STARTING SYSTEM General Description The starting motor is used to turn the engine flywheel fast enough to make the engine run. The starting motor has a solenoid. When the ignition switch is activated, voltage from the electrical system will cause the solenoid to move the pinion toward the flywheel ring gear of the engine. The electrical contacts in the solenoid close the circuit between the battery and the starting motor just before the pinion engages the ring gear. This causes the starting motor to rotate. This type of motor "turn on" is a positive shift starting motor.
When the engine begins to run, the overrunning clutch portion of the pinion drive prevents damage to the armature caused by excessive speeds. The clutch does this by breaking the mechanical connection. The pinion will stay meshed with the ring gear until the ignition switch is released. A return spring in the overrunning clutch returns the clutch to its rest position. G424 Service Manual Starting System 32