Abstract: A pneumatic starter device for an internal combustion engine includes a cylinder-piston assembly, which can be operated either as a compressor or as a starter motor and which is drive-connected to the internal combustion engine. A pressure accumulator and a valve arrangement are associated with this assembly. The valve arrangement, which is between the assembly and the pressure accumulator, can be activated by a control unit and can be switched between a compressor mode and a starter mode. Before the cylinder-piston assembly is started up, it is set to a crank angle position in a range of positions that produce maximum output torque.