Starting System: Other Pontiac Vibe I

Intermittent

Faulty electrical connections or wiring may be the cause of intermittent conditions. See TESTING FOR INTERMITTENT AND POOR CONNECTIONS .

STARTER SOLENOID DOES NOT CLICK

1. Did you review following description and operations and perform the necessary inspections? See «DESCRIPTION & OPERATION»(ref-168689-S29785435862004111500000). See «DESCRIPTION & OPERATION»(ref-168287-S34015841002004110300000) in GENERATORS & REGULATORS in CHARGING SYSTEM in ELECTRICAL. If yes, go to next step. If no, see «SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS»(ref-168689-S22999390872004111600000).
2. Turn the ignition to the START position. Does the starter solenoid click? If yes, see «TESTING FOR INTERMITTENT AND POOR CONNECTIONS»(ref-168689-S14752012402004111600000). If no, go to next step.
3. Is the security indicator flashing? If yes, see THEFT DETERRENT DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM CHECK under SELF-DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM in ANTI-THEFT SYSTEMS article in DOOR LOCKS & ANTI-THEFT SYSTEMS in ACCESSORIES & EQUIPMENT. If no, go to next step.
4. Install a scan tool. With a scan tool, observe the Starter Switch parameter in the Engine Data list. Turn the ignition switch to the START position. Does the scan tool display Cranking? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 17.
5. Does the vehicle have Theft Deterrent? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 8.
6. Turn the ignition to the START position. Does the Starter Cut Relay click? (Схема №4) If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 9.
7. Turn the ignition to the START position. Does the ST Relay click? (Схема №5) If yes, go to step 15. If no, go to step 11.
8. Turn the ignition to the START position. Does the ST Relay click? (Схема №5) If yes, go to step 15. If no, go to step 12.
9. Turn OFF the ignition. Disconnect the Starter Cut Relay. (Схема №4) Connect a test lamp between the crank voltage circuit of the Starter Cut Relay coil and ground. Turn the ignition to the START position. Does the test lamp illuminate? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 32.
10. Connect a test lamp between the crank voltage circuit of the Starter Cut Relay coil and the control circuit of the Starter Cut Relay coil. See «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(ref-168689-S38426269932004111600000). Turn the ignition to the START position. Does the test lamp illuminate? If yes, go to step 25. If no, go to step 22.
11. Turn OFF the ignition. Disconnect the ST Relay. (Схема №5) Connect a test lamp between the crank voltage circuit of the ST Relay coil and ground. Turn the ignition to the START position. Does the test lamp illuminate? If yes, go to step 13. If no, go to step 14.
12. Turn OFF the ignition. Disconnect the ST Relay. (Схема №5) Connect a test lamp between the crank voltage circuit of the ST Relay coil and a good ground. Turn the ignition to the START position. Does the test lamp illuminate? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 33.
13. Connect a test lamp between the crank voltage circuit of the ST Relay coil and the ground circuit of the ST Relay coil. See «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(ref-168689-S38426269932004111600000). Turn the ignition to the START position. Does the test lamp illuminate? If yes, go to step 26. If no, go to step 34.
14. Leaving the test lamp in place. Turn OFF the ignition. Disconnect the Starter Cut Relay. (Схема №4) Connect a 3 Amp fused jumper between the ignition voltage circuits of the Starter Cut Relay switch. See «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(ref-168689-S38426269932004111600000). Turn the ignition to the START position. Does the test lamp illuminate? If yes, go to step 25. If no, go to step 35.
15. Turn OFF the ignition. Disconnect the ST Relay. (Схема №5) Connect a test lamp between the battery positive voltage circuit of the ST Relay switch and a good ground. Does the test lamp illuminate? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 36. NOTE: The engine may crank during this procedure.
16. Connect a 30 Amp fused jumper between the battery positive voltage circuit of the ST Relay switch and the starter solenoid crank voltage circuit. See «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(ref-168689-S38426269932004111600000). Does the engine crank? If yes, go to step 26. If no, go to step 23.
17. Does the vehicle have an automatic transmission? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 20.
18. Turn OFF the ignition. Disconnect the Park/Neutral Position (PNP) switch. Connect a 10 Amp fused jumper between the crank voltage circuit and the starter solenoid crank voltage circuit of the PNP switch. Turn the ignition to the START position. Does the engine crank? If yes, go to step 27. If no, go to next step.
19. Connect a test lamp between the crank voltage circuit of the PNP switch and ground. Turn the ignition to the START position. Does the test lamp illuminate? If yes, go to step 37. If no, go to step 24.
20. Turn OFF the ignition. Disconnect the Clutch Pedal Position (CPP) switch. Connect a 10 Amp fused jumper between the crank voltage circuit and the starter solenoid crank voltage circuit of the CPP switch. Turn the ignition to the START position. Does the engine crank? If yes, go to step 28. If no, go to next step.
