Starter Motor
The starter motor is used to turn the engine flywheel fast enough to get the engine running.
STARTER MOTOR
1. Field. 2. Solenoid. 3. Clutch. 4. Pinion. 5. Comutator. 6. Brush assembly. 7. Armature.
The starter motor has a solenoid. When the start switch is activated, electricity from the electrical system will cause the solenoid to move the starter pinion to engage with the ring gear on the flywheel of the engine. The starter pinion will engage with the ring gear before the electric contacts in the solenoid close the circuit between the battery and the starter motor. When the start switch is released, the starter pinion will move away from the ring gear of the flywheel.
Solenoid
SCHEMATIC OF A SOLENOID
1. Coil. 2. Switch terminal. 3. Battery terminal. 4. Contacts. 5. Spring. 6. Core. 7. Component terminal.
A solenoid is a magnetic switch that uses low current to close a high current circuit. The solenoid has an electromagnet with a core (6) which moves.
There are contacts (4) on the end of core (6). The contacts are held in the open position by spring (5) that pushes core (6) from the magnetic center of coil (1). Low current will energize coil (1) and make a magnetic field. The magnetic field pulls core (6) to the center of coil (1) and the contacts close.
Magnetic Switch
A magnetic switch (relay) is used sometimes for the starter solenoid or glow plug circuit. Its operation electrically, is the same as the solenoid. Its function is to reduce the low current load on the start switch and control low current to the starter solenoid or high current to the glow plugs.