GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

STARTER MOTOR CONTINUES TO RUN OR CRANK

SUBJECT: STARTER MOTOR CONTINUES TO RUN OR CRANK AFTER THE ENGINE IS RUNNING OR TURNED OFF (SOLENOID WIRE GROUNDED)

MODELS: 1995 BUICK RIVIERA 1995 CADILLAC ELDORADO, ELDORADO TOURING COUPE, SEVILLE 1995 CHEVROLET CAMARO 1995 OLDSMOBILE AURORA 1995 PONTIAC FIREBIRD WITH 3800, 4.0L, 4.6L, OR 5.7L ENGINE (VINS C, K, P, Y, 1, 9-RPOS L47, L36, LT1, LD8, L67, L37)

1994-95 CHEVROLET AND GMC C/K, G AND P TRUCKS WITH 5.7L OR 7.4L ENGINE (VINS K, N - RPOS L05, L19)

CONDITION:

SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT OF THE STARTER RUNNING EITHER AFTER THE VEHICLE IS STARTED OR SHUT OFF.

CAUSE:

THE STARTER MOTOR SOLENOID WILL NOT DISENGAGE BECAUSE OF A GROUND ON THE #6 CIRCUIT (USUALLY A PURPLE WIRE). WITH THE #6 CIRCUIT GROUNDED TO A RESISTIVE GROUND, CURRENT IS FED BACK THROUGH THE "PULL IN" WINDINGS TO THE GROUND. THIS, IN TURN, HOLDS THE PLUNGER IN AND CAUSES THE STARTER TO CONTINUE TO RUN.

DIAGNOSIS: DISCONNECT THE #6 CIRCUIT LEAD AT THE STARTER "S" TERMINAL. WITH THE IGNITION IN THE OFF OR NORMAL RUN POSITION, USE AN OHM METER TO CHECK IF THERE IS ANY ELECTRICAL PATH BETWEEN THE RING TERMINAL ON THE #6 CIRCUIT LEAD AND GROUND. IF ANY RESISTANCE OTHER THAN INFINITE IS MEASURED, THE WIRE MUST BE TRACED AND THE GROUND ELIMINATED.

CORRECTION:

ADD TAPE AND/OR CONDUIT AS NECESSARY TO ELIMINATE THE GROUNDING CONDITION. REROUTE ANY WIRES AS NECESSARY.

IMPORTANT: CHECK THE AREA BETWEEN THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE BRAKE PEDAL BRACKET FOR POSSIBLE WIRE CHAFFING. ALSO, CHECK FOR CHAFFING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AROUND ALL TRANSMISSION BOSSES AND ANY SHARP BRACKETS.

WARRANTY INFORMATION:

LABOR OPERATION: N6480 USE PUBLISHED LABOR OPERATION TIME.

FIGURES: 0 ATTACHMENTS: 0

GENERAL MOTORS BULLETINS ARE INTENDED FOR USE BY PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS, NOT A "DO-IT-YOURSELFER". THEY ARE WRITTEN TO INFORM THOSE TECHNICIANS OF CONDITIONS THAT MAY OCCUR ON SOME VEHICLES, OR TO PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT COULD ASSIST IN THE PROPER SERVICE OF A VEHICLE. PROPERLY TRAINED TECHNICIANS HAVE THE EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND KNOW-HOW TO DO A JOB PROPERLY AND SAFELY. IF A CONDITION IS DESCRIBED, DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE BULLETIN APPLIES TO YOUR VEHICLE, OR THAT YOUR VEHICLE WILL HAVE THAT CONDITION. SEE A GENERAL MOTORS DEALER SERVICING YOUR BRAND OF GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE FOR INFORMATION ON WHETHER YOUR VEHICLE MAY BENEFIT FROM THE INFORMATION.

COPYRIGHT 1995 GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.