GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Starter Solenoid Does Not Click

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

DEFINITION: Engine does not crank, starter solenoid does not click

1

Were you sent here from the Starting System Check?

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Go to Step 2

Go to Starting System Check

2

  1. Disconnect the theft deterrent relay connector.
  2. Connect a DMM between the theft deterrent relay connector terminal C1 and ground.
  3. Measure the available voltage at the theft deterrent relay connector terminal C1.

Is the voltage within the specified values?

10.0-14.0V

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 3

3

Check the STARTER Maxifuse® #50 in the instrument panel electrical center.

Is the fuse open?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 6

4

  1. Remove the open STARTER Maxifuse® #50.
  2. Connect a DMM between the theft deterrent relay connector terminal C1 and ground.
  3. Measure the resistance between the theft deterrent relay terminal C1 and ground.

Is the resistance to ground infinite?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 5

5

Repair a short to ground in CKT 542.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

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6

Repair an open in CKT 542.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

7

Repair a short to ground in CKT 6 between the theft deterrent relay connector and the starter motor.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

8

  1. Engage the parking brake securely.
  2. Place the gearshift selector in Park/Neutral (Auto) or Neutral (manual).
  3. Connect a jumper wire between the theft deterrent relay connector terminal C1 and A2.

Does the starter motor operate?

--

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 9

9

  1. Connect a DMM between the theft deterrent relay connector terminal A2 and the starter motor connector terminal S.
  2. Measure CKT 6 for continuity between these two terminals.

Is continuity present in CKT 6 between these terminals?

--

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 10

10

Repair an open in CKT 6.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

11

  1. Connect a DMM between the starter motor connector terminal B and ground.
  2. Measure the available voltage at the starter motor connector terminal B.

Is the voltage within the specified values?

10.0-14.0V

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 13

12

Replace the starter motor.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

13

Repair an open in CKT 1 between the battery and the starter motor.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

14

  1. Connect a DMM between the theft deterrent relay connector terminal C2 and ground.
  2. Place the gearshift selector into the Park/Neutral (Auto) position or depress the clutch pedal (Manual).
  3. Turn the ignition switch to the START position.
  4. Measure the available voltage at the theft deterrent relay connector terminal C2.

Is the voltage within the specified values?

10.0-14.0V

Go to Step 33

Go to Step 15

15

  1. Disconnect the (Auto) Park/Neutral position switch connector C1 or the (Manual) clutch pedal position switch connector.
  2. Connect a DMM between ground and the:
  3. • (auto trans) Park/Neutral position switch connector C1 terminal E.
    • (manual transmission) clutch pedal position switch connector terminal A.
  4. Turn the ignition switch to the START position.
  5. Measure the available voltage at the Park/Neutral position switch connector C1 terminal E or the (Manual) clutch pedal position switch connector terminal A.

Is the voltage within the specified values?

10.0-14.0V

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 19

16

  1. Connect a DMM between the theft deterrent relay terminal C2 and the:
  2. • (auto trans) Park/Neutral position switch connector C1 terminal G.
    • (manual transmission) clutch pedal position switch connector terminal B.
  3. Check for continuity in CKT 269 between these two connectors.

Is CKT 269 continuous between these two connector?

--

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 17

17

Repair an open in CKT 269.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

18

Replace the (Auto) Park/Neutral position switch or the (Manual) clutch pedal position switch.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

19

Check the CRK Minifuse® #14 in the instrument panel electrical center.

Is the fuse open?

--

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 21

20

Repair a short to ground in CKT 1606 or CKT 269 (see schematic).

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

21

  1. Remove the CRK Minifuse® #14 from the instrument panel electrical center.
  2. Connect a DMM between the instrument panel electrical center terminal B which is used for the CRK Minifuse® #14 and the:
  3. • (auto trans) Park/Neutral position switch connector C1 terminal E.
    • (manual transmission) clutch pedal position switch connector terminal A.
  4. Check for continuity in CKT 1606 between these two terminals.

Is CKT 1606 continuous between these two terminals?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 22

22

Repair an open in CKT 1606.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

23

  1. Connect a DMM between the instrument panel electrical center terminal A used for the CRK Minifuse® #14 and ground.
  2. Turn the ignition switch to START.
  3. Measure the available voltage at the instrument panel electrical center terminal A used for the CRK Minifuse® #14.

Is the voltage within the specified values?

10.0-14.0V

Go to Step 37

Go to Step 24

24

  1. Disconnect the instrument panel electrical center connector C2.
  2. Connect a DMM between the instrument panel electrical center connector C2 terminal E5 and ground.
  3. Turn the ignition switch to START.
  4. Measure the available voltage at the instrument panel electrical center connector C2 terminal E5.

Is the voltage within the specified values?

10.0-14.0V

Go to Step 25

Go to Step 26

25

  1. Carefully inspect the instrument panel electrical center connector C2 for looseness or damage.
  2. If OK, replace the instrument panel electrical center.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

26

  1. Disconnect the ignition switch connectors C1 and C2.
  2. Connect a DMM between the instrument panel electrical center connector C2 terminal E5 and the ignition switch connector C1 terminal B.
  3. Measure the CKT 5 for continuity between these two connectors.

Is CKT 5 continuous between these two connector?

--

Go to Step 28

Go to Step 27

27

Repair an open in CKT 5.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

28

  1. Connect a DMM between the ignition switch connector C2 terminal A.
  2. Measure the available voltage at the ignition switch connector C2 terminal A.

Is the voltage within the specified values?

10.0-14.0V

Go to Step 29

Go to Step 30

29

Replace the ignition switch.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

30

Check the IGN 2 Maxifuse® #48.

Is the fuse open?

--

Go to Step 32

Go to Step 31

31

Repair an open in CKT 1542.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

32

Repair a short to ground in CKT 1542.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

33

  1. Reconnect the theft deterrent relay connector.
  2. Disconnect the body control module connector C3.
  3. Connect a jumper wire between the body control module connector C3 terminal B7 and ground.
  4. Engage the parking brake securely.
  5. Place the gearshift selector in Park/Neutral (Auto) or Neutral (manual).
  6. Turn the ignition switch to the START position.

Does the starter motor engage and turn over the engine?

--

Go to Theft Deterrent System Diagnostic System Check (Disarming the theft deterrent system)

Go to Step 34

34

  1. Disconnect the theft deterrent relay connector.
  2. Connect a DMM between the body control module connector C3 terminal B7 and the theft deterrent relay connector terminal A1.
  3. Measure the CKT 625 for continuity between these two connectors.

Is CKT 625 continuous between these two connector?

--

Go to Step 36

Go to Step 35

35

Repair an open in CKT 625.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

36

Replace the theft deterrent relay.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

37

Replace the CRK Minifuse® #14.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

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