st arter pinion gear to spin fa st er t han the pinion
sh aft. When th e dr iver r eleases the ignition switch t o
the On position , th e st arter relay coil is de-energized.
This causes t he r elay con tacts to open. When the
rela y conta cts open, the starter solenoid plunger
hold-in coil is de-energized.
When the solenoid plunger hold-in coil is de-en er-
gized, the solen oid plunger retur n sprin g returns the
plunger t o its r elaxed position . This causes the con-
tact disc to open the star ter feed circu it, and the shift
lever to disengage the overr unning clutch and pinion
gear fr om the starter ring gea r.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - STARTING SYS-
TEM
The batter y, starting, an d ch arging system s oper-
ate in conjun ction with one another, and mu st be
tested as a complete system. For correct sta rting/
charging system oper ation, all of th e componen ts
involved in th ese 3 system s must per form within
specifica tions.
Starting System Diagnosis
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSE CORRECTION
STARTER FAILS TO
OPERATE.
1. Battery discharged or
faulty.
1. Refer to Battery. Charge or replace battery, if re-
quired.
2. Starting circuit wiring
faulty.
2. Refer to 8, Wiring Diagrams. Test and repair starter
feed and/or control circuits, if required.
3. Starter relay faulty. 3. Refer to Starter Relay in Diagnosis and Testing. Re-
place starter relay if required.
4. Ignition switch faulty. 4. Refer to Ignition Switch and Key Lock Cylinder. Re-
place ignition switch if required.
5. Clutch pedal position
switch faulty.
5. Refer to Clutch Pedal Position Switch.
6. Park/Neutral position
switch faulty or misad-
justed.
6. Refer to Park/Neutral Position Switch. Replace park/
neutral position switch if required.
7. Starter solenoid faulty. 7. Refer to Starter Motor. Replace starter motor assem-
bly if required.
8. Starter motor faulty. 8. If all other starting system components and circuits
test OK, replace starter motor.
STARTER ENGAGES,
FAILS TO TURN EN-
GINE.
1. Battery discharged or
faulty.
1. Refer to Battery. Charge or replace battery if re-
quired.
2. Starting circuit wiring
faulty.
2. Refer to 8, Wiring Diagrams. Test and repair starter
feed and/or control circuits if required.
3. Starter motor faulty. 3. If all other starting system components and circuits
test OK, replace starter motor assembly.
4. Engine seized. 4. Refer to Engine Diagnosis in the Diagnosis and Test-
ing section of 9, Engine.
STARTER ENGAGES,
SPINS OUT BEFORE
ENGINE STARTS.
1. Starter ring gear
faulty.
1. Refer to Starter Motor Removal and Installation. Re-
move starter motor to inspect starter ring gear. Replace
starter ring gear if required.
2. Starter motor faulty. 2. If all other starting system components and circuits
test OK, replace starter motor assembly.
VA STARTING SYSTEM 8F - 29
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