Parts of a Starter
The first-ever internal combustion engine was pretty straightforward. But as cars got more complicated, so did their engines. A starter is one of many complex parts of the modern engine, and is broken down into these essential parts.
Other People Are Reading
-
What Does It Do?
-
A starter is an electrical motor that gets an internal combustion engine going. Once the engine is running, it can keep itself moving. But the electric starter counts on a pulse from the car battery to get moving---not the combustion of gasoline.
The Solenoid Switch
-
A 3-D coil of metal, a solenoid switch conducts an electrical current. When charged, they can create electromagnetism. A solenoid switch can be controlled to turn a switch, like in a car starter.
-
The Pinion
-
A small gear with a number of teeth that mesh with another gear, the pinion of a starter motor, in turn, meshes with the flywheel. If a driver continues to turn a key in an ignition for an extended period of time, the pinion will simply spin on the driveshaft, and will not fire the starter motor.
The Flywheel
-
The spinning pinion meshes with the flywheel. A flywheel is a feat of modern engineering. Because it resists changes in its rotational speed, it is excellent in storing energy. Maintaining a flywheel in a starter yields consistent combustion energy, allowing it to begin its process.
The Battery
-
A properly-working car battery is critical to the proper functioning of an electronic starter. Without its spark, it is impossible to start an automatic car. A starter can be overridden with a standard transmission though---just take the car out of gear and roll it down a hill (while minding your brake). The flywheel will begin to spin and start the combustion engine.
-
