Starting

When the ignition switch is moved to the "START" position and the gear selector lever is in "PARK" or "NEUTRAL," battery voltage is supplied from the BATT 2 fuse through CKT 342 (RED), the ignition switch, CKT 5 (YEL), the park/neutral position switch and CKT 1737 (YEL) to the starter enable relay coil. At the same time, a start request is sent by the PASS-Key(R) H input to the instrument panel cluster (IPC). If correct PASS-Key(R) II system resistance is sensed, then the IPC energizes the starter enable relay by grounding one side of the relay coil. (Refer to Antitheft and Alarm Systems for PASS-Key(R) II circuit description.) Antitheft and Alarm Systems

Once the starter enable relay is energized, the normally-open contacts close, completing the circuit from BATT fuse, through CKT 142 (RED), the closed relay contacts and CKT 6 (PPL) to the starter solenoid. Completing the starter solenoid circuit energizes both the hold-in and pull-in windings. The circuit through the pull-in winding is completed to ground through the starter motor. The winding S work together magnetically to pull and hold in the plunger. The plunger moves the shift lever.

This action causes the starter drive assembly to rotate as it engages with the flywheel ring gear on the engine. Rotating at the same time, the plunger also closes the solenoid switch contacts in the starter solenoid. Full battery voltage is applied directly to the starter motor and it cranks the engine.

As soon as the solenoid switch contacts close, current stops flowing through the pull-in winding because battery voltage is applied to both ends of the windings. The hold-in winding remains energized; its magnetic field is strong enough to hold the plunger, shift lever, and starter drive assembly solenoid switch contacts in place to continue cranking the engine.

Releasing the ignition switch from the "START" position removes battery voltage from the PPL (6) and the junction of the two windings. Current flows from the motor contacts through both windings to ground at the end of the hold-in winding. However, the direction of the current flow through the pull-in winding is now opposite the direction of current flow when the winding was first energized.

The magnetic fields of the pull-in and hold-in windings now oppose one another. This action of the windings, along with the help of the return spring, causes the starter drive assembly to disengage and the solenoid switch contacts to open simultaneously. As soon as the contacts open, the starter circuit turns off.

Starter Inhibit Operation
The starter inhibit function that prevents engagement of the starter once the engine is running. The PCM checks for an engine RPM signal greater than engine cranking speed. Once the engine is running, the PCM provides the starter inhibit Class II signal to the IPC. This input signal opens the starter enable relay control.

Once the relay control is prevented from closing, any ignition key input is ignored; the starter is prevented from engaging while the engine is running.