Starting System

The starting system consists of the following components:

• Starter motor
• Starter motor relay
• Transmission range (TR) sensor
• Battery
• Ignition switch

When the key is placed in the START position, the starter solenoid is energized and a magnetic field is created in the starter solenoid windings. The iron plunger core is drawn into the starter solenoid coil, and a drive lever and pin connected to the starter drive engages the drive pinion gear to the flexplate ring gear. When the plunger is pulled all the way in, its contact disc closes the circuit between the battery and the starter motor solenoid feed terminals. This sends current to the motor, and the drive pinion gear cranks the flexplate to start the engine. When current flows to the starter motor, the starter solenoid pull-in coil is bypassed, and the hold-in coil keeps the drive pinion gear engaged with the flexplate until the ignition switch is released from the START position.

An overrunning clutch in the starter drive protects the starter motor from excessive speeds during the brief period before the driver releases the ignition switch from the START position as the engine starts.

Automatic transmission have a TR sensor mounted on the transaxle. The TR sensor prevents operation of the starter motor unless NEUTRAL or PARK is selected.