ICE Starter

[jamesbalch]

Hello all,

New poster here. I am/have been an aircraft mechanic for the past 30 years. I have not gotten any manuals for this car yet but plan to.

My question: The ICE naturally stops and starts many times during the course of an average trip. Does the starter engage the ICE each time it starts, or does the transmission /power splitter just grab the engine when it needs it and then provide fuel and igintion to light it off? As if you are rolling a standard transmission auto and "pop" the clutch....

Seems to me if the ICE starter does engage every time, it HAS to wear out sooner than later as compared to a regular starter.

Just curious. Thanks for any replies.

[Marlin]

There is no "starter", at least not the kind you are talking about.

Go to the following web site, click on "Understanding the Prius", and then read the articles to gain the understanding you seek. I think the "What's Going On As I Drive?" article is the best for a casual understanding of the prius powertrain.

Graham's Toyota Prius pages

[jamesbalch]

Graham,

Thanks very much. Just visited your site.....very informative.

[qbee42]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jim B. @ Oct 25 2006, 08:40 AM) [snapback]337888[/snapback]</div>

New poster here. I am/have been an aircraft mechanic for the past 30 years. I have not gotten any manuals for this car yet but plan to.
[/b]

Now we know who to call for a major on the ICE or to magnaflux the BT plate!

Tom

[john1701a]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jim B. @ Oct 25 2006, 07:40 AM) [snapback]337888[/snapback]</div>

or does the transmission/power splitter just grab the engine when it needs it and then provide fuel and igintion to light it off?[/b]

Yup... except it always has hold of the engine. It's just a matter of when the engine is allowed to spin. The smaller of the two motors essentially either holds it in place or gives it a nudge to invoke movement.

The fact that the PSD (Power-Split-Device) is always engaged is what makes the process so simple... and smooth.

http://john1701a.com/prius/prius-psd_details.htm
http://john1701a.com/prius/prius-psd_animations.htm

Those links provide illustrated examples of the clever stuff the PSD does.

[Marlin]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jim B. @ Oct 25 2006, 09:04 AM) [snapback]337894[/snapback]</div>

Graham,

Thanks very much. Just visited your site.....very informative.


[/b]

I'm not Graham. I'm not sure he even visits this site.