Starter Inhibit Relay Circuit Diagnosis

Circuit Description

The PCM has the ability to disable starter operation if conditions inappropriate for starter operation exist. The PCM disables the starter if the engine is running, if a correct antitheft password is not received or if the vehicle operator attempts to engage the starter for an extended period of time.

The PCM controlled starter system consists of the following components:

^ Crank relay.
^ The Transaxle Range / Park Neutral Position switch.
^ The ignition switch.
^ The starter solenoid.
^ The PCM.

Diagnostic Aids

The PCM Controlled Starter Diagnosis table is intended to identify electrical malfunctions that can occur with the system. For additional system diagnosis, refer to Starting System Check in Staring and Charging / Starting System / Testing and Inspection.

Either of the following conditions can cause the PCM to disable starter operation:

^ The engine has been running for longer than 10 seconds.
^ The starter has been continuously engaged for longer than 15 seconds.
^ A correct antitheft password has not been received.

Check for the following conditions:

Important: Remove any debris from the connector surfaces before servicing a component. Inspect the connector gaskets when diagnosing or replacing a component. Ensure that the gaskets are installed correctly. The gaskets prevent contaminate intrusion.

^ Poor terminal connection.
Inspect the harness connectors for backed out terminals, improper mating, broken locks, improperly formed or damaged terminals, and faulty terminal to wire connection. Use a corresponding mating terminal to test for proper tension. Refer to Diagrams.
^ Damaged harness.
Inspect the wiring harness for damage. If the harness appears to be OK, observe the sensor display on the scan tool while moving connectors and wiring harnesses related to the sensor. A change in the sensor display may indicate the location of the fault.
^ Inspect the PCM and the engine grounds for clean and secure connections.

If the DTC is determined to be intermittent, reviewing the Fail Records can be useful in determining when the DTC was last set.

Test Description

Number(s) below refer to step number(s) in the diagnostic table:

2. If the engine cranks with the vehicle ignition switch in the off position, there are three possible malfunction areas: malfunction Crank Relay, a short to voltage in the starter feed circuit, or a short to voltage in the starter enable circuit.
4. Determines if the starter feed or the starter enable control circuit is shorted to voltage. If the engine does not crank with the relay removed, then the relay or the starter enable circuit is suspect.
16. Checks for proper ignition positive voltage on the starter enable control circuit.
17. Checks for proper current draw through the relay. Excess current will cause an inoperative PCM driver circuit.
30. This vehicle is equipped with a PCM which utilizes an Electrically Erasable Read only Memory (EEPROM). When the PCM is being replaced, the new PCM must be programmed.