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.

Tercel uses a starter relay to energize starter. Manual transmission vehicles use a clutch start switch and automatic transmission vehicles use a park/neutral switch to energize starter relay. On models with theft deterrent system, theft deterrent system ECU provides ground for starter relay.