Engine starter not working?

Tiny
DONNESCH
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 GMC ENVOY
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 95,000 MILES
Today Envoy won't start-just makes clicking sound. All electronics appear to work. Altonator and battery replaced one year ago.
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Monday, March 21st, 2016 AT 12:59 AM

37 Replies

Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
This sounds like you have a bad connection or the starter motor had gone bad but to be sure these guides will help us fix it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Monday, March 21st, 2016 AT 2:23 AM
Tiny
ALLENRTASSINARI
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I had this problem the guide helped me find the bad starter. I got new one from amazon and BAM! All fixed.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 1:11 PM
Tiny
HERMIT
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
  • 2006 GMC ENVOY
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 158,000 MILES
New battery, starter, MAP sensor, ignition switch. Lights up dash but will not start.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 1:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
Hi,

Does the starter engage and turn the engine? Have you checked fuses as well as the starter relay?

If it does engage and the engine doesn't start, take a look through this link:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

If it doesn't crank or engage the starter, take a look through this link that explains how to test a starter. I realize the starter is new, but I need to confirm if power is getting to it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

If the starter does not engage follow the next steps.

I attached two pics below. I need you to confirm the fuses indicated are good and there is power to them. Also, if there is another relay in the box with the same part number, switch it with the starter relay.

Note: I would also like you to confirm that the gear selection light indicates park. Additionally, see if it will start in neutral.

________________________________________________

Here are a few links you may find helpful when testing:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-car-fuse-works

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

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

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

______________________________________________

Let me know.
Joe

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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 1:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HERMIT
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Hello, thanks for the info.I had a mobile mechanic come to my house. He is coming back. He got it started but said the wire on the starter has a short which is causing random lights, locks and gauges inoperable. Will let you know how I make out. Times are tough, so thanks for your help.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 1:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
I completely understand. If you get the chance, let me know what is found.

Take care and let me know if I can help.

Joe
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 1:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HERMIT
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
My daughter had a mechanic at a shop to come and check it out. Paid him sixty bucks and all he did was to get it started. He didn't return. Not starting again. Gas gauge now shows full(I wish) and radio not working. Security light stays on after I try to start after all gauge lights go out. We haven't used the car remotes in a few years and I can't locate them, so back at it again.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 1:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
Hi,

If the security light is staying on, I need you to try something. Turn the key to the run position (engine off) and wait approximately 10 minutes. See if the light goes off. If it does, see if it will start.

If that does nothing, let me know if the starter is still engaging and turning the engine normally.

Let me know what happens.

Joe
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 1:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TIGERMOM30
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2005 GMC ENVOY
  • 4.2L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Went and got an oil change ran great. Parked it over night, went to start it in the morning and absolutely nothing. No power inside or out, no crank no start. We have changed the starter, starter solenoid, ignition switch, numeral safety switch, starter relay, negative cable, also had the battery and alternator checked all good. Please help at a loss now.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 1:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good evening.

Does it run at this time?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight

Roy
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 1:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HERMIT
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Hi Joe, it started! The security light stayed on.I shut it off and waited for the lights to go off from my door. They did and tail lights flashed twice.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 1:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TIGERMOM30
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
No, still no power at all.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 1:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HERMIT
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Update: second attempt was a no start with a nice light show in and out. Security light on. Waited a bit for another try. No light show this time but battery and security and battery light on. Closed the door while I'm sitting in it and the battery light goes off and security light stays on. Wait a bit to try again and after a few attempts it starts but all cluster is lit up. Turn it off and the battery and security light stays on. Each shut off after a few minutes. 9k I'm going to stop for the night. Really confused.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 1:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Okay, do you have a voltmeter to check the battery voltage?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Roy
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 1:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
If it is starting after waiting the 10 minutes, it is a security issue. Do you have a spare key you could try? If not, and I hate to say this, you need to have it scanned. It will require an upper level scanner. A basic powertrain scanner won't read the codes.

Let me know if that is what is happening. If you could, let me know what you meant by everything on the dash lit up.

Joe
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 1:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TIGERMOM30
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes, battery is good.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 1:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HERMIT
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Good afternoon! Called another mobile mechanic and he's going to look at it. Off the top of his head, he said it might be an immobilizer lockout. Ill let you know how I make out.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 1:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
What is the voltage?

Roy
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 1:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
Hi,

That is what I suspect as well. If it starts after sitting for the 10 minutes, the security (immobilizer) is being bypassed.

Let me know. I'm really interested in knowing if that is it.

Take care,
Joe
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 1:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LARRYNELSON
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 GMC ENVOY
2006 GMC Envoy

newbattery just clicks
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 1:12 PM (Merged)

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