Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a cranking system for a motor vehicle engine includes a starter motor assembly having a cranking motor and a starter solenoid. An electronic controller independently controls actuation of the starter solenoid and a contactor which provides current to the cranking motor. In this embodiment of the invention, the starter solenoid has a single electrical coil. Further, the contactor is relocated from its typical location within the starter solenoid to within the electronic controller, located remotely from the starter motor assembly.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a starter motor solenoid includes two fixed contacts and a movable contact. The movable contact and one fixed contact are made of copper. The other fixed contact is made of steel. Over a relatively few cycles of the starter motor solenoid, a coating of copper is deposited from the movable contact to the steel fixed contact. Thus, despite the use of relatively inexpensive steel as fixed contact material, a highly-conductive and reliable junction is provided between the movable contact and the steel fixed contact.