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Starter Solenoid Does Not Click Manual MA5

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

ECM Park Neutral Signal

2

1

1

--

Relay Control Circuit (terminal 86)

1

1

3

--

Relay Coil Ground Circuit (terminal 85)

--

1

--

--

Relay Control Output Circuit (terminal 87)

1

1

3

--

B+ Circuit (terminal 30)

1

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 provides 12 volts to energize the Run/Crank relay. The Run/Crank relay sends a 12 volt signal to the ECM that crank has been requested. The ECM then verifies that the transmission is in neutral and the clutch pedal is fully depressed. If it is, the ECM then supplies 12 volts to the control circuit of the STRTR relay. When this occurs, battery voltage is supplied through the switch of the STRTR relay to S terminal of the starter solenoid.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Starting and Charging Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Starting System Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

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

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Ignition ON, verify that no starter relay, theft deterrent, or clutch pedal DTCs are set that would cause the ECM to disable starting.
  2. If DTCs are set, refer to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle.
  3. Ignition ON, observe the scan tool ECM Crank Request Signal parameter. Place ignition switch in the crank position, the parameter should display Yes.
  4. If not the specified value, refer to Power Mode Mismatch.
  5. With the transmission in neutral and clutch fully depressed, verify the scan tool ECM Clutch Start Switch parameter displays Applied.
  6. If the ECM Clutch Start Switch parameter does not indicate Applied, refer to Clutch Pedal Position Sensor Learn.
  7. With the transmission in neutral and clutch fully depressed, attempt to start the vehicle. The starter relay should click and the engine should begin cranking.
  8. If the STRTR relay does not click or the engine does not crank, refer to Starter Relay Circuit Malfunction.

Circuit/System Testing

Starter Relay Circuit Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the starter relay.
  2. Test for less than 1 ohm of resistance between the ground circuit terminal 85 and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Ignition ON, verify a test lamp illuminates between the relay switch B+ circuit terminal 30 and ground.
  5. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.
  6. Ensure the parking brake is applied and the transmission is in neutral. Momentarily install a 40 A 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.
  7. 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.
  8. Connect a test lamp between the coil control circuit terminal 86 and the coil ground circuit terminal 85.
  9. With the transmission in neutral and the clutch pedal fully depressed, cycle the ignition key between the OFF and CRANK position. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  10. 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.
  11. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the starter relay.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Relay Replacement
    •  Starter Motor Replacement
    •  Control Module References for ECM replacement, setup and programming

Starter Solenoid Does Not Click Automatic M30

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+

1

1

--

--

ECM Park Neutral Signal

2

1

1

--

Relay Control

1

1

3

--

Starter Control

1

1

3

--

Relay Ground

--

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 provides 12 V to energize the Run/Crank relay. The Run/Crank relay sends a 12 V signal to the 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 V to the control circuit of the STRTR relay. When this occurs, battery voltage is supplied through the switch of the STRTR relay to terminal A X1 of the starter solenoid.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Starting and Charging Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Starting System Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

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

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Ignition ON, verify that no starter relay, theft deterrent, or automatic transmission DTCs are set that would cause the ECM to disable starting.
  2. If DTCs are set, refer to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle.
  3. Ignition ON, observe the scan tool ECM Crank Request Signal parameter. Place ignition switch in the crank position, the parameter should display Yes.
  4. If not the specified value, refer to Power Mode Mismatch.
  5. Transmission in park, verify the scan tool ECM PNP Switch parameter displays Park/Neutral.
  6. If the ECM PNP Switch parameter does not indicate Park/Neutral. Refer to ECM Park Switch Circuit Malfunction.
  7. Transmission range selector in park or neutral, attempt to start the vehicle. The starter relay should click and the engine should begin cranking.
  8. If the relay does not click or the engine does not crank, refer to Starter Relay Circuit Malfunction.

Circuit/System Testing

Starter Relay Circuit Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the starter relay.
  2. Ignition OFF and scan tool disconnected, open and close the driver door, and wait 1 minute. Test for less than 5 Ω between the ground circuit terminal 85 and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Ignition ON, verify a test lamp illuminates between the relay switch B+ circuit terminal 30 and ground.
  5. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.
  6. Ensure the parking brake is applied and the transmission is in PARK. Momentarily install a 40 A 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.
  7. 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.
  8. Connect a test lamp between the coil control circuit terminal 86 and the coil ground circuit terminal 85.
  9. With the transmission range selector in park or neutral, cycle the ignition key between the OFF and CRANK position. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  10. 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.
  11. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the starter relay.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Relay Replacement
    •  Manual Shift Detent Lever with Shaft Position Switch Assembly Replacement
    •  Starter Motor Replacement
    •  Control Module References for ECM replacement, setup and programming.