The starter motors on these vehicles are non-repairable starter motors. They have pole pieces that are arranged around the armature. Both solenoid windings are energized. The pull-in winding circuit is completed to the ground through the starter motor. The windings work together magnetically to pull and hold in the plunger. The plunger moves the shift lever. This action causes the starter drive assembly to rotate on the armature shaft spline as it engages with the flywheel ring gear on the engine. Moving at the same time, the plunger also closes the solenoid switch contacts in the starter solenoid. Full battery voltage is applied directly to the starter motor and it cranks the engine.

As soon as the solenoid switch contacts close, current stops flowing thorough the pull-in winding because battery voltage is applied to both ends of the windings. The hold-in winding remains energized; its magnetic field is strong enough to hold the plunger, shift lever, starter drive assembly, and solenoid switch contacts in place to continue cranking the engine. When the engine starts, pinion overrun protects the armature from excessive speed until the switch is opened.

When the ignition switch is released from the START position, the start relay opens and battery voltage is removed from the starter solenoid S terminal. Current flows from the motor contacts through both windings to the ground at the end of the hold-in winding. However, the direction of the current flow through the pull-in winding is now opposite the direction of the current flow when the winding was first energized.

The magnetic fields of the pull-in and hold-in windings now oppose one another. This action of the windings, along with the help of the return spring, causes the starter drive assembly to disengage and the solenoid switch contacts to open simultaneously. As soon as the contacts open, the starter circuit is turned off.

Moving the ignition switch to the START position sends a 12 volt signal to the engine control module (ECM)/powertrain control module (PCM) Crank Request circuit. The ECM/PCM verifies that the transmission is in the PARK or NEUTRAL position. With the transmission in Park, voltage flows through the Park/Neutral position switch and feeds the starter relay coil. The ECM/PCM then grounds the control circuit of the starter relay. When the starter relay is energized it allows battery positive voltage to the starter solenoid S terminal. On some vehicles the starter will continue to crank the engine with the key released until it starts or the crank command has timed out to prevent excessive heat build up in the starter circuitry or the ECM/PCM receives an engine run flag.