As the solenoid plunger moves, the shift fork also pivots on the pivot pin and pushes the starter drive pinion into mesh with the flywheel ring gear. When the starter motor receives current, its armature starts to turn This motion is transferred through an overrunning clutch and pinion gear to the engine flywheel and the engine is cranked.
with this type of solenoid-actuated direct drive starting system, teeth on the pinion gear may not immediately
mesh with the flywheel ring gear. If this occurs, a spring
located behind the pinion compresses so the solenoid
plunger can complete its stroke. When the starter motor
armature begins to tum, the pinion teeth quickly line up
with the flywheel teeth and the spring pressure forces
them to mesh.