Battery voltage is applied at all times to the starter solenoid B terminal through the BLK (1) wire. Voltage is applied at all times from the starter solenoid B terminal to a fusible link. The fusible link applies voltage at all times to the IGN A fuse. The IGN A fuse applies voltage at all times to the ignition switch and the starter relay through the RED (242) wire.

When the ignition switch is turned to the START position, voltage is applied from the closed contacts of the ignition switch to the CRANK fuse through the YEL (5) wire. The CRANK fuse applies voltage to the powertrain control module (PCM) crank request terminal through the PPL (806) wire. Voltage is applied to the ALT/START fuse with the ignition switch in the RUN or START position. The ALT/START fuse applies voltage to the starter relay coil through the PNK (739) wire.

The park/neutral switch applies ground to the PCM at the P/N input terminal through the ORN/BLK (434) wire.

The PCM applies ground to the starter relay coil when the transmission is in the PARK or NEUTRAL position. The switched contacts close and apply voltage to the starter solenoid S terminal through the PPL (6) wire

With voltage applied to the starter solenoid S terminal, current flows through the hold-in coil to the mechanical ground at the solenoid. At the same time, current flows through the pull-in coil and the starter motor to the starter motor's mechanical ground. The combined magnetic force of the coil windings overcomes the the force of the return spring to pull in and hold in the plunger. The plunger moves the shift lever. This causes the drive assembly to engage with the engine flywheel.

The plunger operation also operates a contact within the starter solenoid which closes to apply battery voltage directly to the starter motor. The starter motor now cranks the engine.

With battery voltage applied directly to the starter motor, the pull-in coil now has voltage applied to both ends of the coil and current ceases to flow. The starter solenoid remains engaged due to the current flow through the hold-in coil alone. The starter motor continues to operate until the ignition switch is returned to RUN position.

With the igniton switch in the RUN position, voltage is removed from the starter solenoid S terminal. Voltage is applied at the B terminal, so both coils are still energized by battery voltage through the closed motor contacts. However, the forces from these coil windings now oppose one another and the plunger returns to the disengaged position through the operation of the return spring. This opens the contact within the solenoid to remove battery voltage from the starter motor and the motor stops. Both coils also de-energize. This plunger operation also retracts the starter drive assembly from the flywheel and the engine operates under its own power.