The Denso starter is a non-repairable starter motor. It has 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.

When the ignition switch is placed in the Start position 12 volts is supplied through the Park/Neutral Position Switch or Clutch Pedal Position switch to the switch and coil side of the Starter Cut Relay. If theft is not active the Theft Deterrent Module grounds the control side of the Starter Cut Relay closing its switch. Power then travels to the coils side of the ST Relay with ground at G200 closing the ST Relay. Power then flows from the Main fuse in the Fuse Block - Underhood through the switch side of the ST Relay and then to the S terminal of the Starter Solenoid. Ground is found through the engine block.

When the ignition switch is placed in the Start position 12 volts is supplied through the Park/Neutral Position Switch or Clutch Pedal Position switch to the switch and coil side of the ST Relay with ground at G200 closing the ST Relay. Power then flows from the Main fuse in the Fuse Block - Underhood through the switch side of the ST Relay and then to the S terminal of the Starter Solenoid. Ground is found through the engine block.