GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

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

Underhood Fuse Block B+

1

1

--

--

STRTR Fuse 60 or 64

--

1

--

--

Park Neutral Signal

2

1

1

--

Starter Relay Coil Control

1

1

3

--

Starter Solenoid Crank Voltage

1

1

3

--

Underhood Fuse Block Ground

--

1

--

--

  1. No crank
  2. Cranks in any gear
  3. Cranks all the time

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. 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 STRTR 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 terminal S X2 and engaging the starter solenoid.

Diagnostic Aids

A misadjusted PNP switch (M30, M70) or shift control/range selector lever cable may result in a starter solenoid does not click condition.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

    •  Starting and Charging Schematics
    •  Automatic Transmission Controls Schematics for the 4L60E (M30) and 4L70E (M70) transmissions
    •  Automatic Transmission Controls Schematics for the 6L80E (MYC) and 6L90E (MYD) transmissions
    •  Starting and Charging Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Starting System Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Wiring Repairs
    •  Connector Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References 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.
  2. If the scan tool PNP Switch parameter is not Park/Neutral, refer to Circuit/System Testing: PNP Switch Circuit Malfunction.
  3. Command the Starter Relay ON with the scan tool, or turn the ignition switch to the START position. The starter solenoid should click and the engine should crank.
  4. If the solenoid does not click, refer to Circuit/System Testing: STRTR Relay Circuit Malfunction.
    If the solenoid clicks but the engine does not crank, refer to Starter Solenoid Clicks, Engine Does Not Crank .
    If the engine cranks, refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections .

Circuit/System Testing

PNP Switch Circuit Malfunction (M30 4L60E, M70 4L70E)

  1. Inspect the range selector lever cable for proper adjustment. Refer to Range Selector Lever Cable Adjustment .
  2. Inspect the park/neutral position switch for proper adjustment. Refer to Park/Neutral Position Switch Adjustment .
  3. Ignition OFF. Disconnect the harness connector from the park/neutral switch. Refer to Park/Neutral Position Switch Replacement .
  4. Ignition OFF, test for less than 5 ohms between the ground circuit terminal 7 and ground.
  5. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  6. Verify that the scan tool PNP Switch parameter is In Gear.
  7. If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal 3 for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  8. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the ground circuit terminal 7 and the signal circuit terminal 3. Verify that the scan tool PNP Switch parameter is Park/Neutral.
  9. If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  10. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the park/neutral position switch.

PNP Switch Circuit Malfunction (MYC 6L80E, MYD 6L90E)

  1. Inspect the range selector lever cable for proper adjustment. Refer to Range Selector Lever Cable Adjustment .
  2. Ignition OFF. Disconnect the 16-way harness connector from the transmission.
  3. Ignition ON. Measure voltage on the park/neutral signal circuit terminal 3 with a DMM. Verify that there is greater than 10 volts on the park/neutral signal circuit.
  4. If there is less than 10 volts on the park/neutral signal circuit, test the circuit for an open or a short to ground. If OK, replace the ECM.
  5. Ignition OFF, reconnect the 16-way harness connector to the transmission.
  6. Remove the automatic transmission fluid pan. Refer to Automatic Transmission Fluid, Fluid Pan and/or Filter Replacement .
  7. Disconnect the manual shift shaft position switch connector at the control solenoid valve assembly. Refer to Manual Shift Shaft Position Switch Replacement .
  8. Ignition ON, verify that the scan tool PNP Switch parameter displays In Gear.
  9. If not the specified value, replace the ECM.
  10. 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.
  11. If not the specified value, replace the ECM.
  12. If all components test normal, test or replace the manual shift shaft position switch.

STRTR Relay Circuit Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the STRTR relay.
  2. Ignition ON, transmission in Park/Neutral. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the relay coil ground circuit terminal and B+.
  3. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Probe the STRTR Relay switch B+ circuit terminal with a test lamp that is connected to ground. Verify that the test lamp illuminates.
  5. 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.
  6. Connect a test lamp between the relay coil ground circuit terminal and the relay coil control circuit terminal.
  7. Important: The engine may begin to crank.

  8. Ignition ON, transmission in Park/Neutral. Command the Starter Relay ON and OFF with a scan tool, or turn the ignition switch between the START and RUN positions. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  9. 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.
  10. Connect the START relay.
  11. Install a test lamp between the starter terminal S X2 and ground.
  12. Important: The engine may begin to crank.

  13. Ignition ON, transmission in Park/Neutral, command the Starter Relay ON with a scan tool, or turn the ignition switch to the START position. The test lamp should illuminate.
  14. 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 STRTR relay.
  15. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the starter.

Component Testing

PNP Switch (M30 4L60E, M70 4L70E)

  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 7 and the signal terminal 3.
  3. • R
    • OD
    • D
    • 2
    • 1
    If not the specified value, replace the PNP switch.
  4. With the PNP switch in the following positions, test for less than 2.0  ohms between the ground terminal 7 and the signal terminal 3.
  5. • 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.
  3. If not within the specified range, replace the relay.
  4. Test for infinite resistance between the following terminals:
  5. • 30 and 86
    • 30 and 87
    • 30 and 85
    • 85 and 87
    If not the specified value, replace the relay.
  6. 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.
  7. If greater than specified range, replace the relay.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Park/Neutral Position Switch Replacement for the 4L60E (M30) and 4L70E (M70) transmissions
    •  Control Valve Body Assembly Removal for shift shaft position switch replacement (MYC 6L80E, MYD 6L90E)
    •  Control Valve Body Assembly Disassemble for shift shaft position switch replacement (MYC 6L80E, MYD 6L90E)
    •  Control Module References for ECM replacement, setup and programming