Starter Solenoid Does Not Click

1999 GMC Forward Control 5.7 R, AutomaticSECTION Starter Solenoid Does Not Click
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Chevrolet Corvette. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Did you perform the DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM CHECK - ENGINE ELECTRICAL? If so, go to next step. If not, go to DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM CHECK - ENGINE ELECTRICAL  .
  2. Turn the ignition switch to the START position. Does the engine crank? If so, go to INTERMITTENTS  . If not, go to next step.
  3. Turn the ignition switch to the START position. Does the Theft Deterrent relay click? If so, go to step  7 . If not, go to next step.
  4. Disconnect the Theft Deterrent relay. Connect a test light from the supply voltage circuit of the theft deterrent relay coil circuit to ground. With the transmission in park, or clutch pedal depressed, turn the ignition switch to the start position. Does the test light illuminate? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  6 .
  5. Connect a test light from the supply voltage circuit of the Theft Deterrent relay coil circuit to the control circuit of the Theft Deterrent relay coil circuit. With the transmission in park, or clutch pedal depressed, turn the ignition switch to the start position. Does the test light illuminate? If so, go to step  13 . If not, go to step  10 .
  6. Turn OFF the ignition. Disconnect the Park Neutral Position (PNP) switch or Clutch Pedal Position (CPP) switch. Turn ON the ignition, with the Engine OFF. Connect a 10 amp fused jumper between the Theft Deterrent relay coil control circuits of the PNP switch or Clutch Pedal Position switch. With the transmission in park, or clutch pedal depressed, turn the ignition switch to the start position. Does the test light illuminate? If so, go to step  14 . If not, go to step  11 .
  7. Turn OFF the ignition. Disconnect the Theft Deterrent relay. Connect a test light between the battery positive voltage circuit of the Theft Deterrent relay switch circuit and a good ground. Does the test light illuminate? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step  18 .
  8. Connect a 30 amp fused jumper between the battery positive voltage circuit of the Theft Deterrent relay switch circuit and the supply voltage circuit of the starter solenoid. Does the engine crank? If so, go to step  13 . If not, go to next step.
  9. Does the fuse in the jumper open? If so, go to step  19 . If not, go to step  12 .
  10. Test the control circuit of the Theft Deterrent relay for an open or high resistance. Did you find and correct the condition? If so, go to step  25 . If not, go to step  15 .
  11. Test the supply voltage circuit of the Theft Deterrent relay coil circuit for an open or high resistance. Did you find and correct the condition? If so, go to step  25 . If not, go to step  16 .
  12. Test the supply voltage circuit of the starter solenoid for an open or high resistance. Did you find and correct the condition? If so, go to step  25 . If not, go to step  17 .
  13. Inspect for poor connections at the Theft Deterrent relay. Did you find and correct the condition? If so, go to step  25 . If not, go to step  20 .
  14. If equipped with an Automatic Transmission Inspect for poor connections at the PNP switch harness connector. If equipped with a Manual Transmission inspect for poor connections at the Clutch Pedal Position switch harness connector. Did you find and correct the condition? If so, go to step  25 . If not, go to step  21 .
  15. Inspect for poor connections at the BCM harness connector. Did you find and correct the condition? If so, go to step  25 . If not, go to step  22 .
  16. Inspect for poor connections at the ignition switch harness connector. Did you find and correct the condition? If so, go to step  25 . If not, go to step  23 .
  17. Inspect for poor connections at the starter solenoid. Did you find and correct the condition? If so, go to step  25 . If not, go to step  24 .
  18. Repair the open or high resistance in the battery positive voltage circuit of the Theft Deterrent relay switch circuit. After repair is complete, go to step  25 .
  19. Repair the short to ground in the supply voltage circuit of the starter solenoid. After repair is complete, go to step  25 .
  20. Replace the Theft Deterrent relay. See Figure for relay location. After replacement is complete, go to step  25 .
  21. Replace the Park/Neutral Position Switch. See
    • For 2003, see PARK/NEUTRAL POSITION SWITCH in AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION article in TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION.
    • For 2004, see PARK/NEUTRAL POSITION SWITCH in AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION article in TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION.
    Replace the Clutch Pedal Position Switch. See CLUTCH PEDAL POSITION SWITCH in CLUTCHES article in TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSIONS. After replacement is complete, go to step  25 .
  22. Replace the BCM. See BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) in BODY CONTROL MODULES article in ACCESSORIES & EQUIPMENT. After replacement is complete, go to step  25 .
  23. Replace the Ignition Switch. See IGNITION SWITCH in GAUGES & INSTRUMENT PANELS article in ACCESSORIES & EQUIPMENT. After replacement is complete, go to step  25 .
  24. Replace the starter. See STARTER MOTOR  under REPLACEMENT PROCEDURES. After replacement is complete, go to next step.
  25. Operate the system for which the symptom occurred. Did you correct the condition? If so, then system is okay. If not, go to step  2 .
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