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Purpose of Starting System

The purpose of the starting system is to convert chemical energy stored in the battery into electrical energy, then into mechanical energy in the starter motor. This mechanical energy is then transferred through gears and drives from the starter motor to the engine flywheel.

After the transfer and conversion of all this energy the engine flywheel begins to rotate.

The rotation must be of sufficient speed to allow the engine to form the combustible air-fuel mixture required for starting. It must be maintained during initial combustion long enough until the engine can sustain operation.

To accomplish this a starter or cranking motor is used.

The starting system consists of the following components:

Fig 1: Identifying Starting System
G03390222Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.