Principles of Operation: Notes
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Ford Focus. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
On vehicles equipped with automatic transaxles, when the ignition switch is turned to the START position and the vehicle is in the NEUTRAL or PARK position, the starter relay switches power to the starter solenoid, causing the starter motor to engage.
Vehicles equipped with manual transaxles have a clutch cutoff switch in the starter control circuit. When the clutch pedal is applied and the ignition switched is turned to the START position, the starter relay switches power to the starter solenoid causing the starter motor to engage.