When the ignition switch is moved to the START position, the battery voltage is applied to the starter solenoid through the PPL wire. The PARK/NEUTRAL position and backup lamp switch must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL position. Both of the solenoid windings are energized. The circuit through the pull-in winding is completed to the ground through the starter motor. The windings work together magnetically in order to pull in and hold in the plunger. The plunger moves the shift lever. This action causes the starter drive assembly to rotate as it engages the flywheel ring gear on the engine. At the same time, the plunger also closes the solenoid switch contacts within the starter solenoid. The full battery voltage is supplied directly to the starter motor and it cranks the engine.

As soon as the solenoid switch contacts close, the voltage is no longer supplied through the pull-in windings, because the battery voltage is supplied to both ends of the windings. The hold-in winding remains energized, and the magnetic field is strong enough to hold the plunger, the shift lever, and the drive assembly solenoid switch contacts in place in order to continue cranking the engine.

When the ignition switch is released from the START position, the battery voltage is removed from the PPL wire and the junction of the two windings. The voltage is supplied from the motor contacts through both windings to the ground at the end of the hold-in windings. However, the voltage supplied to the pull-in winding is now opposing the voltage supplied when the winding was first energized. The magnetic fields of the pull-in and the hold-in windings now oppose one another. This action of the windings, with the help of the return spring, causes the starter drive assembly to disengage and the solenoid switch contacts in order to open simultaneously. As soon as the contacts open, the starter circuit is turned off.

The generator provides the voltage to operate the vehicle's electrical system and to charge the battery. A magnetic field is created when a current flows through the rotor. This field rotates as the rotor is driven by the engine, creating an AC voltage in the stator windings. The AC voltage is converted to DC by the rectifier bridge and is supplied to the electrical system at the battery terminal.

This generator's regulator uses digital techniques in order to supply the rotor current and thereby controlling the output voltage. The rotor current is proportional to the width of the electrical pulses supplied by the regulator. When the ignition switch is placed in RUN, the narrow width pulses are supplied to the rotor, creating a weak magnetic field. When the engine is started, the regulator senses the generator rotation by detecting AC voltage at the stator through an internal wire. Once the engine is running, the regulator varies the field current by controlling the pulse width. This regulates the generator output voltage for proper battery charging and electrical system operation.

The digital regulator controls the battery indicator lamp with a solid-state lamp driver. The lamp driver turns on the lamp whenever undervoltage, overvoltage, or a stopped generator is detected.