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Starter Solenoid Does Not Click



Starter Solenoid Does Not Click

Diagnostic Instructions

* Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure. Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview
* 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/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 (ME7/MN5), or high (MH2). 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 X1-A terminal and engaging the starter solenoid.

Diagnostic Aids

A misadjusted PNP switch (MN5) or shift control/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.

• If the scan tool PNP Switch parameter is not Park/Neutral, refer to Circuit/System Testing: PNP Switch Circuit Malfunction.

2. 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.

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

Circuit/System Testing

PNP Switch Circuit Malfunction (ME7/MN5 4T45-E)
1. Inspect the shift control cable for proper adjustment.
2. Inspect the PNP switch for proper adjustment.
3. Ignition OFF. Disconnect the harness connector at the PNP switch.
4. Ignition ON. Probe the ground circuit terminal 1 with a test lamp that is connected to B+. Verify that the test lamp illuminates.

• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ground circuit terminal 1 for an open/high resistance.

5. Verify that the scan tool PNP Switch parameter is In Gear.

• If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal 12 for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.

6. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the ground circuit terminal 1 and the signal circuit terminal 12. Verify that the scan tool PNP Switch parameter is Park/Neutral.

• If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal 12 for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.

7. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the PNP switch.

PNP Switch Circuit Malfunction (MH8 6T40/6T45)
1. Inspect the range selector lever cable for proper adjustment.
2. Ignition OFF. Disconnect the harness connector at the transmission inline 20-way connector.
3. Ignition ON. Measure voltage on the park/neutral signal circuit terminal 3 with a DMM. Verify that there is greater than 10 volts on the park/neutral signal circuit.

• If there is less than 10 volts on the park/neutral signal circuit, test the circuit for an open or a short to ground. If OK, replace the ECM.

4. Ignition OFF, remove the control valve body cover. Refer to Control Valve Body Cover Replacement.
5. Connect the transmission inline 20-way connector.
6. Disconnect the shift position switch connector from the TCM.
7. Ignition ON, verify that the scan tool PNP Switch parameter displays In Gear.

• If not the specified value, replace the ECM.

8. Connect a 3-amp fused jumper wire between the park/neutral signal terminal F of the TCM and ground. The scan tool PNP Switch parameter should display Park/Neutral when the terminal is connected to ground.

• If not the specified value, replace the ECM.

9. If all components test normal, test or replace the shift position switch.

PNP Switch Circuit Malfunction (MH2 6T70/6T75)
1. Inspect the range selector lever cable for proper adjustment.
2. Ignition OFF. Disconnect the harness connector at the transmission inline 20-way connector.
3. Ignition ON. Measure voltage on the park/neutral signal circuit terminal 20 with a DMM. Verify that there is greater than 10 volts on the park/neutral signal circuit.

• If there is less than 10 volts on the park/neutral signal circuit, test the circuit for an open or a short to ground. If OK, replace the ECM.

4. Ignition OFF, remove the control valve body cover. Refer to Control Valve Body Cover Replacement.
5. Connect the transmission inline 20-way connector.
6. Disconnect the internal mode switch connector at the control solenoid valve assembly.
7. Ignition ON, verify that the scan tool PNP Switch parameter displays In Gear.

• If not the specified value, replace the ECM.

8. Connect a 3-amp fused jumper wire between the park/neutral signal terminal F at the control solenoid valve assembly and ground. The scan tool PNP Switch parameter should display Park/Neutral when the terminal is connected to ground.

• If not the specified value, replace the ECM.

9. If all components test normal, test or replace the internal mode switch.

Start Relay Circuit Malfunction
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the STARTER RELAY.
2. Ignition ON, transmission in Park/Neutral. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the relay coil ground circuit terminal and B+.

• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.

3. Probe the STARTER RELAY switch B+ circuit terminal with a test lamp that is connected to ground. Verify that the test lamp illuminates.

• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal and the STARTER RELAY fuse is open, test the relay controlled output circuit for a short to ground.

4. Connect a test lamp between the relay coil ground circuit terminal and the relay coil control circuit terminal.

Important: The engine may begin to crank.

5. 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.

• 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. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.

6. Connect the START relay.
7. Install a test lamp between the starter X1-A terminal and ground.

Important: The engine may begin to crank.

8. 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.

• 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 START relay.

9. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the starter.

Component Testing

PNP Switch (ME7/MN5)
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the PNP switch.
2. With the PNP switch in the following positions, test for infinite resistance between the ground terminal 1 and the signal terminal 12.

* R
* OD
* D
* 2
* 1

• If not the specified value, replace the PNP switch.

3. With the PNP switch in the following positions, test for less than 2.0 ohms between the ground terminal 1 and the signal terminal 12.

* P
* N

• If greater than the specified range, replace the PNP switch.

CRANK Relay
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the STARTER RELAY.
2. Test for 60-180 ohms between terminals 85 and 86.

• If not within the specified range, replace the relay.

3. Test for infinite resistance between the following terminals:

* 30 and 86
* 30 and 87
* 30 and 85
* 85 and 87

• If not the specified value, replace the relay.

4. 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 ohms between terminals 30 and 87.

• If greater than specified range, replace the relay.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure. Verification Tests

* Range Selector Lever Cable Adjustment (MH2 6T70/6T75)
* Shift Control Cable Adjustment (ME7/MN5 4T45-E)
* Relay Replacement (Attached to Wire Harness)
* Manual Shift Detent Lever with Shaft Position Switch Assembly Replacement (MH8 6T40/6T45)
* Manual Shift Detent Lever with Shaft Position Switch Assembly and Park Pawl Actuator Removal (MH2 6T70/6T75)
* Manual Shift Detent Lever with Shaft Position Switch Assembly and Park Pawl Actuator Installation (MH2 6T70/6T75)
* Park/Neutral Position Switch Replacement (ME7/MN5 4T45-E)
* Starter Motor Replacement (LZ4) Starter Motor Replacement (LAT) Starter Motor Replacement (LY7)
* Underhood Electrical Center or Junction Block Replacement
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