Starting System: Diagnosis Chevrolet SSR I

DIAGNOSTIC STARTING POINT - ENGINE ELECTRICAL

Begin the system diagnosis with the DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM CHECK - ENGINE ELECTRICAL . The Diagnostic System Check will provide the following information

1. The identification of the control modules which command the system.
2. The ability of the control modules to communicate through the serial data circuit.
3. The identification of any stored diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and their status.

The use of the Diagnostic System Check will identify the correct procedure for diagnosing the system and where the procedure is located.

Test Procedure

1. Did you perform the Battery Inspection/Test? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to «BATTERY TESTING & INSPECTION»(ref-167974-S22412780182004102600000) under ON-VEHICLE TESTING in GENERATORS & REGULATORS article in CHARGING SYSTEM in ELECTRICAL.
2. Install a scan tool. Does the scan tool power up? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to BODY CONTROL MODULES article in COMMUNICATION DEVICES in ACCESSORIES & EQUIPMENT. NOTE: The engine may start during the following step.
3. Turn OFF the engine as soon as you have observed the Crank power mode. Access the Class 2 Power Mode in the Diagnostic Circuit Check on the scan tool. Rotate the ignition switch through all positions while observing the Class 2 Power Mode on the Scan Tool. For a list of the power mode states that correspond to each ignition switch position, go to BODY CONTROL MODULES article in COMMUNICATION DEVICES in ACCESSORIES & EQUIPMENT. Does the Class 2 Power Mode parameter reading match the ignition switch position for all the selected positions? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to BODY CONTROL MODULES article in COMMUNICATION DEVICES in ACCESSORIES & EQUIPMENT.
4. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF. Attempt to communicate with each module on the class 2 serial data circuit. If using a Tech 2, obtain this information using the class 2 Message Monitor feature. Does the scan tool communicate with any module on the class 2 serial data circuit? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to BODY CONTROL MODULES article in COMMUNICATION DEVICES in ACCESSORIES & EQUIPMENT.
5. Select the Display DTCs function for each module. If using a Tech 2, use the Class 2 DTC Check feature in order to determine which modules have DTCs set. Record all of the displayed DTCs the DTC status and the module which set the DTC. Does the scan tool display any DTCs? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to «SYMPTOMS - ENGINE ELECTRICAL»(ref-168742-S32403732322004111700000) .
6. Does the scan tool display any DTC beginning with "U"? If yes, go to BODY CONTROL MODULES article in COMMUNICATION DEVICES in ACCESSORIES & EQUIPMENT. If no, go to next step.
7. Does the scan tool display any DTC beginning with "P"? If yes, go to appropriate article, refer to the following: For 2003, see «DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) TYPE DEFINITIONS»(ref-190955-S34585653762005091400000) in ENGINE PERFORMANCE. For 2004, see SELF-DIAGNOSTICS article in FAULT ISOLATION in ENGINE PERFORMANCE. If no, go to next step.
8. Does the scan tool display any DTC beginning with "B"? If yes, go to BODY CONTROL MODULES article in COMMUNICATION DEVICES in ACCESSORIES & EQUIPMENT. If no, go to «DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE DEFINITIONS»(ref-167974-S35211191052004102600000) under SELF-DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM in GENERATORS & REGULATORS article in CHARGING SYSTEM in ELECTRICAL.

SYMPTOMS - ENGINE ELECTRICAL

The following steps must be completed before using the symptom list.

1. Perform «DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM CHECK - ENGINE ELECTRICAL»(ref-168742-S31323155352004111700000) before using the symptom list in order to verify that there are no DTCs set and that the control module(s) can communicate via the serial data link.
2. Review the system operation in order to familiarize yourself with the system functions. See «DESCRIPTION & OPERATION»(ref-168742-S20350989572004111700000) .

Visual/Physical Inspection

1. Inspect for aftermarket devices which could affect the operation of the starting and charging systems.
2. Inspect the easily accessible or visible system components for obvious damage or conditions which could cause the symptom.

Symptom List

Refer to a symptom diagnostic procedure from the following list in order to diagnose the symptom

1. «STARTER SOLENOID DOES NOT CLICK»(ref-168742-S37534070692004111700000)
2. «STARTER SOLENOID CLICKS, ENGINE DOES NOT CRANK»(ref-168742-S28995717312004111700000)
3. «ENGINE CRANKS SLOWLY»(ref-168742-S28239882732004111700000)
4. «STARTER MOTOR NOISE DIAGNOSIS»(ref-168742-S34984306202004111700000)

Diagnostic Aids

1. Inspect the flywheel ring gear for damage or unusual wear.
2. Shim the starter if applicable.
3. In order to add pinion to ring gear clearance a full size shim must be used. DO NOT shim only 1 starter mounting bolt. There are 3 shims available in different shapes for clearance. All are 0.039" (1 mm) thick.

1. Did you perform the Engine Electrical Diagnostic System Check? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to «DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM CHECK - ENGINE ELECTRICAL»(ref-168742-S31323155352004111700000) .
2. Start the engine. Does the starter operate normally? If yes, go to «INTERMITTENTS»(ref-168742-S10697031152004111700000) under SYMPTOMS - ENGINE ELECTRICAL. If no, go to next step.
3. Start the engine while listening to the starter motor turn. Is there a loud "whoop", it may sound like a siren if the engine is revved while the starter is engaged after the engine starts, but while the starter is still held in the engaged position? If yes, go to step 6 . If no, go to next step.
4. Do you hear a "rumble", a "growl", or, in some cases, a "knock" as the starter is coasting down to a stop after starting the engine? If yes, go to step 7 . If no, go to next step.
5. This is often diagnosed as a starter drive gear hang-in or a weak solenoid. When the engine is cranked, do you hear a high-pitched whine after the engine cranks and starts normally? If yes, go to step 8 . If no, go to step 7 .
6. Inspect the flywheel ring gear for chipped gear teeth, missing gear teeth and milled teeth. Is the flywheel bent, or does it have damaged teeth? If yes, go to step 9 . If no, go to step 10 .
7. Remove the starter motor. See «STARTER MOTOR REPLACEMENT»(ref-168742-S11953400422004111700000) under REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. Inspect the starter motor bushings and clutch gear. Does the clutch gear have chipped or milled teeth or worn bushings? If yes, go to step 10 . If no, go to step 9 .
8. Shim the starter motor away from the flywheel by adding shims between the starter motor and the engine block one at a time. Flywheel runout may make this noise appear to be intermittent. Did you complete the repair? If yes, go to step 11 .
9. Replace the flywheel. See REMOVAL & INSTALLATION article in AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION in TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION. Did you complete the replacement? If yes, go to step 11 .
10. Replace the starter motor. See «STARTER MOTOR REPLACEMENT»(ref-168742-S11953400422004111700000) under REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. Did you complete the replacement? If yes, go to next step.
11. Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? If yes, the system is okay. If no, go to step 3 .