Starting System: Description and Operation

Fig. 1 Exploded view of Mitsubishi starter. 4-135/2.2L engine:

Fig. 2 Exploded view of Mitsubishi starter. 4-143/2.3L engine:

These starters, Figs. 1 and 2, are 12 volt units that have the solenoid mounted on the starter housing. The solenoid is energized when the starter relay contacts are closed causing the starter drive to engage with the flywheel ring gear, thereby starting the engine. An overrunning clutch in the drive protects the starter from excessive speeds once the engine starts. The current flows through the solenoid energizing coil until the solenoid plunger is at full travel, at which time the plunger closes a set of contacts that bypass the energizing coil, allowing the holding coil to keep the starter drive engaged and passing starting current to the starter.