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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 clutch pedal position (CPP) sensor (Getrag M86 / Saab MU3), or the park/neutral position (PNP) switch (MN5 4T45-E). With the transmission in Park/Neutral, voltage at the ECM PNP switch signal circuit is low, or the CPP signal circuit indicates that the clutch pedal is pressed. This indicates to the ECM that conditions are acceptable for cranking. When a power mode crank request is seen, the ECM provides 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 S terminal and engaging the starter solenoid.

Diagnostic Aids

A misadjusted PNP switch or clutch pedal position sensor not learned may result in a starter solenoid does not click condition.

Circuit/System Verification

Automatic Transmission (MN5)

1. Verify that there are no engine, transmission, or theft DTCs set that would cause the ECM to disable engine cranking.

• If any DTC are set that would cause the ECM to disable engine cranking, go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle. Diagnostic Trouble Code Descriptions

2. 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, go to Circuit/System Testing: PNP Switch Circuit Malfunction.

3. Command the Starter Relay ON with a scan tool (LE5/LNF), or turn the ignition switch to the START position (L61). The starter solenoid should engage and the engine should crank.

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

Manual Transmission (M86/MU3)

1. Verify that there are no engine, clutch pedal, or theft DTCs set that would cause the ECM to disable engine cranking.

• If any DTC are set that would cause the ECM to disable engine cranking, go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle. Diagnostic Trouble Code Descriptions

2. Ignition ON. Observe the CPP Sensor and the CPP Learn Status parameters with a scan tool, in Engine Control Module, Data Display, Manual Transmission Data. Verify that the scan tool CPP Sensor parameter changes as expected when the clutch pedal is pressed and released, and that the CPP Learn Status is Complete.

• If not the specified value, go to Clutch Pedal Position Sensor Learn (MU3) or Clutch Pedal Position Sensor Learn (M86). Component Tests and General Diagnostics

3. Command the Starter Relay ON with a scan tool (LE5/LNF), or turn the ignition switch to the START position (L61). The starter solenoid should engage and the engine should crank.

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

Circuit/System Testing

PNP Switch Circuit Malfunction (MN5)

1. Inspect the PNP switch for proper adjustment.
2. Ignition OFF. Disconnect the harness connector at the PNP switch.
3. 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 1 circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal and the PRK/NEUT fuse is open, test the signal circuit terminal 1 for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.

4. 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 voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.

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

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

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

Crank Relay Circuit Malfunction

1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the CRANK relay. Refer to Relay Replacement (Attached to Wire Harness) Relay Replacement (Within an Electrical Center).
2. Ignition ON, transmission in Park/Neutral (MN5) or clutch pedal pressed (M86/MU3). Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the relay coil ignition circuit terminal and ground.

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

3. Probe the CRNK Relay switch B+ circuit terminal 30 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+ circuits for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal and the CRANK 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 85 and the relay coil control circuit terminal 86.

Important: The engine may begin to crank.

5. Ignition ON, transmission in Park/Neutral (MN5) or clutch pedal pressed (M86/MU3). Command the Starter Relay ON and OFF with a scan tool (LE5/LNF), or turn the ignition switch between the START and RUN positions (L61). 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 an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.

6. Connect the CRNK relay.
7. Install a test lamp between the starter S terminal and ground.

Important: The engine may begin to crank.

8. Ignition ON, transmission in Park/Neutral (MN5) or clutch pedal pressed (M86/MU3). Command the Starter Relay ON with a scan tool (LE5/LNF), or turn the ignition switch to the START position (L61). 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 CRANK relay.

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

Component Testing

PNP Switch (MN5 4T45-E)

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 ignition terminal 12 and the signal terminal 1.

* 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 ohm between the ignition terminal 12 and the signal terminal 1.

* P
* N

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

CRANK Relay

1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the CRNK relay.
2. Test for 60-180 ohm 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 ohm 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

* Clutch Pedal Position Sensor Learn Getrag manual transmission (M86)
* Clutch Pedal Position Sensor Learn Saab manual transmission (MU3)
* Park/Neutral Position Switch Adjustment 4T45-E automatic transmission (MN5)
* Park/Neutral Position Switch Replacement 4T45-E automatic transmission (MN5)
* Relay Replacement (Attached to Wire Harness) Relay Replacement (Within an Electrical Center)
* Starter Motor Replacement (RPOs L61/LE5)
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