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

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1
  1. Turn the ignition switch to the START position.
  2. 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 .

Did the battery check as 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 INJECTOR Fuse 7 from the IP Junction Block to prevent the engine from starting.
  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 AIRBAG/VATS Fuse 2E from the I/P Fuse Block.
  2. Connect a test lamp between the AIRBAG/VATS Fuse 2E terminal B1, 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 CKT 575 OK?

--

Go to Step 31

Go to Step 32

11

Replace the battery. Refer to Battery Replacement in Engine Electrical.

Is the battery replacement complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

12

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

Is the battery cable 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 in Engine Electrical.
  3. If OK, replace the starter. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement in Engine Electrical.

Is the starter replacement complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

14

Repair the open or short to ground in CKT 6 (PPL). Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

in Wiring Systems.

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 Park/Neutral Position Switch Replacement in Automatic Transaxle - 4T65-E.

Is the park/neutral position (PNP) switch replacement complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

17

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

Is CKT 625 OK?

--

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 32

18

Replace the Pass-Key®II Decoder Module. Refer to Theft Deterrent Module Replacement in Theft Deterrent Systems.

Is the Pass-Key®II Decoder Module replacement complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

19

Check the AIRBAG/VATS Fuse 2E in the I/P Fuse Block for an open.

Is the AIRBAG/VATS Fuse 2E OK?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 20

20
  1. Repair the short to ground in CKT 806 (PPL). Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.
  2. Replace the AIRBAG/VATS Fuse 2E in the I/P Fuse Block. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the circuit repair and fuse replacement complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

21

Repair the open in CKT 806 (PPL). Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

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 S217 and the I/P Fuse Block. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the circuit repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

24

Backprobe with a test lamp between the ignition switch connector C202 terminal D5, CKT 1342 (RED).

Does the test lamp light?

--

Go to Step 25

Go to Step 27

25

Check for an open in CKT 5 (YEL) between S217 and the ignition switch connector C202.

Is the CKT 5 OK?

--

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 32

26

Replace the ignition switch. Refer to Ignition & Dimmer Switch Assembly in Tilt Strg Col Unit Repair (SIR).

Is the ignition switch replacement complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

27

Check the IGN SW Fuse in the RH MaxiFuse® Block for an open.

Is the IGN SW Fuse OK?

--

Go to Step 29

Go to Step 28

28

Repair the short to ground in CKT 1342 (RED). Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the circuit repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

29

Repair the open in CKT 1342 (RED). Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the circuit repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

30

Repair the open in CKT 5 (YEL) between S217 and the starter enable relay. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems..

Is the circuit repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

31

Replace the starter enable relay. Refer to Theft Deterrent Relay Replacement in Theft Deterrent.

Is the starter enable relay replacement complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--

32

Repair the suspect circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the circuit repair complete?

--

Go to Starting System Check

--