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Starter Solenoid Does Not Click



Starter Solenoid Does Not Click

Diagnostic Instructions

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

Diagnostic Fault Information





Circuit/System Description

When the ignition switch is placed in the START position, a discrete signal is supplied to the body control module (BCM), notifying it that the ignition is in the START position. The BCM sends the power mode to the engine control module (ECM) via the serial data circuit. The engine control module (ECM) controls engine cranking based on the power mode, the status of the park/neutral position (PNP) switch, and other data. With the transmission in Park/Neutral, voltage at the ECM PNP switch signal circuit is low. 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 X2-S terminal and engaging the starter solenoid.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Starting and Charging Schematics ([1][2]Electrical Diagrams)

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views (Component Connector End Views)

Description and Operation

Starting System Description and Operation (Description and Operation)

Electrical Information Reference
* Circuit Testing (Circuit Testing)
* Connector Repairs (Connector Repairs)
* Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections (Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections)
* Wiring Repairs (Wiring Repairs)

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References (Control Module References) for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification

1. Ignition ON. Verify that no starter relay, theft deterrent, or automatic transmission DTCs are set that would cause the ECM to disable starting.

• If DTCs are set, refer to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle (Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle).

2. Ignition ON. Observe the scan tool ECM Crank Request Signal parameter. Place ignition switch in the crank position. The parameter should display Yes.

• If not the specified value, refer to Power Mode Mismatch (Power Mode Mismatch).

3. Transmission range selector in park. Verify the scan tool ECM PNP Switch parameter displays Park/Neutral.

• If the ECM PNP Switch parameter does not indicate Park/Neutral, go to CIrcuit/System Testing: PNP Switch Circuit Malfunction.

4. Transmission range selector in park or neutral. Attempt to start the vehicle. The starter relay should click and the engine should begin cranking.

• If the crank relay does not click or the engine does not crank, go to CIrcuit/System Testing: Starter Relay Circuit Malfunction.

Circuit/System Testing

Starter Relay Circuit Malfunction
1. Ignition OFF. Disconnect the starter relay.
2. Test for less than 1 ohm between the ground circuit terminal 85 and ground.

• If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.

3. Ignition ON. Verify a test lamp illuminates between the relay switch B+ circuit terminal 30 and ground.

• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.

4. Ensure the parking brake is applied and the transmission is in PARK. Momentarily install a 40 A fused jumper wire between the B+ circuit terminal 30 and the control output circuit terminal 87. The starter solenoid should engage and the engine should begin cranking.

• If the solenoid does not engage, test the control output circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the starter motor.

5. Connect a test lamp between the coil control circuit terminal 86 and the coil ground circuit terminal 85.
6. With the transmission range selector in park or neutral, cycle the ignition key between the OFF and CRANK position. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.

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

7. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the starter relay.

PNP Switch Circuit Malfunction
1. Inspect the range selector lever cable for proper adjustment. Refer to Range Selector Lever Cable Adjustment (Adjustments).
2. Inspect the PNP switch for proper adjustment. Refer to Park/Neutral Position Switch Adjustment (Adjustments).
3. Ignition OFF. Disconnect the harness connector at the PNP switch. Refer to Park/Neutral Position Switch Replacement (Service and Repair).
4. Ignition ON. Probe the ignition circuit terminal 12 with a test lamp that is connected to ground. Verify that the test lamp illuminates.

• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ignition 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 1 for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.

6. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal 1 and the ignition 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.

Component Testing

PNP Switch
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 signal terminal 1 and the ignition 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 signal terminal 1 and the ignition terminal 12.

* P
* N

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

STRTR Relay
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the STRTR 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 (Verification Tests) after completing the diagnostic procedure.

* Relay Replacement (Attached to Wire Harness) (Relay Replacement (Attached to Wire Harness))Relay Replacement (Within an Electrical Center) (Relay Replacement (Within an Electrical Center))
* Starter Motor Replacement (4.2L Engine) ()Starter Motor Replacement (5.3L Engine) (Service and Repair)
* Park/Neutral Position Switch Replacement (Service and Repair)
* Control Module References (Control Module References) for ECM replacement, setup and programming

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