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Starter Solenoid Does Not Click



Starter Solenoid Does Not Click

Diagnostic Instructions

* Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle (Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview) prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
* Review Strategy Based Diagnosis (Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview) for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
* Diagnostic Procedure Instructions (Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview) 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 (ME7/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 S terminal and engaging the starter solenoid.


Diagnostic Aids

* A misadjusted PNP switch (ME7/MN5) or shift control/range selector lever cable may result in a starter solenoid does not click condition.
* The scan tool will not communicate with the ECM or the TCM while the transmission inline 20-way connector (MH2) is disconnected.



Reference Information
Schematic Reference

* Starting and Charging Schematics ([1][2]Electrical Diagrams)
* Automatic Transmission Controls Schematics (MN5) (Electrical Diagrams)Automatic Transmission Controls Schematics (ME7) (Electrical Diagrams) (ME7/MN5)
* Automatic Transmission Controls Schematics (Electrical Diagrams) (MH2)
* Starting and Charging Schematics ([1][2]Electrical Diagrams)

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views (Connector Views)
Description and Operation

Starting System Description and Operation (Description and Operation)
Electrical Information Reference

* Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections (Component Tests and General Diagnostics)
* Circuit Testing (Component Tests and General Diagnostics)
* Wiring Repairs (Component Tests and General Diagnostics)
* Connector Repairs (Component Tests and General Diagnostics)

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References (Programming and Relearning) for Scan Tool Information


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 (LAT/LY7), or turn the ignition switch to the START position (LZ4). 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 (ME7/MN5)
1. Inspect the shift control cable for proper adjustment. Refer to Shift Control Cable Adjustment (Adjustments).
2. Inspect the PNP switch for proper adjustment. Refer to Park/Neutral Position Switch Replacement (4T45-E - Automatic Transaxle).
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.



PNP Switch Circuit Malfunction (MH2)
1. Inspect the range selector lever cable for proper adjustment. Refer to Range Selector Lever Cable Adjustment (Adjustments).
2. Ignition OFF. Disconnect the harness connector at the transmission inline 20-way connector.
3. Ignition ON. Measure voltage on the park/neutral signal circuit terminal 20 with a DMM. Verify that there is greater than 5 volts on the park/neutral signal circuit.

• If there is less than 5 volts on the park/neutral signal circuit, test the circuit for an open or a short to ground. If OK, replace the ECM.

4. Ignition OFF, remove the control valve body cover. Refer to Control Valve Body Cover Replacement (Control Valve Body Cover Replacement).
5. Connect the transmission inline 20-way connector.
6. Disconnect the internal mode switch connector at the control solenoid valve assembly.
7. Ignition ON, verify that the scan tool PNP Switch parameter displays In Gear.

• If not the specified value, replace the ECM.

8. Connect a 3-amp fused jumper wire between the park/neutral signal terminal F at the control solenoid valve assembly and ground. The scan tool PNP Switch parameter should display Park/Neutral when the terminal is connected to ground.

• If not the specified value, replace the ECM.

9. If all components test normal, test or replace the internal mode 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 (LAT/LY7), or turn the ignition switch between the START and RUN positions (LZ4). 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 S 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 (LAT/LY7), or turn the ignition switch to the START position (LZ4). 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 (ME7/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.




STARTER RELAY Relay
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the STARTER 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.

* Shift Control Cable Adjustment (Adjustments) (ME7/MN5)
* Range Selector Lever Cable Adjustment (Adjustments) (MH2)
* Relay Replacement (Attached to Wire Harness) (Relay Replacement (Attached to Wire Harness))Relay Replacement (Within an Electrical Center) (Relay Replacement (Within an Electrical Center))
* Park/Neutral Position Switch Replacement (4T45-E - Automatic Transaxle) (ME7/MN5)
* Manual Shift Detent Lever with Shaft Position Switch Assembly and Park Pawl Actuator Removal (Overhaul) (MH2)
* Manual Shift Detent Lever with Shaft Position Switch Assembly and Park Pawl Actuator Installation (Overhaul) (MH2)
* Starter Motor Replacement (LAT) (Service and Repair)Starter Motor Replacement (LZ4) (Service and Repair)Starter Motor Replacement (LY7) (Service and Repair)
* Underhood Electrical Center or Junction Block Replacement (LAT) (Underhood Electrical Center or Junction Block Replacement)Underhood Electrical Center or Junction Block Replacement (LY7, LZ4) (Underhood Electrical Center or Junction Block Replacement)
* Control Module References (Programming and Relearning) for ECM replacement, setup and programming


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