GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

The PG model starter motors are non-repairable. They have pole pieces that are arranged around the armature. Both solenoid windings are energized. The pull-in winding circuit is connected to the ground through the starter motor. The windings work together magnetically to pull and hold in the plunger. The plunger moves the shift lever. This action causes the starter drive assembly to rotate on the armature shaft spline as it engages with the flywheel ring gear on the engine. Moving at the same time, the plunger also closes the solenoid switch contacts in the starter solenoid. Full battery voltage is applied directly to the starter motor and it cranks the engine.

As soon as the solenoid switch contacts close, current stops flowing thorough the pull-in winding because battery voltage is applied to both ends of the windings. The hold-in winding remains energized; its magnetic field is strong enough to hold the plunger, shift lever, starter drive assembly, and solenoid switch contacts in place to continue cranking the engine. When the engine starts, pinion overrun protects the armature from excessive speed until the switch is opened.

When the engine control module (ECM) sees an engine run flag, the ground is removed from the control circuit of the STARTER relay. The switch side of the STARTER relay opens and battery voltage is removed from the starter solenoid S terminal. Current flows from the motor contacts through both windings to the ground at the end of the hold-in winding. However, the direction of the current flow through the pull-in winding is now opposite the direction of the current flow when the winding was first energized.

The magnetic fields of the pull-in and hold-in windings now oppose one another. This action of the windings, along with the help of the return spring, causes the starter drive assembly to disengage and the solenoid switch contacts to open simultaneously. As soon as the contacts open, the starter circuit is turned OFF.

Circuit Description

Pressing the Start switch sends a discrete input to the instrument panel module (IPM) notifying it that engine start has been requested. The IPM then verifies that the brake pedal has been depressed with a discrete input from the brake pedal switch and that the keyless entry transmitter, with the correct code, is in the vehicle. After this information has been verified the IPM grounds the control side of the IGN 1 relay closing the switch side of it and allowing battery positive voltage to flow from the STARTER fuse through the STARTER relay switch, ECM fuse to the battery positive voltage side of the STARTER relay coil. The IPM also sends a high speed GMLAN message to the engine control module (ECM) requesting engine start. The ECM will then verify that the internal mode switch (IMS) is in Park of Neutral. After this has been verified, the ECM grounds the control circuit of the STARTER relay closing the STARTER relay switch circuit and allowing battery positive voltage to flow through the STARTER fuse, the STATER relay switch to the S terminal of the starter solenoid cranking the engine. Ground is supplied through the engine block.

Remote Vehicle Start (RVS)

To operate the function, first press and release the lock button on the keyless entry transmitter, then press the remote vehicle start (RVS) button for 2 seconds. The vehicle park lamps will be illuminated to indicate that the engine is running. The vehicle doors will be able to be unlocked. The RVS function is allowed to start the vehicle 2 times for 10-minute intervals. If the remote door lock receiver (RCDLR) receives a second request for an RVS event while already operating in RVS then the first timer times out and then the second timer starts. If the RVS button was pressed for the first time and then 7 minutes later the RVS button was pressed a second time, the total time for the RVS event would be 17 minutes. When the RVS button is pressed for the second time, the first 10-minute interval automatically stops and the IPM starts counting the second 10-minute interval. After the first event times out, 10-minutes, the second event must be requested within 20 minutes or the function is disabled.

RVS can be deactivated by pressing the RVS button on the keyless entry transmitter, pressing the hazard switch, or by pressing the ACC/OFF portion of the Start/ACC/OFF mode button. There are also other safety and security measures that will deactivate RVS, these include depressing the accelerator pedal or opening the hood. RVS will not function with any current or history DTCs are set. The park lights will flash once when the RVS signal is received by the RCDLR, but the vehicle will not start. If the vehicle is put into the valet mode by pressing the valet switch, RVS will also be disabled.

RVS is designed to transition for RVS to normal engine run operation without any apparent change to the customer except entering the vehicle with a valid keyless entry transmitter and pressing the mode switch to the RUN position.

While in RVS mode all modules that are powered by the IGN 1 relay shall be active and understand that RVS is active. All on-board diagnostics (OBD) II functions shall also be active.

The current state of RVS can be viewed through the driver information center (DIC) display under the Remote Start the display will read either ON or OFF.

The HVAC preset RVS settings are as follows:

    • Inside air temperature input below 22°C (72°F), the HVAC system will set the blower motor speed to high speed, set the mode door to the defrost position, set the temperature door to the full hot position and set the recirculation door to the outside air position.
    • Inside air temperature input above 26°C (79°F), the HVAC system will set the blower motor speed to high speed, set the mode door to the panel position, set the temperature door to the full cold position, request air conditioning (A/C) compressor operation and set the recirculation door to the recirculate position.
    • Inside air temperature input between 22-26°C (72-79°F), the HVAC system will set the blower motor speed to a medium speed, set the mode door to the panel position, set the temperature door to the full cold position, request A/C compressor operation and set the recirculation door to the outside air position.
        Once the ignition switch is place to the RUN position the HVAC system reverts back to its last known setting.

Disable RVS

To disable the remote vehicle start (RVS) function perform the following steps:

  1. All doors must be closed.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. Press the Menu button on the driver information center (DIC) until REMOTE START appears on the display.
  4. Press the Enter button on the DIC until ON is displayed.

The current state of RVS can be viewed through he DIC display under the Remote Start the display will read either On or Off.

Enable RVS

To enable the remote vehicle start (RVS) function perform the following steps:

  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. Press the Menu button on the driver information center (DIC) until REMOTE START appears on the display.
  3. Press the Enter button on the DIC and then ON is displayed.

The current state of RVS can be viewed through the DIC display under the Remoter Start the display will read either On or Off.

Hood Ajar Switch

The hood switch provides status of the hood to the rear integration module (RIM) for remoter vehicle start (RVS) functions. It is integrated into the hood latch assembly. The hood ajar switch provides 2 separate inputs to the RIM. When the hood is closed, the hood ajar open signal circuit is approximately battery voltage. The hood ajar closed signal circuit is pulled low to ground. The opposite occurs when the hood is opened.

Circuit Description (RVS)

The instrument panel module (IPM) is the main controller for remoter vehicle start (RVS). It handles the majority of the RVS functions from how long RVS last to protecting the vehicle from theft while RVS is active.

Once the remoter control door lock receiver (RCDLR) receives a signal from the keyless entry transmitter, the instrument panel module (IPM) reviews the following information from the rear integration module (RIM) to determine if a Crank Request message will be sent to the engine control module (ECM) to activate (RVS):

    • Valet mode not enabled.
    • Rear compartment lid is not ajar.
    • No keyless entry transmitters are inside the vehicle.
    • Valid hood ajar switch closed signal.
    • All the doors are closed and locked.
    • The hazard switch is OFF.
    • Vehicle power mode is correct.

The ECM relies on the RVS message from the IPM to enable RVS when the Crank Request signal is received. If the ECM does not receive a valid RVS message from the IPM, the ECM will not ground the control circuit of the Starter relay and start the engine. While the ECM is in RVS mode it will cut fuel to the engine if any of the following additional conditions occur:

    • Vehicle speed is greater than 0 km/h
    • Engine overheating
    • Low oil pressure
    • The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is commanded ON.
    • Engine crank time is greater than 30 seconds.
    • Engine speed is greater than 2,000 RPM for more than 10 seconds.
    • Engine speed is greater than 4,000 RPM for more than 2 seconds.
    • Throttle position (TP) is greater than 10 percent for 2 seconds.
    • Remote start timer equals 0.