Circuit Operation - Starter

When the Ignition Switch is moved to the START position, battery voltage is applied to the Starter Solenoid through the PPL. (6) wire On manual transmission vehicles. the clutch pedal must be depressed On automatic transmission vehicles, the transmission Range Switch must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL position. Both solenoid windings are energized. The circuit through the Pull-In Winding is completed to ground through the Starter Motor. The windings work together magnetically to pull in and hold in the Plunger. The Plunger moves the Shift Lever. This action causes the Starter Drive Assembly to rotate as it engages the Flywheel ring gear on the engine. At the same time. the Plunger also closes the solenoid switch contacts in the Starter Solenoid. Full batten, voltage is supplied directly to the Starter Motor and it cranks the engine.

As soon as the Solenoid Switch contacts close, voltage is no longer supplied through the Pull-In Windings, since battery voltage is supplied to both ends of the windings. The Hold-In Winding remains energized, and its magnetic field is strong enough to hold the Plunger, Shift Lever and Drive Assembly Solenoid Switch contacts in place to continue cranking the engine.

When the Ignition Switch is released from the START position. battery voltage is removed from the PPL (6) wire and the junction of the two windings. Voltage is supplied from the motor contacts through both windings to ground at the end if the Hold-In Windings. However, the voltage supplied to the Pull-In Winding is now opposing the voltage supplied 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, with the help of the Return Spring, causes the Starter Drive

Assembly to disengage and Solenoid Switch contacts to open simultaneously. As soon as the contacts open, the starter circuit is turned off.