depressed. This feature prevents starter motor operation while the clutch disc and the flywheel are engaged. The
starter relay coil ground terminal is always grounded on vehicles with a manual transmission.
If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, battery voltage is supplied through the low-amperage
control circuit to the coil battery terminal of the starter relay when the ignition switch is turned to the Start position.
The park/neutral position switch is installed in series between the starter relay coil ground terminal and ground. This
normally open switch prevents the starter relay from being energized and the starter motor from operating unless
the automatic transmission gear selector is in the Neutral or Park positions.
When the starter relay coil is energized, the normally open relay contacts close. The relay contacts connect the
relay common feed terminal to the relay normally open terminal. The closed relay contacts energize the starter sole-
noid coil windings.
The energized solenoid pull-in coil pulls in the solenoid plunger. The solenoid plunger pulls the shift lever in the
starter motor. This engages the starter overrunning clutch and pinion gear with the starter ring gear.
As the solenoid plunger reaches the end of its travel, the solenoid contact disc completes the high-amperage starter
feed circuit and energizes the solenoid plunger hold-in coil. Current now flows between the solenoid battery terminal
and the starter motor, energizing the starter.
Once the engine starts, the overrunning clutch protects the starter motor from damage by allowing the starter pinion
gear to spin faster than the pinion shaft. When the ignition switch is released to the On position, the starter relay coil
is de-energized. This causes the relay contacts to open. When the relay contacts open, the starter solenoid plunger
hold-in coil is de-energized.
When the solenoid plunger hold-in coil is de-energized, the solenoid plunger return spring returns the plunger to its
relaxed position. This causes the contact disc to open the starter feed circuit, and the shift lever to disengage the
overrunning clutch and pinion gear from the starter ring gear.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - STARTING SYSTEM
The battery, starting, and charging systems operate in conjunction with one another, and must be tested as a com-
plete system. For correct starting/charging system operation, all of the components involved in these 3 systems
must perform within specifications.
Starting System Diagnosis
CONDITION
POSSIBLE CAUSE
CORRECTION
STARTER FAILS TO
OPERATE.
1. Battery discharged or
faulty.
1. Refer to Battery. Charge or replace battery, if required.
2. Starting circuit wiring
faulty.
2. Refer to 8, Wiring Diagrams. Test and repair starter
feed and/or control circuits, if required.
3. Starter relay faulty.
3. Refer to Starter Relay in Diagnosis and Testing.
Replace starter relay if required.
4. Ignition switch faulty.
4. Refer to Ignition Switch and Key Lock Cylinder.
Replace ignition switch if required.
5. Clutch pedal position
switch faulty.
5. Refer to Clutch Pedal Position Switch.
6. Park/Neutral position
switch faulty or
misadjusted.
6. Refer to Park/Neutral Position Switch. Replace
park/neutral position switch if required.
7. Starter solenoid faulty.
7. Refer to Starter Motor. Replace starter motor assembly
if required.
8. Starter motor faulty.
8. If all other starting system components and circuits test
OK, replace starter motor.
8F - 42
STARTING
ND