Ok. Here is what I know. Tell me if it is at all different. The solenoid is a coiled wire that has a cylinder in it. The cylinder has a little metal rod in it at the end. Now when electricity passes through the coils, it creates a magnetic field and draws in the metal rod againts a spring (so that the rod will go back to its starting posistion) But then what? How is that getting the starter to turn the crank shaft? Please be real detailed! Thanks.
2006-12-16 08:28:48 · 11 answers · asked by Casey 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The metal rod in the solenoid (technical term: solenoid plunger) has a thick copper disc on the back. When the solenoid is energized, it pulls the plunger backward into the solenoid coil. The front end of the plunger is connected to the starter pinion by a lever, so the pinion engages the flywheel teeth. The solenoid plunger has a heavy copper disc on the other side. When it is pulled all the way back by the solenoid coil, the heavy disc hits two contacts at the back of the solenoid. This completes the circuit between the positive battery cable and the starter motor.
The solenoid system is designed so that the pinion gear is engaged in the flywheel BEFORE the contacts "make" the circuit. That way the pinion won't spin and strip out the flywheel before its engaged with the flywheel teeth.
So it happens like this: You turn key. Solenoid pulls the plunger back and engages the gears. Then a fraction of a second later, the big contacts "make" inside the solenoid and the starter spins the engine over. Failure mode of a solenoid is the big contacts get worn out, and the starter can't get enough power to spin the engine.
Ever heard that "click, click" noise when trying to start a car and the battery is dead? Thats because the battery has enough juice to pull in the solenoid, but not enough to power the starter motor.
2006-12-16 08:57:46 · answer #1 · answered by electron670 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An electrical current goes through the solenoid completing the circuit. When you turn the key to start this engages the solenoid completing the circuit, and causing the starter to engage, or turn the gear in the rear of the Starter that engages your flywheel or flex plate turning the motor.
On old Fords (pre- 1978) The solenoid was on the inside fender. You could use a screwdriver to 'bridge' the twp posts and engage the starter.
2006-12-16 08:34:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is another contact that lets the starter motor get power from the battery cable. It makes contact when the solenoid plunger gets pushed up against it when the ignition wire is activated. The gear on the end of the plunger engages the gear on the starter motor at the same time allowing the flywheel to move the engine.
2006-12-16 08:42:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you sent all the current the starter draws through the ignition switch it would instantly burn up. So the relatively small voltage energizes a coil that pulls a metal bar with a contact point to another heavy contact point and allows the higher amperage connection to the starter motor.
2006-12-16 08:37:57 · answer #4 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No yet a nasty connection on the starter, starter solenoid or both helpful or detrimental cables can. How did you recognize if the battery is sturdy? you want to load try a battery to target it. i'd do voltage drop exams on all battery cables less than load to verify them.
2016-11-26 23:02:10 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Starter motor= The part that turns the bendix
Bendix=the gear that engages the ring gear
Ring gear=the geared part that is attatched to the flywheel\flex plate on the engine.
Solenoid= the device that closes the circuit between the battery and the starter motor.
It's like a big switch with a remote control. (your key switch)
2006-12-16 08:41:01 · answer #6 · answered by Mr. KnowItAll 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when the starter turns - it engages the crankshaft -
when the electric current stops - the spring pulls the starter back up out of the way
the electricity needed to start is very large - and you do not want that much juice running thru your steering column
so we send just enough to trip the solenoid - and it makes the connection for us - away from us
2006-12-16 08:33:46 · answer #7 · answered by tom4bucs 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The starter requires a huge wire to handle the amps. Instead of a battery sized wire going to your key switch,Asmaller wire closes the solenoid switch allowing contact to the heavy wires.
2006-12-16 08:34:12 · answer #8 · answered by danp 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it kick's out the bendex on the starter
2006-12-16 08:31:24 · answer #9 · answered by cory m 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This teacher really explains it well. I hope you have adobe acrobat to download his lesson plan.
http://cust.educ.ubc.ca/tsed/Students03/McIntyre/Portfolio/docs/Starter%20Solenoid%20Lesson%20Plan.pdf
2006-12-16 08:38:06 · answer #10 · answered by QuiteNewHere 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