Repair and Diagnosis: Electrical: Starter: Description

Tercel models use either direct drive or reduction gear type starters. Direct drive type starter is a conventional 4-brush type starter with an external solenoid attached to drive housing. When starter is energized, starter solenoid coil forces starter clutch pinion drive to engage teeth with flywheel ring gear. Clutch pinion drive assembly is mounted directly onto drive end of armature shaft.

Reduction gear type starters contain an integral solenoid attached to drive housing, a reduction idler gear and bearing installed into starter housing, and a clutch drive assembly. The clutch drive assembly is mounted to starter housing and is driven by the reduction idler gear from armature shaft. The brush holder assembly retains 4 brushes and 4 springs in the end cover of field frame housing.

Planetary type starter is similar to a direct drive starter in that clutch pinion drive assembly is mounted in-line with armature shaft. The clutch pinion drive assembly is mounted onto drive end of planet gear carrier shaft which is driven by armature shaft. The planetary gears increase torque from armature to turn clutch pinion drive assembly.