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For 1990-2009 cars only

Starter Solenoid Does Not Click 3.8L

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Starting and Charging Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Master Electrical Component List

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle

2

Turn the ignition switch to the START position.

Does the engine crank?

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections

Go to Step 3

3

Is the security indicator flashing?

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle

Go to Step 4

4

  1. Install a scan tool.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. With a scan tool, observe the Current Power Mode parameter in the body control module (BCM) data list.
  4. Turn the ignition switch to the START position.

Does the scan tool display Crank?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 13

5

  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. With a scan tool, observe the Starter Relay Command parameter in the powertrain control module (PCM) data list.
  3. Turn the ignition switch to the START position.

Does the scan tool display Yes?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 6

6

  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. Verify that the transmission is in Park or Neutral.
  3. With a scan tool, observe the IMS parameter in the Transmission data list.

Does the scan tool display Park or Neutral?

Go to Step 7

Go to Range Selector Displays Incorrect Range

7

Turn the ignition switch to the START position.

Do you hear the CRANK relay click?

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 8

8

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the CRANK relay.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Connect a test lamp between the battery positive voltage circuit of the CRANK relay coil and a good ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 22

9

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

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 15

10

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

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 23

11

Important: Ensure the parking brake is applied and the transmission is in park equipped with an automatic transmission or neutral on a manual transmission.

Connect a 30-amp fused jumper between the battery positive voltage circuit of the CRANK relay switch and the starter solenoid crank voltage circuit.

Does the engine crank?

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 12

12

Does the fuse in the jumper open?

Go to Step 24

Go to Step 14

13

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the BCM harness connector.
  3. Connect a test lamp between the crank voltage circuit of the BCM and a good ground.
  4. Turn the ignition to the START position.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 16

14

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

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 30

Go to Step 18

15

Test the control circuit of the CRANK relay for an open or short to battery voltage. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 30

Go to Step 21

16

Test the crank voltage circuit of the BCM for a high resistance or open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition.

Go to Step 30

Go to Step 19

17

Inspect for poor connections at the CRANK relay. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 30

Go to Step 25

18

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

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 30

Go to Step 26

19

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

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 30

Go to Step 27

20

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the BCM. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 30

Go to Step 28

21

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

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 30

Go to Step 29

22

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

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 30

--

23

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

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 30

--

24

Repair the short to ground in the starter solenoid crank voltage circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 30

--

25

Replace the CRANK relay.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 30

--

26

Replace the starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 30

--

27

Replace the ignition switch. Refer to Ignition and Start Switch Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 30

--

28

Replace the BCM. Refer to Control Module References for replacement, setup, and programming.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 30

--

29

Replace the PCM. Refer to Control Module References for replacement, setup, and programming.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 30

--

30

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

System OK

Go to Step 2

Starter Solenoid Does Not Click 4.6L

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Starting and Charging Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Master Electrical Component List

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle

2

Turn the ignition switch to the start position.

Does the engine crank?

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Install a scan tool.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. With a scan tool, observe the Starter Relay Command parameter in the engine electrical data list.
  4. Turn the ignition switch to the start position.

Does the scan tool display ON?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 4

4

  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. Verify that the transmission is in Park or Neutral.
  3. With a scan tool, observe the PNP switch parameter in the engine electrical data list.

Does the scan tool display Park/Neutral?

Go to Step 6

Go to Range Selector Displays Incorrect Range

5

Turn the ignition switch to the start position.

Did the crank relay click?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 6

6

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Remove the crank relay.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit of the crank relay coil and a good ground.
  5. Turn the ignition switch to the start position.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 15

7

  1. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit of the crank relay coil and the ground circuit of the crank relay.
  2. Turn the ignition switch to the start position.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 12

8

  1. Turn ON the ignition.
  2. Connect a test lamp between the battery positive voltage circuit of the crank relay switch circuit and a good ground.
  3. Turn the ignition switch to the start position.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 17

9

Important: Ensure the parking brake is applied and the transmission is in park equipped with an automatic transmission or neutral on a manual transmission.

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

Does the engine crank?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 10

10

Does the fuse in the jumper open?

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 11

11

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

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 14

12

Test the ground circuit of the crank relay for an open or a high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 22

--

13

Inspect for poor connections at the crank relay. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 19

14

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

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 20

15

Repair an open or high resistance in the control circuit of the crank relay coil. Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 16

16

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the ECM. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 21

17

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

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 22

--

18

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

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 22

--

19

Replace the crank relay.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 22

--

20

Replace the starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 22

--

21

Replace the ECM. Refer to Control Module References for replacement, setup, and programming.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 22

--

22

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

System OK

Go to Step 2