21. Connect a test lamp between the crank voltage circuit of the CPP switch and a good ground. Turn the ignition to the START position. Does the test lamp illuminate? If yes, go to step 38. If no, go to step 24.
22. Test the control circuit of the Starter Cut Relay coil for a high resistance or an open. See «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(ref-168689-S38426269932004111600000). Did you find and correct the condition? If yes, go to step 46. If no, go to step 31.
23. Test the starter solenoid crank voltage circuit for a high resistance or an open. See «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(ref-168689-S38426269932004111600000). Did you find and correct the condition? If yes, go to step 46. If no, go to step 30.
24. Test the crank voltage circuit of the PNP or CPP switch a high resistance or an open. See «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(ref-168689-S38426269932004111600000). Did you find and correct the condition? If yes, go to step 46. If no, go to step 29.
25. Inspect for a poor connection at the Starter Cut Relay. See «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(ref-168689-S38426269932004111600000). Did you find and correct the condition? If yes, go to step 46. If no, go to step 39.
26. Inspect for a poor connection at the ST Relay. See «TESTING FOR INTERMITTENT AND POOR CONNECTIONS»(ref-168689-S14752012402004111600000). Did you find and correct the condition?
27. Inspect for a poor connection at the PNP switch. See «TESTING FOR INTERMITTENT AND POOR CONNECTIONS»(ref-168689-S14752012402004111600000). Did you find and correct the condition? If yes, go to step 46. If no, go to step 41.
28. Inspect for a poor connection at the CPP switch. See «TESTING FOR INTERMITTENT AND POOR CONNECTIONS»(ref-168689-S14752012402004111600000). Did you find and correct the condition? If yes, go to step 46. If no, go to step 42.
29. Inspect for a poor connection at the ignition switch. See «TESTING FOR INTERMITTENT AND POOR CONNECTIONS»(ref-168689-S14752012402004111600000). Did you find and correct the condition? If yes, go to step 46. If no, go to step 43.
30. Inspect for a poor connection at the starter solenoid. See «TESTING FOR INTERMITTENT AND POOR CONNECTIONS»(ref-168689-S14752012402004111600000). Did you find and correct the condition? If yes, go to step 46. If no, go to step 44.
31. Inspect for a poor connection at the Theft Deterrent Module. See «TESTING FOR INTERMITTENT AND POOR CONNECTIONS»(ref-168689-S14752012402004111600000). Did you find and correct the condition? If yes, go to step 46. If no, go to step 45.
32. Repair the high resistance or open in the crank voltage circuit of the Start Cut Relay between the Start Cut Relay and S111 for manual transmissions or SP108 for automatic transmissions. See «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(ref-168689-S38426269932004111600000). Go to step 46.
33. Repair the high resistance or open in the crank voltage circuit of the ST relay between the ST relay and S111 for manual transmissions or SP108 for automatic transmissions. See «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(ref-168689-S38426269932004111600000). Go to step 46.
34. Repair the high resistance or open in the ground circuit of the ST Relay coil. See «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(ref-168689-S38426269932004111600000). Go to step 46.
35. Repair the high resistance or open in the crank voltage circuit of the ST Relay coil between the ST Relay and Starter Cut Relay. See «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(ref-168689-S38426269932004111600000). Go to step 46.
36. Repair the high resistance or open in the battery positive voltage circuit of the ST Relay switch. See «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(ref-168689-S38426269932004111600000). Go to step 46.
37. Repair the high resistance or open in the starter solenoid crank voltage circuit between the PNP switch and S111. See «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(ref-168689-S38426269932004111600000). Go to step 46.
38. Repair the high resistance or open in the starter solenoid crank voltage circuit between the CPP switch and SP108. See «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(ref-168689-S38426269932004111600000). Go to step 46.
39. Replace the Starter Cut Relay. (Схема №4) Go to step 46.
40. Replace the ST Relay. (Схема №5) Go to step 46.
41. Replace the PNP switch. See PARK/NEUTRAL POSITION SWITCH under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION in appropriate SERVICING - A/T article in AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION in TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION. Go to step 46.
42. Replace the CPP switch. See «CLUTCH PEDAL POSITION (CPP) SWITCH»(ref-168689-S28066461212004111600000) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Go to step 46.
43. Replace the ignition switch. See IGNITION SWITCH under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION in STEERING COLUMNS in STEERING. Go to step 46.
44. Replace the starter. See «STARTER»(ref-168689-S19361666742004111600000) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
45. Replace the Theft Deterrent Module. See THEFT DETERRENT MODULE under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION in ANTI-THEFT SYSTEMS in DOOR LOCKS & ANTI-THEFT SYSTEMS in ACCESSORIES & EQUIPMENT.
46. Operate the system for which the symptom occurred. Did you correct the condition? If no, go back to step 4.

