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For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Oldsmobile 🢒 2003 🢒 Alero 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Electrical 🢒 Starter Solenoid Does Not Click

Starter Solenoid Does Not Click LA1

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Starting and Charging Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Master Electrical Component List in Wiring Systems

1

Did you perform the Engine Electrical Diagnostic System Check?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Electrical

2

Turn the ignition to the START position.

Is the Theft indicator flashing?

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Theft Deterrent in Theft Deterrent

Go to Step 3

3

Turn the ignition to the START position.

Does the starter solenoid click?

Go to Starter Solenoid Clicks, Engine Does Not Crank

Go to Step 4

4

Did the engine crank?

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems

Go to Step 5

5
  1. Install a scan tool.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. Place the transmission in Park or Neutral.
  4. With a scan tool, observe the TR Sw. parameter in the Transmission data list.

Does the scan tool display Park or Neutral?

Go to Step 6

Go to Diagnostic Starting Point - Automatic Transmission in Automatic Transaxle -4T40-E/4T45-E

6
  1. With a scan tool, observe the Starter Relay Command parameter in the PCM data list.
  2. Turn the ignition switch to the START position.

Does the scan tool display ON?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 14

7

Turn the ignition to the START position.

Does the STARTER relay click?

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 8

8
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the STARTER relay.
  3. Connect a test lamp between the battery positive voltage circuit of the STARTER relay coil and a good ground.
  4. Turn the ignition to the START position.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 10

9
  1. Connect a test lamp between the battery positive voltage circuit of the STARTER relay coil and the control circuit of the STARTER relay.
  2. Turn the ignition to the START position.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 15

10
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the Park Neutral Position (PNP) switch.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the Engine OFF.
  4. Connect a 10 amp fused jumper between the STARTER relay coil control circuits of the PNP switch.
  5. Turn the ignition to the START position.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 24

11
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the STARTER relay.
  3. Connect a test lamp between the battery positive voltage circuit of the STARTER relay switch circuit and a good ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 22

12

Connect a 30 amp fused jumper between the battery positive voltage circuit of the STARTER relay switch circuit and the supply voltage circuit of the starter solenoid.

Does the engine crank?

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 13

13

Does the fuse in the jumper open?

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 16

14

Test the crank voltage circuit of the STARTER relay for an open or high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 30

Go to Step 19

15

Test the STARTER relay control circuit of the PCM for an open or high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 30

Go to Step 20

16

Test the supply voltage circuit of the starter solenoid for an open or high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 30

Go to Step 21

17

Inspect for poor connections at the PNP switch. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 30

Go to Step 25

18

Inspect for poor connections at the STARTER relay. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 30

Go to Step 26

19

Inspect for poor connections at the ignition switch harness connector. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 30

Go to Step 27

20

Inspect for poor connections at the PCM harness connector. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 30

Go to Step 28

21

Inspect for poor connections at the starter solenoid. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 30

Go to Step 29

22

Repair the open or high resistance in the battery positive voltage circuit of the STARTER relay switch. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 30

--

23

Repair the short to ground in the supply voltage circuit of the starter solenoid. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 30

--

24

Repair the open or high resistance in the battery positive voltage circuit of the STARTER relay coil. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 30

--

25

Replace the PNP switch. Refer to Park/Neutral Position Switch Replacement in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 30

--

26

Replace the STARTER relay.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 30

--

27

Replace the Ignition Switch. Refer to Ignition and Start Switch Replacement in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 30

--

28

IMPORTANT:: Perform the set up procedures for the PCM.

Replace the PCM. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement in Engine Controls - 3.4L.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 30

--

29

Replace the Starter Motor. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 30

--

30

Operate the system for which the symptom occurred.

Did you correct the condition?

System OK

Go to Step 2

Starter Solenoid Does Not Click L61

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Starting and Charging Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Master Electrical Component List in Wiring Systems

1

Did you perform the Engine Electrical Diagnostic System Check?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Electrical

2

Turn the ignition to the START position.

Is the Theft indicator flashing?

--

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Theft Deterrent in Theft Deterrent

Go to Step 3

3

Turn the ignition to the START position.

Does the starter solenoid click?

--

Go to Starter Solenoid Clicks, Engine Does Not Crank

Go to Step 4

4

Did the engine crank and run?

--

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems

Go to Step 5

5

Does the vehicle have an automatic transmission?

--

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 9

6
  1. Install a scan tool.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. Place the transmission in Park or Neutral.
  4. With a scan tool, observe the TR Sw. parameter in the PCM data list.

Does the scan tool display Park or Neutral?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Diagnostic Starting Point - Automatic Transmission in Automatic Transaxle -4T40-E/4T45-E

7
  1. Turn the ignition to the START position.
  2. Measure the voltage drop between the B+ terminal of the battery and the starter solenoid crank voltage circuit of the starter solenoid.

Is the voltage drop less than the specified value?

0.5V

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 8

8
  1. Turn the ignition to the START position.
  2. Measure the voltage drop between the B+ terminal of the battery and the crank voltage circuit of the PNP switch.

Is the voltage drop less than the specified value?

0.5V

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 11

9
  1. Depress the clutch pedal.
  2. Turn the ignition to the START position.
  3. Measure the voltage drop between the B+ terminal of the battery and the starter solenoid crank voltage circuit of the starter solenoid.

Is the voltage drop less than the specified value?

0.5V

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 10

10
  1. Depress the clutch pedal.
  2. Turn the ignition to the START position.
  3. Measure the voltage drop between the B+ terminal of the battery and the crank voltage circuit of the Clutch Pedal Position (CCP) switch.

Is the voltage drop less than the specified value?

0.5V

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 11

11

Test the crank voltage circuit for the PNP switch for a high resistance or an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 16

12

Test the starter solenoid crank voltage circuit for a high resistance or an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 14

13

Test the starter solenoid crank voltage circuit for a high resistance or an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 15

14

Inspect for poor connections at the PNP switch. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 18

15

Inspect for poor connections at the CCP switch. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 19

16

Inspect for poor connections at the ignition switch. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 20

17

Inspect for poor connections at the starter solenoid. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 21

18

Replace the PNP switch. Refer to Park/Neutral Position Switch Replacement in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 22

--

19

Replace the CCP switch. Refer to Clutch Pedal Position Switch Replacement in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 22

--

20

Replace the Ignition Switch. Refer to Ignition and Start Switch Replacement in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 22

--

21

Replace the Starter Motor. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 22

--

22

Operate the system for which the symptom occurred.

Is the symptom still present?

--

Go to Step 2

System OK