Starter — General Description (Opel Vectra A)

1. The Delco-Remy or Bosch starter is mounted at the rear of the cylinder block. Both are pre-engagement type (pre-engaged freewheel clutch), that is, the drive gear first engages with the flywheel ring gear, and only then the starter motor is turned on.

2. When the starter is turned on, electric current flows from the battery to the traction relay, which is installed on the starter housing.

A plunger inside the traction relay housing rotates a lever that pushes the pinion into engagement with the flywheel ring gear. When the plunger reaches the end of its stroke, it bridges internal contacts and full current is supplied to the starter excitation windings. The armature rotates the crankshaft and the engine starts.

3. The special freewheel clutch is designed in such a way that when the engine is running it does not turn the starter.

4. When the starter switch opens, the solenoid relay is de-energized and the spring moves the plunger back to its original position. The lever moves the pinion away from the flywheel ring gear.