Starting and Charging: Description and Operation

STARTER
Battery voltage is applied to the Ignition Switch at all times through Fusible Link W. When the Ignition Switch is turned to "START," battery voltage is applied to the Transaxle Position Switch through the closed contacts of the Ignition Switch. If the Transaxle Position Switch is in "PARK" or "NEUTRAL," battery voltage is applied to the Starter Solenoid terminal "S" through the closed contacts of the Transaxle Position Switch. When battery voltage is applied to terminal "S" of the Starter Solenoid, the Hold-In Coil and Pull-In Coil of the Starter Solenoid are energized with the Pull-In Coil grounded through the Starter Motor. The coils, when energized, work together to pull and hold in the Plunger of the Starter Solenoid. As the Plunger is pulled in, it closes the Starter Solenoid contacts and causes the Shift Lever to rotate, engaging the Drive Assembly to the Engine Flywheel. With battery voltage applied directly to the Starter Motor through the closed Solenoid Contacts, the Starter Motor begins to rotate the Drive Assembly as the Drive Assembly comes in contact with the Engine Flywheel. The Starter Motor continues to rotate to crank the Engine through the Drive Assembly - Flywheel gear combination.

Battery voltage is removed from the Starter Solenoid terminal "S" when the Ignition Switch is released from the "START" position. The Pull-In and Hold-In Coils are de-energized and the return spring in the Starter Solenoid causes the Plunger to disengage the Drive Assembly from the Engine Flywheel. As the Plunger returns, the Plunger opens the Solenoid Contacts removing battery voltage from the Starter Motor.

CHARGING
The Generator provides voltage to operate the vehicle's electrical system and charge the Battery. The Regulator supplies current to the field coil of the Rotor. When current flows through the field coil, a magnetic field is created. This field rotates as the Rotor is driven by the Engine, creating an AC voltage and current in the Stator windings. This AC signal is converted to DC by the rectifier bridge and available to the vehicle's electrical system at the "BAT" terminal.

The Generator must supply sufficient current to all vehicle electrical loads, especially for charging the vehicle's Battery. Since the Rotor speed varies with engine speed, the Generator must also maintain the output voltage at a constant valve. The Generator's Regulator supplies current to the field coil of the Rotor thus controlling the output voltage of the Generator. When the Ignition Switch is turned to "RUN," battery voltage is supplied through the IGN Fuse to the Generator at terminal "F", turning on the Regulator.

The Regulator creates a weak magnetic field in the field coil when the Engine is being started. The Regulator senses Generator rotation by detecting an AC voltage at the Stator through an internal wire. Once the Engine is running, the Regulator can monitor the internal AC voltage and DC output at the "BAT" terminal, as well as the external battery voltage at terminal "S". The Regulator then varies the current in the field coil of the Rotor as needed. This provides a constant output voltage and adequate current to the electrical system of the vehicle.