Abstract: An electromagnetic switch for controlling an electric power supply to a starting motor is located in the periphery of one side of an output shaft in a radial direction thereof and coaxially with the output shaft. The electromagnetic switch has a motor contact connected with a power supply circuit for supplying brushes with electric power. The motor contact comprises a battery-side fixed contact formed integrally with a battery terminal, a motor-side fixed contact electrically connected with a positive brush through a lead wire and a plate, and a movable contact held by an end of a plunger. In the case where the electromagnetic switch is located not coaxially, the electromagnetic switch is shaped in a flat form and located in parallel with the output shaft so that the central axis thereof resides radially inside the outer periphery of a starting motor.

Abstract: A starter includes a pinion supported in a housing rotatably and engageably with a ring gear fitted to a crankshaft, and a starter motor fixed to the housing and having a rotary shaft for driving the pinion through a speed reduction mechanism. The starter is mounted on an engine block in such a manner that an axis center of the motor is located closer to the axis center of the ring gear than an axis center of the pinion. This starter mounting structure reduces the rotary vibrations of the starter motor.