Starter Motor: Description and Operation

The starter motors used for all engines available in this model are interchangeable. The starter motors are all mounted with one screw, a stud and a nut to the automatic transmission torque converter housing and are located on the left side of the engine.

This starter motor incorporates several features to create a reliable, efficient, compact, lightweight and powerful unit. The electric motors of these starters feature four electromagnetic field coils wound around four pole shoes, and four brushes contact the motor commutator. These starter motors are all rated at 1.4 kilowatts (about 1.9 horsepower) output at 12 volts.

These starter motors are serviced only as a unit with their starter solenoids, and cannot be repaired. If either component is faulty or damaged, the entire starter motor and starter solenoid unit must be replaced.

This starter motor is equipped with a gear reduction (intermediate transmission) system. The gear reduction system consists of a gear that is integral to the output end of the electric motor armature shaft that is in continual engagement with a larger gear that is splined to the input end of the starter pinion gear shaft. This feature makes it possible to reduce the dimensions of the starter. At the same time, it allows higher armature rotational speed and delivers increased torque through the starter pinion gear to the starter ring gear.

These starter motors are activated by an integral heavy duty starter solenoid switch mounted to the overrunning clutch housing. This electromechanical switch connects and disconnects the feed of battery voltage to the starter motor, also engaging and disengaging the starter pinion gear with the starter ring gear.

This starter motor uses an overrunning clutch and starter pinion gear unit to engage and drive a starter ring gear that is integral to the torque converter or torque converter drive plate mounted on the rear crankshaft flange.