Abstract: A motor vehicle starter has a contactor of the type that includes an electronic control circuit, which includes a printed circuit board in the form of a disc with a central hole through which the body of the control rod of the contactor passes. The electronic components of the control circuit are carried by the circuit board, which is located in an axial position within the interior of the pot-shaped end cap of the contactor, between the fixed core and the movable contact of the contactor. The electronic control circuit is mounted within a protective housing which is arranged inside the end cap, between the fixed core and the movable contact, and this housing also has electrical connection facilities.