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

--

--

175 A MEGA Fuse

--

1

--

--

STRTR Fuse 64

--

1

--

--

Park Neutral Signal Circuit

2

1

1

--

Starter Relay Coil Control Circuit

1

1

3

--

Starter Solenoid Crank Voltage Circuit

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 starter 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 X2-S terminal and engaging the starter solenoid.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

    •  Starting and Charging Schematics
    •  Automatic Transmission Controls Schematics  (MYC 6L80E, MYD 6L90E)

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

Diagnostic Aids

    • Inspect the STRTR Fuse 64, and the 175 A MEGA Fuse for an open.
    • A misadjusted PNP switch or range selector lever cable may result in a starter solenoid does not click condition.

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 engage and the engine should crank.
  4. If the solenoid does not engage, refer to Circuit/System Testing: STRTR Relay Circuit Malfunction.
    If the solenoid engages but the engine does not crank, refer to Starter Solenoid Clicks, Engine Does Not Crank.

Circuit/System Testing

PNP Switch Circuit Malfunction

  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. Verify that the scan tool PNP Switch parameter is In Gear.
  4. If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal 3 for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  5. Install a 3 A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal 3 and ground. Verify that the scan tool PNP Switch parameter is Park/Neutral.
  6. If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  7. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the 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. Inspect the 175 A MEGA fuse for an open. If the circuit tests normal and the 175 A MEGA 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. Inspect the STRTR fuse for an open. If the STRTR fuse is open, test the relay controlled output circuit for a short to ground, or replace the starter solenoid (LMM) or starter. If the circuit and fuse test normal, replace the ECM.
  10. Connect the STRTR relay.
  11. Install a test lamp between the starter X2-S terminal 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, or the starter solenoid (LMM 6.6L Diesel).

Component Testing

STRTR Relay

  1. Ignition OFF, remove the STRTR relay. Refer to Relay Replacement.
  2. Test for 60-180 Ω 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 Ω 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.

    •  Range Selector Lever Cable Adjustment
    •  Relay Replacement
    •  Control Valve Body Assembly Removal for shift shaft position switch replacement
    •  Control Valve Body Assembly Disassemble for shift shaft position switch replacement
    •  Starter Motor Replacement
    •  Control Module References for BCM or ECM replacement, setup and programming.