GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Buick 🢒 1996 🢒 Riviera 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Electrical 🢒 No Crank

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

DEFINITION:

Starter solenoid does not click, and the engine does not crank.

Important: 

   • The battery must be in a charged state to avoid misdiagnosis. Refer to Battery Charging
   • To avoid misdiagnosis, check for diagnostic trouble codes. Refer to Engine Controls.

1
  1. Put the gear selector to P (Park).
  2. Turn the ignition switch to START.
  3. Observe the SECURITY indicator. The SECURITY indicator should light for 5 seconds and then go out.

Does the SECURITY indicator stay on or flash continuously?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Step 3

2

Refer to Theft Deterrent System, PASS-Key®II (Cell 133).

Are the repairs complete?

--

System OK

--

3
  1. Load test the battery. Refer to Battery Load Test .
  2. Inspect the battery cables and the connections to the battery cables.

Are the battery and the battery cables OK?

--

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 4

4
  1. Replace the battery if it fails the load test. Refer to Battery Replacement .
  2. Repair cable connections and replace cables as needed. Refer to Battery Cable .

Are the repairs complete?

--

System OK

--

5
  1. Remove the INJ fuse (Buick) or the INJ1 fuse and INJ2 fuse (Oldsmobile) from the I/P fuse block to prevent the engine from starting.
  2. Turn the ignition switch to START.
  3. Using a digital multimeter, measure the voltage from the starter solenoid terminal S (PPL wire) to ground.

Is the voltage greater than or equal to the specified value?

8 Volts

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 7

6
  1. Check for poor connections at the starter solenoid terminal S.
  2. Check for a dirty or poor ground between the starter and the engine block.
  3. If OK, repair or replace the starter. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement .

Are the repairs complete?

--

System OK

--

7
  1. Turn the ignition switch to START.
  2. Backprobe the C101 TERM F1.
  3. Disconnect the PPL wire (CKT 6) from the starter solenoid.
  4. Using a digital multimeter, measure the voltage from the female side of C101, TERM F1 to ground.

Is the voltage greater than or equal to the specified value?

8 Volts

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 9

8
  1. Check the C101 terminal contact.
  2. Check CKT 6 from C101 to the starter solenoid (including C131 for Oldsmobile) for an open.
  3. Replace the starter solenoid if OK.

Are the repairs complete?

--

System OK

--

9
  1. Backprobe C102 TERM A2.
  2. Using a digital multimeter, measure the voltage from the female side of C101, TERM A2 to ground.

Is the voltage greater than or equal to the specified value?

8 Volts

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 11

10
  1. Check the C102 terminal contact.
  2. Check CKT 6 form C102 to C101 for an open or short to ground.
  3. Make necessary repairs.

Are the repairs complete?

--

System OK

--

11
  1. Reconnect the PPL wire to the starter solenoid.
  2. Disconnect the Park/Neutral position switch connector C1.
  3. Connect a test lamp between the Park/Neutral position switch CONN C1 TERM G and ground.
  4. Turn the ignition switch to START.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 13

12
  1. Check the operation of the PASS-Key®II theft deterrent system. Refer to Theft Deterrent System, PASS-Key®II (Cell 133).
  2. Check for an open in CKT 625.
  3. Check the Park/Neutral position switch for proper terminal contact or for damage.
  4. Make any necessary repairs.

Are the repairs complete?

--

System OK

--

13
  1. Reconnect the Park/Neutral position switch connector C1.
  2. Remove the crank fuse from the I/P fuse block.
  3. Connect a test lamp between the crank fuse TERM C14 (CKT 5) and ground.
  4. Turn the ignition switch to START.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 15

14
  1. Check for an open in CKT 806.
  2. Check for an open in CKT 575.
  3. Check for high resistance or an open across the starter enable relay coil (terminals A1 and C2).
  4. Make any necessary repairs.

Are the repairs complete?

--

System OK

--

15

Measure the voltage (Backprobe) at the connector C202 terminal D5 (RED) and ground.

Is the voltage above the specified value?

8 Volts

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 16

16
  1. Check the RED (CKT 1442) wiring and the battery booster positive cable for an open or short to ground.
  2. Replace the IGN3 fuse in the rear Maxi® fuse block #2 when necessary.

Are the repairs complete?

--

System OK

--

17
  1. Turn and hold the ignition switch to START.
  2. Using a digital multimeter, measure the voltage between the connector C202 terminal B6 (YEL) (Backprobe) and ground.

Is the voltage above the specified value?

8 Volts

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 19

18
  1. Check for an open in Yellow CKT 5.
  2. Check for an open in PPL CKT 6 between the starter enable relay TERM A2 and CONN C102 TERM A2.
  3. Check the starter enable relay.
  4. Make any necessary repairs.

Are the repairs complete?

--

System OK

--

19
  1. Check the connector C202 (terminals B6 and D5) for proper terminal contact.
  2. Check YEL (CKT 5) wiring for a short to ground.
  3. Inspect the ignition switch for possible damage. Replace if damaged. Refer to Engine Controls.
  4. Check the steering column harness wiring, RED (CKT 1442) YEL (CKT 5) for an open circuit.
  5. Make any necessary repairs.

Are the repairs complete?

--

System OK

--