STARTER SOLENOID CLICKS, ENGINE DOES NOT CRANK

1. Did you review the following description and operations and perform the necessary inspections? See «DESCRIPTION & OPERATION»(ref-168689-S29785435862004111500000) . See «DESCRIPTION & OPERATION»(ref-168287-S34015841002004110300000) in GENERATORS & REGULATORS in CHARGING SYSTEM in ELECTRICAL. If yes, go to next step. If no, see «SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS»(ref-168689-S22999390872004111600000) .
2. Turn the ignition to the START position. Did the starter solenoid click? If yes, go to next step. If no, see «STARTER SOLENOID DOES NOT CLICK»(ref-168689-S13233653972004111600000) .
3. Inspect the engine and belt drive system for mechanical binding, seized engine, seized generator. Does the engine move freely? If yes, go to next step. If no, see 1.8L 4-CYLINDER in ENGINE MECHANICAL in ENGINE.
4. Test the battery positive cable between the battery and the starter solenoid for high resistance. Did you find and correct the condition? If yes, go to step 8 . If no, go to next step.
5. Test the ground circuit between the battery and the starter motor for a high resistance. Did you find and correct the condition? If yes, go to step 8 . If no, go to next step.
6. Inspect for poor connections at the starter. See «TESTING FOR INTERMITTENT AND POOR CONNECTIONS»(ref-168689-S14752012402004111600000) . Did you find and correct the condition? If yes, go to step 8 . If no, go to next step.
7. Replace the Starter. See «STARTER»(ref-168689-S19361666742004111600000) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
8. Operate the system for which the symptom occurred. Did you correct the condition? If no, go back to step 3 .

ENGINE CRANKS SLOWLY

Inspect the following items

1. Battery - Perform the Battery Inspection/Test. See «BATTERY TESTING & INSPECTION»(ref-168287-S17006183932004110300000) under ON-VEHICLE TESTING in GENERATORS & REGULATORS in CHARGING SYSTEM in ELECTRICAL.
2. Wiring - Inspect the wiring for damage. Inspect all connections to the starter motor, the solenoid, the battery, and all ground connections. See «TESTING FOR INTERMITTENT AND POOR CONNECTIONS»(ref-168689-S14752012402004111600000) . See «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(ref-168689-S38426269932004111600000) .
3. Engine - Verify that the engine is not seized.

If the battery, the wiring, and the engine are functioning properly, and the engine continues to crank slowly, replace the starter motor. See

STARTER

under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.

Round Wire Connectors

Follow the procedure below to test terminal contact of Metri-Pack or 56 series terminals.

1. Separate the connector halves.
2. Visually inspect the connector halves for contamination. Contamination may result in a white or green build-up within the connector body or between terminals. This causes high terminal resistance, intermittent contact, or an open circuit. An underhood or underbody connector that shows signs of contamination should be replaced in its entirety: terminals, seals, and connector body.
3. Using an equivalent male terminal, test that the retention force is significantly different between a good terminal and a suspect terminal. Replace the female terminal in question.

Flat Wire (Dock and Lock) Connectors

There are no serviceable parts for flat wire (dock and lock) connectors on the harness side or the component side.

Follow the procedure below in order to test terminal contact.

1. Remove the component in question.
2. Visually inspect each side of the connector for signs of contamination. Avoid touching either side of the connector as oil from your skin may be a source of contamination as well.
3. Visually inspect the terminal bearing surfaces of the flat wire circuits for splits, cracks, or other imperfections that could cause poor terminal contact. Visually inspect the component side connector to ensure that all of the terminals are uniform and free of damage or deformation.
4. Insert the appropriate adapter on the flat wire harness connector in order to test the circuit in question.

PARK/NEUTRAL POSITION (PNP) SWITCH

For PNP switch removal and installation procedure, see PARK/NEUTRAL POSITION SWITCH under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION in appropriate SERVICING - A/T article in AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION in TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION.

STARTER