Understand Car Starting System Better

The heart of the electrical system in your vehicle is the "starting system". It starts with the battery. It is the ignition switch into which the key is inserted and turned to the start position. A small amount of current passes through the Neutral Safety Switch to a Starter Relay or Starter Solenoid. It then allows high current to flow through the Battery Cables to the Starter Motor. The engine is then cranked by the starter motor so that the piston, which moves downward, creates a suction that starts drawing the Fuel/Air mixture into the cylinder. The spark will be created by the ignition system which then ignites this mixture. Now, if the compression in the engine is high enough and all of this happens at the correct time, the car engine starts.

Have a look at the three main parts of the switch starting circuit: the ignition switch, starter solenoid, starter relay.

1. Ignition Switch - Generally there is a key or a button with which the ignition switch connects and there is a regular wire inside it that connects the vehicle’s battery. Now when the ignition switch is turned or pressed, a small current starts flowing through the starter solenoid coil, which then allows sufficient current flow to the starter.

2. Starter Solenoid - The main part of the control starter circuit is the starter solenoid. It includes the relay type and non-relay type. The solenoid switch is made up of a solenoid, which is an electromagnetic device. It produces the attraction or retention of the moving core. Something fixed directly the starter solenoid to the top of the starter.

3. Starter Relay - Another switch that is used to control the starting circuit is the starter relay. Now when there is a start control circuit, then the relay is connected in series with the battery so that the transmission can be shortened of the large current cable length.

Are you searching for how the starting system works? Have a look below for a clear understanding:

If the transmission is in Park or Neutral, the battery voltage flows through the starter control circuit and engages the starter solenoid, when you turn the ignition key to the START position or push the START button. The starter motor is powered by the starter solenoid. The starter solenoid also pushes the starter gear forward to align it with the engine flywheel (flex plate in an automatic transmission). The engine crankshaft is connected to the flywheel. The starter motor spins, rotating the crankshaft of the engine over and allowing it to start. When the engine starts running in a car with a push-button start, the system disengages the starter.

Do you want to know some frequent problems which might start occurring in the starting system? Take a look below to know some frequent problems with the starting system:

• Faulty injectors
• The starter might be very loose
• Defective electrical components
• There might be a spoiled cold start valve
• The flywheel might be chipped
• Flaws in the distributor cap

Here we have listed them all for you:

There are a few things that might cause your starting system to malfunction. Watch for the following symptoms if you suspect a bad starting system:

1. Grinding noise - If there will be a worn-out starter gear or if it is not engaging appropriately, then it will give rise to the grinding noise.

2. Freewheeling - There would be an occurrence of freewheeling when the engine is cranked and you will start hearing a whining noise when the car engine is cranking. Now when this occurs, it would mean that there is no engagement of the starter with the flywheel.

3. Intermittent issues starting the vehicle - If you try to start your automobile and the car engine does not ignite instantly, and when you turn the ignition switch once again and it starts working, then it is due to some issues with the relay.

4. Starter stays on after engine starts - When the car engine starts and the key is released, then the circuit discontinues the power to the starter motor. If the starter motor keeps on rotating after the engine starts then your starter might be faulty due to the main contacts of the solenoid welded together.

5. Smoke - If the power supply to the starter gear is continuous, then it eventually starts overheating. If there is smoke, it usually indicates that there is a lot of power that is being drawn through the electrical supply.

6. Batteries - Is your car engine not turning over? It might be misleading as there is a requirement of a lot of battery power to crank your engine over. Now, if your car does not crank, but it does using a starter pack or jump leads then your car battery might be at fault and needs to be recharged or replaced. 

Most people prefer to avoid risk and seek safety. That is the reason they go with a familiar auto parts brand rather than a new one. It proves to be safe, and they know what to expect. Have a look at our top brands for starting system parts which offer safety and decrease the risk of disappointment.

• Blue Streak (Hygrade Motor) Starting System Parts
• Denso Starting System Parts
• Mr. Gasket Starting System Parts
• Standard/T-Series Starting System Parts
• Edge Products Starting System Parts
• Walker USA Starting System Parts
• Bussmann Starting System Parts
• Littelfuse Starting System Parts
• Accel Starting System Parts

The brighter you are, the more you have to learn! That’s why we are here to provide you with more knowledge about the related parts of the car Starting System. They are mentioned below:

• New Solenoid
• Starter Relay
• Starter Bushing
• Starter Bearing
• Starter Brush Spring
• Starter Drive Shaft Retainer
• Starter Heat Shield