Controlled by Solenoid

1. A car starter is responsible for turning over, or starting, a vehicle engine. Located on the underside of most cars, the starter is controlled by the solenoid, which is a small attachment directly on top of the starter itself. The solenoid, which receives electricity from the car battery, is responsible for engaging and disengaging the starter.

Starter Turns Engine Crankshaft

2. A car starter has a small cogged wheel that engages and disengages with the engine flywheel, which is a large cogged wheel attached directly to the engine crankshaft. When a person turns the key in their car ignition, the solenoid receives electricity from the car battery and then engages the starter with the flywheel. The starter turns the flywheel which in turn turns the engine crankshaft, which in turn starts the motions of a running engine.

Starter Disengages After Car Starts

3. After the starter has engaged and started spinning the engine flywheel, the starter disengages and retreats back into its normal position. The engine, having been supplied with spark from the spark plugs, which ignites the air/fuel mixture, will begin to run on its own once combustion begins. At that point the services of the starter are no longer needed.

Starter Operation Requires Tremendous Energy

4. The simple act of starting a car engine is a tremendous job. A potent power source (the car battery) is required to supply enough juice to enable the starter to spin the engine. Repeated starts, especially when a vehicle has a fuel or electrical problem causing hard starts, can cause a car battery to become run down quickly.