Starter Solenoid Does Not Click L26/3.8L
Diagnostic Instructions
| • | Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure. |
| • | 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 | Short to Ground | Open/High Resistance | Short to Voltage | Signal Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
PCM Park Neutral Signal | 2 | 1 | 1 | -- |
Relay Control Circuit Terminal 86 | 3 | 1 | 1 | -- |
Relay Coil Voltage Supply Circuit Terminal 85 | -- | 1 | -- | -- |
Relay Control Output Circuit Terminal 87 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -- |
Relay Switch Voltage Supply Circuit Terminal 30 | 1 | 1 | -- | -- |
| ||||
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 then sends a message to the powertrain control module (PCM) that crank has been requested. The PCM then verifies that the transmission is in Park or Neutral. If it is, the PCM then supplies a ground to the control circuit of the starter relay. When this occurs, battery voltage is supplied through the switch of the starter relay to the starter solenoid.
Reference Information
Schematic Reference
Starting and Charging Schematics
Connector End View Reference
Description and Operation
Starting System Description and Operation
Electrical Information Reference
Scan Tool Reference
Control Module References for scan tool information
Circuit/System Verification
- Ignition ON, verify that no starter relay, theft deterrent, or automatic transmission DTCs are set that would cause the PCM not to enable engine starting.
- Ignition ON, observe the scan tool BCM Current Power Mode parameter. Place ignition switch in the crank position, the parameter should display Crank Request.
- Transmission range selector in park , verify the scan tool PCM IMS parameters display Park/Neutral.
- Transmission range selector in park or neutral, attempt to start the vehicle. The starter relay should click and the engine should begin cranking.
| ⇒ | If DTCs are set, refer to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle. |
| ⇒ | If not the specified value, refer to Power Mode Mismatch. |
| ⇒ | If the PCM IMS parameter does not indicate Park/Neutral. Refer to Range Selector Displays Incorrect Range. |
| ⇒ | If the starter relay does not click or the engine does not crank, refer to Starter Relay Circuit Malfunction. |
Circuit/System Testing
Starter Relay Circuit Malfunction
- Ignition OFF, disconnect the starter relay.
- Ignition ON, verify a test lamp illuminates between the relay coil B+ circuit terminal 85 and ground.
- Ignition ON, verify a test lamp illuminates between the relay switch B+ circuit terminal 87 and ground.
- Connect a test lamp between the relay coil control circuit terminal 86 and the relay coil B+ circuit terminal 85.
- With the transmission range selector in park or neutral, cycle the ignition between the OFF and CRANK position.
- The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
- Ensure the parking brake is applied and the transmission is in PARK. Momentarily install a 40A fused jumper wire between the B+ circuit terminal 87 and the control output circuit terminal 30. The starter solenoid should engage and the engine should begin cranking.
- If all circuits test normal, test or replace the starter relay.
| ⇒ | If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. |
| ⇒ | If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. |
| ⇒ | If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the PCM. |
| ⇒ | If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the PCM. |
| ⇒ | 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. |
Repair Instructions
Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.
| • | Control Module References for PCM replacement, setup and programming |
Starter Solenoid Does Not Click LD8/L37 /4.6L
Diagnostic Instructions
| • | Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure. |
| • | 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 | Short to Ground | Open/High Resistance | Short to Voltage | Signal Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
B+ terminal 30 | 1 | 1 | -- | -- |
ECM Park/ Neutral Signal | 2 | 1 | -- | -- |
Coil Control terminal 86 | -- | 1 | 3 | -- |
Control Output terminal 87 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -- |
Coil Ground terminal 85 | -- | 1 | -- | -- |
1. No crank 2. Cranks in any gear 3. Cranks all the time | ||||
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 then sends a message to the engine control module (ECM) that crank has been requested. The ECM then verifies that the transmission is in Park or Neutral. If it is, the ECM then supplies 12 volts to the control circuit of the starter relay. When this occurs, battery voltage is supplied through the switch of the starter relay to the starter solenoid.
Reference Information
Schematic Reference
Starting and Charging Schematics
Connector End View Reference
Description and Operation
Starting System Description and Operation
Electrical Information Reference
Scan Tool Reference
Control Module References for scan tool information
Circuit/System Verification
- Ignition ON, verify that no starter relay, theft deterrent, or automatic transmission DTCs are set that would cause the ECM not to enable engine starting.
- Ignition ON, observe the scan tool BCM Current Power Mode parameter. Place ignition switch in the crank position, the parameter should display Crank Request.
- Transmission range selector in park , verify the scan tool ECM PNP Switch and TCM IMS parameters display Park/Neutral.
- Transmission range selector in park or neutral, attempt to start the vehicle. The starter relay should click and the engine should begin cranking.
| ⇒ | If DTCs are set, refer to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle. |
| ⇒ | If not the specified value, refer to Power Mode Mismatch. |
| ⇒ | If the TCM IMS parameter does not indicate Park/Neutral. Refer to Transmission Internal Mode Switch Logic. |
| ⇒ | If the ECM Park/Neutral parameter does not indicate Park/Neutral. Refer to ECM Park Switch Circuit Malfunction. |
| ⇒ | If the starter relay does not click or the engine does not crank, refer to Starter Relay Circuit Malfunction. |
Circuit/System Testing
ECM Park Switch Circuit Malfunction (4T80-E)
- Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the AT Inline 20-Way Connector.
- Ignition ON, install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal W and ground. Verify the scan tool ECM PNP switch parameter displays Park/Neutral.
- If all circuits test normal, test or replace the internal mode switch (IMS).
| ⇒ | If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM. |
Starter Relay Circuit Malfunction
- Ignition OFF, disconnect the starter relay.
- Ignition OFF, test for less than 5.0 ohms between the relay ground circuit terminal 85 and ground.
- Ignition ON, verify a test lamp illuminates between the relay switch B+ circuit terminal 30 and ground.
- Ensure the parking brake is applied and the transmission is in PARK. Momentarily install a 40A 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.
- Connect a test lamp between the coil control circuit terminal 86 and the coil ground circuit terminal 85.
- With the transmission range selector in park or neutral, cycle the ignition between the OFF and CRANK position. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
- If all circuits test normal, test or replace the starter relay.
| ⇒ | If greater than the specified range, test the relay ground circuit for an open/high resistance. |
| ⇒ | If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. |
| ⇒ | 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. |
| ⇒ | 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. |
Repair Instructions
Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.
| • | Control Module References for ECM replacement, setup and programming |
