GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Buick 🢒 1998 🢒 Riviera 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Electrical 🢒 Starter Solenoid Does Not Click

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1
  1. Place gear selector in the PARK position.
  2. Turn the ignition switch to the START position.
  3. Observe the SECURITY indicator.

Does the indicator stay on or flash continuously?

--

Go to PASS- Key®II Diagnostic System Check in Theft Deterrent

Go to Step 2

2

Perform the battery load test. Refer to Battery Load Test .

Is the battery OK?

--

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 11

3

Check the battery cables and connections.

Are the battery cables and connections OK?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 12

4
  1. Remove the appropriate injector fuse(s) from the I/P Fuse Block to prevent the engine from starting:
    2. • Buick: INJ Fuse.
    • Oldsmobile: INJ 1 fuse and INJ 2 fuse.
  2. Turn the ignition switch to the START position.
  3. Using a DMM, measure the voltage at the starter solenoid terminal S, CKT 6 (PPL) to ground.

Is the measured voltage greater than the specified value?

8 V

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 5

5
  1. Disconnect CKT 6 (PPL) from the starter solenoid.
  2. Turn the ignition switch to the START position.
  3. Using a DMM, measure the voltage at the starter enable relay terminal A2, CKT 6 (PPL) to ground.

Is the measured voltage greater than the specified value?

8 V

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 6

6
  1. Reconnect CKT 6 (PPL) to the starter solenoid.
  2. Backprobe with a test lamp between battery positive voltage (B+) and the park/neutral position (PNP) switch connector C1 terminal G, CKT 575 (YEL).
  3. Place the gear selector lever in the PARK position.

Does the test lamp light?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 15

7
  1. Connect a test lamp between the starter enable relay terminal C2, CKT 806 (PPL) and ground.
  2. Place the ignition switch in the START position.

Does the test lamp light?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 8

8
  1. Remove the CRANK Fuse from the IP fuse block.
  2. Connect a test lamp between the CRANK fuse terminal C14, CKT 5 (YEL) and ground.
  3. Place the ignition switch in the START position.

Does the test lamp light?

--

Go to Step 19

Go to Step 22

9
  1. Turn the ignition switch to the START position.
  2. Using a DMM, measure the voltage at the starter enable relay terminal C1, CKT 5 (YEL) to ground.

Is the measured voltage greater than the specified value?

8 V

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 30

10

Check for an open in CKT 575 (YEL).

Is the circuit OK?

--

Go to Step 31

Go to Step 32

11

Replace the battery. Refer to Battery Replacement .

Is the replacement complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

12

Repair the battery cable connections or replace battery cables as needed. Refer to Battery Cable .

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

13
  1. Check for poor connections at starter solenoid terminal S, CKT 6 (PPL).
  2. Check for dirty or poor ground between starter and engine block. Refer to Starter Motor Inspection .
  3. If OK, replace the starter. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement .

Is the replacement complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

14

Repair the open or short to ground in CKT 6 (PPL).

Is the circuit repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

15

Backprobe with a test lamp between battery positive voltage (B+) and the PNP switch connector C1 terminal E, CKT 625 (YEL/BLK).

Does the test lamp light?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 17

16

Replace the park/neutral position (PNP) switch. Refer to 4T65-E Transaxle On-Vehicle Service or 4T80-E Transaxle On-Vehicle Service.

Is the replacement complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

17

Check for an open in CKT 625 (YEL/BLK).

Is the circuit OK?

--

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 32

18

Replace the Pass-Key® II theft deterrent module. Refer to PASS-Key® II Module Replacement in Theft Deterrent Systems.

Is the replacement complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

19

Check the CRANK fuse in the IP fuse block for an open.

Is the fuse OK?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 20

20
  1. Repair the short to ground in CKT 806 (PPL).
  2. Replace the CRANK fuse in the IP fuse block.

Is the circuit repair and fuse replacement complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

21

Repair the open in CKT 806 (PPL).

Is the circuit repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

22
  1. Turn the ignition switch to the START position.
  2. Using a DMM, measure the voltage at the starter enable relay terminal C1, CKT 5 (YEL) to ground.

Is the measured voltage greater than the specified value?

8 V

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 24

23

Repair the open in CKT 5 (YEL) between S223 and the IP fuse block.

Is the circuit repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

24

Backprobe with a test lamp to ground, connector C202 terminal D5, CKT 1442 (RED).

Does the test lamp light?

--

Go to Step 25

Go to Step 27

25

Check for an open in CKT 5 (YEL) between S223 and connector C202.

Is the circuit OK?

--

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 32

26

Replace the ignition switch. Refer to Ignition and Key Alarm Switch Assembly - Disassemble - Off Vehicle

in Steering Wheel Column Tilt.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

27

Check the IGN 3 Fuse in the RH rear junction block for an open.

Is the fuse OK?

--

Go to Step 29

Go to Step 28

28
  1. Repair the short to ground in CKT 1442 (RED).
  2. Replace the IGN SW fuse in the RH rear junction block.

Is the circuit repair and fuse replacement complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

29

Repair the open in CKT 1442 (RED).

Is the circuit repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

30

Repair the open in CKT 5 (YEL) between S223 and the starter enable relay.

Is the circuit repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

31

Replace the starter enable relay. Refer to Battery Cable

in Engine Electrical.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

32

Repair the suspect circuit.

Is the circuit repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--