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Starter Solenoid Does Not Click



Starter Solenoid Does Not Click

Diagnostic Instructions

* Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure. Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview
* Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
* Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

Diagnostic Fault Information






Circuit/System Description

The engine control module (ECM) controls engine cranking based on a power mode input and the status of the park/neutral position (PNP) switch. With the transmission in Park/Neutral, voltage at the ECM PNP switch signal circuit is low (M15/MN5), or high (MH2). This indicates to the ECM that conditions are acceptable for cranking. When a power mode crank request is seen, the ECM applies voltage to the starter relay coil control circuit. This energizes the coil side of the relay, which pulls the switch side of the relay closed, applying voltage to the starter X1-A terminal and engaging the starter solenoid.

Diagnostic Aids

A misadjusted PNP switch (MN5) or shift control/range selector lever cable may result in a starter solenoid does not click condition.

Circuit/System Verification

1. Ignition ON, transmission in Park or Neutral. Observe the PNP Switch parameter with a scan tool, in Engine Control Module, Data Display, Engine Data. Verify that the scan tool PNP Switch parameter is Park/Neutral.

• If the scan tool PNP Switch parameter is not Park/Neutral, refer to Circuit/System Testing: PNP Switch Circuit Malfunction.

2. Command the Starter Relay ON with the scan tool (LE5/LZ4/LZ9), or turn the ignition switch to the START position (LY7). The starter solenoid should engage and the engine should crank.

• If the solenoid does not engage, refer to Circuit/System Testing: Start Relay Circuit Malfunction.
• If the solenoid engages but the engine does not crank, refer to Starter Solenoid Clicks, Engine Does Not Crank. Starter Solenoid Clicks, Engine Does Not Crank

Circuit/System Testing

PNP Switch Circuit Malfunction (M15)
1. Inspect the shift control cable for proper adjustment.
2. Ignition OFF. Disconnect the harness connector at the transmission inline 20-way connector.
3. Ignition ON. Probe the ground circuit terminal K with a test lamp that is connected to B+. Verify that the test lamp illuminates.

• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.

4. Verify that the scan tool PNP Switch parameter is In Gear.

• If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal W for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.

5. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the ground circuit terminal K and the signal circuit terminal W. Verify that the scan tool PNP Switch parameter is Park/Neutral.

• If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.

6. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the internal mode switch.

PNP Switch Circuit Malfunction (MH2)
1. Inspect the range selector lever cable for proper adjustment.
2. Ignition OFF. Disconnect the harness connector at the transmission inline 20-way connector.
3. Ignition ON. Probe the B+ circuits terminals 10 and 19 with a test lamp that is connected to ground. Verify that the test lamp illuminates.

• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the appropriate B+ circuit for an open/high resistance.

4. Verify that the scan tool PNP Switch parameter is In Gear.

• If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal 20 for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.

5. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the B+ circuit terminal 19 and the signal circuit terminal 20. Verify that the scan tool PNP Switch parameter is Park/Neutral.

• If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.

6. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the shift position switch.

PNP Switch Circuit Malfunction (MN5)
1. Inspect the shift control cable for proper adjustment.
2. Inspect the PNP switch for proper adjustment.
3. Ignition OFF. Disconnect the harness connector at the PNP switch.
4. Ignition ON. Probe the ground circuit terminal 1 with a test lamp that is connected to B+. Verify that the test lamp illuminates.

• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.

5. Verify that the scan tool PNP Switch parameter is In Gear.

• If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal 12 for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.

6. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the ground circuit terminal 1 and the signal circuit terminal 12. Verify that the scan tool PNP Switch parameter is Park/Neutral.

• If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.

7. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the PNP switch.

Start Relay Circuit Malfunction
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the START relay.
2. Ignition ON, transmission in Park/Neutral. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the relay coil ground circuit terminal and B+.

• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.

3. Probe the START Relay switch B+ circuit terminal with a test lamp that is connected to ground. Verify that the test lamp illuminates.

• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal and the STRTR fuse is open, test the relay controlled output circuit for a short to ground.

4. Connect a test lamp between the relay coil ground circuit terminal and the relay coil control circuit terminal.

Important: The engine may begin to crank.

5. Ignition ON, transmission in Park/Neutral. Command the Starter Relay ON and OFF with a scan tool (LE5/LZ4/LZ9), or turn the ignition switch between the START and RUN positions (LYZ). The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.

• If the test lamp is always ON, test the relay coil control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
• If the test lamp is always OFF, test the relay coil control circuit for a short to ground or and open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.

6. Connect the START relay.
7. Install a test lamp between the starter X1-A terminal and ground.

Important: The engine may begin to crank.

8. Ignition ON, transmission in Park/Neutral, command the Starter Relay ON with a scan tool (LE5/LZ4/LZ9), or turn the ignition switch to the START position (LYZ). The test lamp should illuminate.

• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the relay controlled output circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the START relay.

9. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the starter.

Component Testing

PNP Switch (MN5)
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the PNP switch.
2. With the PNP switch in the following positions, test for infinite resistance between the ground terminal 1 and the signal terminal 12.

* R
* OD
* D
* 2
* 1

• If not the specified value, replace the PNP switch.

3. With the PNP switch in the following positions, test for less than 2.0 ohms between the ground terminal 1 and the signal terminal 12.

* P
* N

• If greater than the specified range, replace the PNP switch.

CRANK Relay
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the START relay.
2. Test for 60-180 ohms between terminals 85 and 86.

• If not within the specified range, replace the relay.

3. Test for infinite resistance between the following terminals:

* 30 and 86
* 30 and 87
* 30 and 85
* 85 and 87

• If not the specified value, replace the relay.

4. Install a 20 amp fused jumper wire between relay terminal 85 and 12 volts. Install a jumper wire between relay terminal 86 and ground. Test for less than 2.0 ohms between terminals 30 and 87.

• If greater than specified range, replace the relay.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure. Verification Tests

* Range Selector Lever Cable Adjustment (M15) for the automatic transaxle - 4T65-E
* Range Selector Lever Cable Adjustment (MH2) for the automatic transmission - 6T70/6T75
* Shift Control Cable Adjustment (MN5) for the automatic transaxle - 4T45-E
* Relay Replacement (Attached to Wire Harness) Relay Replacement (Within an Electrical Center)
* Manual Shift Detent Lever with Shaft Position Switch Assembly Removal (M15) for the automatic transaxle - 4T65-E
* Manual Shift Detent Lever with Shaft Position Switch Assembly Installation (M15) for the automatic transaxle - 4T65-E
* Manual Shift Detent Lever with Shaft Position Switch Assembly and Park Pawl Actuator Removal (MH2) for the automatic transmission - 6T70/6T75
* Manual Shift Detent Lever with Shaft Position Switch Assembly and Park Pawl Actuator Installation (MH2) for the automatic transmission - 6T70/6T75
* Park/Neutral Position Switch Replacement (MN5) for the automatic transaxle - 4T45-E
* Starter Motor Replacement (LE5) Starter Motor Replacement (LY7) Starter Motor Replacement (LZ9) Starter Motor Replacement (LZ4)
* Underhood Electrical Center or Junction Block Replacement

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