of the starter and remove the three mounting bolts that secure it to the bell housing with a socket and ratchet. Slide the starter back from the bell housing, making sure the nose cone fully clears the housing. Lower the starter out of the engine compartment.
Raise the new starter into the engine compartment and slide the nose cone into the hole in the bell housing. Install the three mounting bolts and tighten them to 35 pound-feet with a torque wrench.
Install the large wire you removed from the "B" terminal on the old starter to the "B" terminal on the new starter followed by the retaining nut. Tighten the nut with a socket and ratchet until it is snug. Be careful to not overtighten the nut or you will crack the plastic on the solenoid.
Position the bracket under the starter and install the four retaining bolts. Tighten the bolts to 35 pound-feet with a torque wrench.
Push the hard plastic connector on the second wire onto the "ST" terminal, making sure it seats completely. Move out from under the car and raise it off the jack stands with the jack. Remove the jack stands from under the car and lower the car to the ground.
Connect the negative battery cable end to the negative battery terminal. Tighten the clamp bolt on the cable end with a wrench. Test the repair by starting the car.
