When current is supplied to the starter motor, what happens?

When current is supplied to the starter motor, what happens?

• A. The teeth on the starter gear mesh with the engine flywheel and start the engine
• B. The starter motor spins in place
• C. The cooling system begins circulating coolant
• D. The battery is charged

Answer: (A)

When current is applied to the starter, the solenoid pushes the starter drive gear into mesh with the engine’s flywheel (ring gear). This engagement lets the starter motor’s rotation turn the crankshaft, which begins rotating the engine and ultimately starts it. After the engine catches, the drive gear is disengaged to prevent damage. The cooling system circulating coolant or the battery being charged are separate functions and aren’t what initiates the engine start.

When current is applied to the starter, the solenoid pushes the starter drive gear into mesh with the engine’s flywheel (ring gear). This engagement lets the starter motor’s rotation turn the crankshaft, which begins rotating the engine and ultimately starts it. After the engine catches, the drive gear is disengaged to prevent damage. The cooling system circulating coolant or the battery being charged are separate functions and aren’t what initiates the engine start.