GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Starter Solenoid Does Not Click and Engine Does Not Crank

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

  1. Place either the Automatic Transmission in Park or depress the Clutch Pedal (Manual Transmission).
  2. Move Ignition Switch to the Start position.
  3. Measure voltage between Starter Solenoid terminal S and engine Ground.

Is the voltage reading greater than the value?

12V

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 2

2

  1. Remove Starter Relay from the Underhood Fuse Relay Center.
  2. Connect a test lamp from Starter Relay socket cavity A9 to ground.

Does the test lamp light?

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 14

3

  1. Disconnect the PPL (6) wire from Starter Solenoid terminal S.
  2. Connect a self-powered test lamp from Starter Relay socket cavity A9 to the Starter Solenoid end of PPL (6) wire.

Does the test lamp light?

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 15

4

  1. Reconnect the PPL (6) wire at the Starter Solenoid.
  2. Connect a self powered test lamp between Starter Relay socket cavity A7 to ground.

Does the test lamp light?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 16

5

  1. Place either the Automatic Transmission in Park or depress the Clutch Pedal (Manual Transmission).
  2. Move Ignition Switch to the Start position.
  3. Measure voltage between Starter Relay socket cavity B9 to ground.

Is the voltage reading greater than value?

12V

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 17

6

Is the vehicle equipped with a Manual Transmission?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 9

7

  1. Disconnect the Clutch Pedal Position Switch connector.
  2. Move the Ignition Switch to the Start position.
  3. Measure voltage between Clutch Pedal Position Switch connector cavity A to ground.

Is the voltage reading greater than the value?

12V

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 11

8

  1. Engage the Parking Brake.
  2. Depress Clutch Pedal and place transmission in neutral.
  3. Connect a fused jumper between Clutch Pedal Position Switch connector cavity A to cavity C.
  4. Move the Ignition Switch to the Start position.

Does the engine crank?

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 19

9

  1. Disconnect the Transmission Range Switch connector.
  2. Move Ignition Switch to the Start Position.
  3. Measure voltage between Transmission Range Switch connector C1 cavity E to ground.

Is the voltage reading greater than the value?

12V

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 11

10

  1. Connect a fused jumper between Transmission Range Switch connector C1 cavity E to cavity G.
  2. Move Ignition Switch to the Start position.

Does the engine crank?

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 21

11

  1. Move the Ignition Switch to the Start position.
  2. Measure voltage between Ignition Switch connector C266 cavity D1 to ground.

Is the voltage reading greater than value?

12V

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 12

12

  1. Measure voltage between Ignition Switch connector C266 connector D5 and ground.

Is the voltage reading greater than the value?

12V

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 24

13

  1. Clean Starter Motor, Starter Motor mounting surface and mounting bolts.
  2. Repeat Test.

If the Starter Motor does not pass the test, Replace Starter Motor.

14

Reinstall Starter Relay and Repair open in RED (242) wire between Fuse 6 and Starter Relay.

15

Reinstall Starter Relay and Repair open in PPL (6) wire between Starter Relay and Starter Solenoid.

16

Reinstall Starter Relay and Repair open in BLK (150) wire between Starter Relay and ground G105.

17

Replace Starter Relay.

18

  1. Adjust Clutch Pedal Position Switch.
  2. Retest System.
  3. If Starter does not operate, Replace Clutch Pedal Position Switch.

19

Repair open in PPL (1035) wire between Clutch Pedal Position Switch and Starter Relay.

20

Replace Transmission Range Switch.

21

Repair open in PPL (1035) wire between Transmission Range Switch and Starter Relay.

22

  1. Check for an open in YEL (5) between Ignition Switch and I/P Fuse Block.
  2. If OK, repair open in PPL (806) wire between I/P Fuse Block and Clutch Pedal Position Switch (Manual Transmission) or Transmission Range Switch (Automatic Transmission).

23

Replace Ignition Switch.

24

Repair open in RED (242) wire between Ignition Switch and Underhood Fuse Relay Center.