Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Repair and Diagnosis: Electrical: Starter: Description
All models except Laser 1.8L use a Mitsubishi reduction gear drive starter. The starter consists of a planetary gear drive and permanent magnets for current induction. The planetary gear drive is splined to both the armature shaft and overrunning clutch. Starter torque is transmitted to the overrunning clutch pinion through the planetary gears, which provide higher rotational speeds. See Fig 1 . The starter mounted solenoid shifts overrunning clutch/pinion drive into flywheel when starter is energized. Starting system components include: battery, starter, ignition switch, inhibitor switch on A/T models or clutch pedal mounted-interlock switch and starter relay on M/T models.
Laser 1.8L models use a direct drive starter that is a conventional 12-volt, 4-pole brush type starter motor.
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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