The GEN III V8 engine is fitted with a Mitsubishsi, 6-pole, 4-brush starter motor. This consists of a solenoid switch on a DC motor that has permanent magnet excitation. This has the advantage of low weight with high output torque.

The Mitsubishi starter motor does not have field coil windings or pole shoes. These parts have been replaced by permanent magnets that are held in the pole housing clips. The positive brushes are now part of the brush plate assembly.

The battery cable supplies a constant connection from the battery to terminal 30 of the solenoid switch . The ignition switch and the neutral-start switch for automatic vehicles controls the activation of the start relay.

With the ignition switch in the START position and the automatic transmission in P (park) or N (neutral) and the manual clutch pressed to the floor on manual transmission only, current flows via the start relay to terminal 50 of the solenoid switch. This activated the solenoid switch winding. The pull-in winding causes powerful magnetism to pull in the solenoid switch plunger. The hold-in winding holds the plunger in and the pull-in winding deactivates.

The solenoid switch simultaneously closes the switch contacts to connect terminal 30 to the DC motor and pivots the fork lever to engage the drive assembly to the flexplate or flywheel ring gear.

When the solenoid switch contacts closed, current flows from the battery through the DC motor, which spins and provides cranking torque.

The Powertrain Integration Module (PIM) controls the operation of the starter relay. When the ignition switch is turned to the ON position , the PIM will enable the starter relay for one second. If the PIM does not receive the correct theft deterrent signal from the Body Control Module (BCM), it will disable the starter relay. If the PIM receives the correct signal from the BCM, it will continue to enable the start relay. When the engine has started and the engine speed is above 500 RPM, the PIM will disable the starter relay, preventing starter engagement while the engine is running.

If the serial data bus between the BCM and the PIM should fail (no polling from the BCM for more than 60 seconds) after successful theft deterrent communications, the PIM will allow subsequent starts, however there will be a crank delay of one second. If the PIM receives valid communication, normal operation will resume.

If the Class II serial date bus between the PIM and the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) should fail, no communications for 20 seconds, after successful theft deterrent communications, the PCM will allow subsequent starts, however there will be a crank delay of one second. If communications between the PCM and the PIM are re-established, normal operation will resume.

The solenoid switch is used to activate the DC motor and has 2 windings; the pull-in winding and the hold-in winding. The pull-in winding has heavier wire and is grounded through the DC motor winding and brushes. The hold-in winding is grounded to the solenoid casing.

The planetary drive train consists of an internally toothed ring gear and 3 planetary gear wheels which rotate on needle bearings on the planetary drive shaft. The ring gear is keyed into the drive-end housing and is made from high-grade polyamide with mineral additives.

When the starter motor is operated, the armature turns the planetary gears inside the fixed planetary ting gear. This drives the planetary shaft at a reduced speed ratio approximately 3.36:1, which turns the drive assembly. A fork lever in the drive end housing forces the drive assembly to slide forward and engage with the engine flexplate or flywheel ring gear to transmit cranking torque.

An internal clutch allows the drive assembly pinion gear to rotate freely when the engine starts. This prevents the armature from being driven at excessive speed by the engine.

The armature shaft is supported at each end by oil absorbent sintered metal bushings; one in the commutator end shield and one in the planetary drive shaft. These bushings require lubrication only at the time of overhaul. The front end of the armature has a gear profile. This meshes with the three planetary gear wheels. These in turn mesh with the internal teeth of the ting gear.

A brush plate supports 4 commutator brushes. This plate is fixed to the commutator end shield with 2 retaining screws. Two negative brushes are grounded to the pole housing. Two positive brushes are insulated from the pole housing and connected to the solenoid switch M terminal.