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Engine will not turn over

Tiny
DANE DESPAW SR.
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
  • 3.4L
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 195,000 MILES
Sometimes when I turn the key, it starts right up. Sometimes I turn the key and get nothing at all. If I leave the key on and get under it and jump across the starter with a screwdriver, it will spin, but won't kick in and engage with the flywheel. I replaced the starter, and have the same results. Is there a way to test the relay? Or should I be looking somewhere else?
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:09 PM

58 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon,

I attached a wiring diagram for you to view.

Do you have a test light or voltmeter to do checks on the starting system?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Roy
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:24 PM
Tiny
DANE DESPAW SR.
  • MEMBER
  • 72 POSTS
Yes I do. I have also been advised that it could have something to do with security system? When I turn the key on, the icon for that stays lit. I don’t know if it’s supposed to though.
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:53 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, it should go out after about 10 seconds. Does it do that?

I attached a guide to reset for you to try as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system

Roy
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 1:13 PM
Tiny
DANE DESPAW SR.
  • MEMBER
  • 72 POSTS
The security stays on as long as the key is on. I will try the reset steps you sent me.
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 1:29 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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Okay, sounds good.

Keep us updated with the results.

Roy
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 1:38 PM
Tiny
DANE DESPAW SR.
  • MEMBER
  • 72 POSTS
I tried all the steps you forwarded to me and they didn’t work. I left the battery disconnected overnight, still nothing. I turned the key in this morning and after just 2 or 3 minutes, it started doing this (see video). As of now, the security light is not on, but it still won’t turn over.
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Sunday, June 21st, 2020 AT 7:12 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, I could not hear a thing. What was being done during that video?

Roy
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Sunday, June 21st, 2020 AT 7:16 AM
Tiny
DANE DESPAW SR.
  • MEMBER
  • 72 POSTS
I was just sitting with the key in the on position. The security light and a couple other lights started flashing rapidly and then the security light turned off. It was staying on and solid (not flashing) before this occurred.
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Sunday, June 21st, 2020 AT 7:24 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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Okay, does the engine crank over now?

Roy
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Sunday, June 21st, 2020 AT 8:29 AM
Tiny
DANE DESPAW SR.
  • MEMBER
  • 72 POSTS
Okay. The security light has gone out. I’m not getting power to the solenoid. Battery is fully charged. Checked fuses, all good. Swapped relays around. Still nothing.
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Sunday, June 21st, 2020 AT 8:49 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, you need to go to the relay.

With the key on, remove the relay and test for power at one of the pins. You should have 1 pin with power.

Then have someone hold the key to the start position and there should be power to another pin.

I posted the wire diagram in my first response.

Roy
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Sunday, June 21st, 2020 AT 8:54 AM
Tiny
DANE DESPAW SR.
  • MEMBER
  • 72 POSTS
I am getting power to two pins with the key on and when turned to start position.
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Sunday, June 21st, 2020 AT 9:02 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, with the key on, only one should have power. The second power should only be there when the key is in the start position.

Okay, install the relay again. Have someone turn the key to start and see if the relay clicks.

Roy
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Sunday, June 21st, 2020 AT 9:09 AM
Tiny
DANE DESPAW SR.
  • MEMBER
  • 72 POSTS
Yes it does click.
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Sunday, June 21st, 2020 AT 9:14 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, the control side is working.

Go to the starter itself and the little wire on the solenoid. The little purple wire should have power in the start position.

If it does, you need a starter motor.

If it does not, then you have a wiring issue between the fuse block and the starter solenoid.

Roy
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Sunday, June 21st, 2020 AT 9:18 AM
Tiny
DANE DESPAW SR.
  • MEMBER
  • 72 POSTS
The wire to the solenoid doesn’t have power. I also want to note the start fuse next to the relay doesn’t have power to it either.
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Sunday, June 21st, 2020 AT 9:24 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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You stated you had 2 powers at the relay, one in the start position. If you did have that power, then it passes through that fuse. That fuse is only hot in the start position.

If the relay clicked, power has to go through that fuse.

Roy
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Sunday, June 21st, 2020 AT 9:27 AM
Tiny
DANE DESPAW SR.
  • MEMBER
  • 72 POSTS
Okay. I didn’t know that, so I wanted to point it out.
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Sunday, June 21st, 2020 AT 9:28 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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I would have gone there if you had to power to the relay in start position.

Roy
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Sunday, June 21st, 2020 AT 9:35 AM
Tiny
DANE DESPAW SR.
  • MEMBER
  • 72 POSTS
Just re reading some of your responses. Relay has two pins with power whether the key is just on and in start position both.
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Sunday, June 21st, 2020 AT 9:40 AM

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