Operation

With the ignition switch in START the starter relay enabled and the transaxle in P (Park) or N (Neutral), current flows to the S terminal of the motor solenoid. Current through the pull-in winding also flows through the starter motor. The motor turns slowly at first so the gears mesh and the solenoid contacts close. This allows full battery current to flow directly to the cranking motor. With full battery voltage at the M terminal, the starter motor armature rotates and cranks the engine.

When the ignition switch is released from the START position, current to the S terminal is cut off. Current from the battery continues to flow to the cranking motor through the pull-in and hold-in windings. The current through the windings flows in opposite directions so it creates opposing magnetic fields. The fields cancel each other, releasing the driver mechanism. The shift lever returns to its at-rest position and the starter solenoid contacts open, cutting off current to the starter motor.