Starting and Charging: Description and Operation

STARTER
When the Ignition Switch is moved to the START position, battery voltage is applied to the Starter Solenoid Assembly. Both solenoid windings are energized. The circuit through the Pull-In Winding is completed to ground through the Starter Motor. The winding work together magnetically to pull in and hold in the Plunger. The Plunger moves the Shift Lever. This action causes the Drive Assembly to rotate as it engages the Flywheel ring gear on the Engine. At the same time, the Plunger also closes the motor contacts in the Starter Solenoid Assembly. Full battery voltage is then applied directly to the Starter Motor and it cranks the Engine.
As soon as the motor contacts close, voltage is no longer applied through the Pull-In Winding, since battery boltage is applied to both ends of the windings. The Hold-In Winding remains energized and its magnetic field is strong enough to hold the Plunger, Shift Lever, and motor contacts in place to continue cranking the Engine.
When the Ignition Switch is released from the START position, battery voltage is removed from the PPL wire and the junction of the two windings. For an instant before the motor contacts open, current flows through the Pull-In Winding in the reverse direction and through the Hold-In Winding in the normal direction. The magnetic fields of the Pull-In and Hold-In Windings now oppose one another. The Return Spring then causes the Drive Assembly to disengage and motor contacts to open simultaneously. As soon as the contacts open, the Starter circuit is turned off.

CHARGING
The Generator provides voltage to operate the car's electrical system and to charge its Battery. A magnetic field is created when current flows through the Rotor. This field rotates as the Rotor is driven by the Engine, creating an AC voltage in the Stator windings. The AC voltage is converted to DC by the Rectifier Bridge and is supplied to the electrical system at the BAT terminal.
The Generator's regulator uses digital techniques to supply the Rotor current and thereby control the voltage output. The Rotor current is proportional to the width of the electrical pulses supplied to it by the Regulator. When the Ignition Switch is placed in RUN, narrow width pulses are supplied to the Rotor, creating a weak magnetic field. When the Engine is started, the Regulator senses Generator rotation by detecting AC voltage at the Stator through an internal wire. Once the engine is running, the Regulator varies the field current by controlling the pulse width. This regulates the Generator output voltage for proper battery charging and electrical system operation.
The digital Regulator controls the Charge Indicator with a solid state lamp driver. The driver turns on the indicator when undervoltage, overvoltage, or a stopped Generator is detected.