Chevrolet Sonic Repair Manual: Starting System Description and Operation
The starter motors 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.
- Circuit Description (Key Start)
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When the ignition switch is placed in the Start position, a discrete signal is supplied to the body control module (BCM) notifying it that the ignition is in the Start position. The BCM then sends a message to the engine control module (ECM) notifying it that CRANK has been requested. The ECM verifies that the transmission is in Park or Neutral. If it is, the ECM then supplies 12 V to the control circuit of the crank relay. When this occurs, battery positive voltage is supplied through the switch side of the crank relay to the S terminal of the starter solenoid.
- Starting System Block Diagram
K20 Engine Control Module C1 Battery KR27 Starter Relay K9 Body Control Module T12 Automatic Transmission Assembly M64 Starter Motor S39 Ignition Switch
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice: The vehicle does not need an elaborate break-in. But it will
perform better in the long run if you follow these guidelines:
Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or slow, f ...
Starter Installation
Install the starter (4).
Install the lower starter bolt stud (3) and if equipped the washer.
Install the upper starter bolt (2) and if equipped the washer (1).
...
Other materials:
Battery Load Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM) that estimates the battery's
temperature and state of charge. It then adjusts the voltage for best performance
and extended life of the battery.
When the battery's state of charge is low, the voltage is raised slightly to
quickly bring t ...
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or could
cause injury or death, you should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying General Motors.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investig ...
Air Intake System Description
Circuit/System Description
The primary function of the air intake system is to provide filtered air
to the engine. The system uses a filter element mounted in a housing. The filter
housing is remotely mounted and uses intake ducts to route the incoming air
into the throttle body. T ...
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