Principles of Operation

Starting System

Principles of Operation

On vehicles equipped with automatic transaxles, when the ignition switch is turned to the START position and the vehicle is in the NEUTRAL or PARK position, the starter relay switches power to the starter solenoid, causing the starter motor to engage.

Vehicles equipped with manual transaxles have a clutch cutoff switch in the starter control circuit. When the clutch pedal is applied and the ignition switched is turned to the START position, the starter relay switches power to the starter solenoid causing the starter motor to engage.


Starting System - Anti-Theft Intervention

The starting system is electronically controlled by the Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS). PATS is controlled by the Instrument Cluster (IC). PATS recognizes the correct electronically coded ignition key and the IC will send a message to the PCM to provide a ground for the starter relay. The energized relay provides voltage to the starter solenoid, thereby allowing the starter motor to activate.