Description & Operation: Notes

WARNING: Vehicles are equipped with air bag supplemental restraint system. Before attempting any repairs involving steering column, instrument panel or related components, see SERVICE PRECAUTIONS and DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM in appropriate AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM article.

CAUTION: When battery is disconnected, vehicle computer and memory systems may lose memory data. Driveability problems may exist until computer systems have completed a relearn cycle. See COMPUTER RELEARN PROCEDURES article in GENERAL INFORMATION before disconnecting battery.

Voltage is applied at all times from positive battery terminal to ignition switch and normally open starter solenoid contacts. When you turn ignition switch to START, voltage is applied to open contacts of starter cut relay and through coil of starter cut relay to clutch interlock switch (manual transmission) or neutral position switch (automatic transmission). With clutch pedal depressed (manual transmission) or transmission shift lever in park or neutral (automatic transmission), voltage is applied to security control unit "starter cut relay request" terminal. The security control unit then ground coil of starter cut relay. This energizes starter solenoid, which applies battery voltage to starter motor. The starter motor gear then engages flywheel (or drive plate) ring gear and cranks engine.