If you had lived during the early 20th century, you would know how hard and awkward it was to start an automobile that was in the first years of automotive development. There was even a time when a driver was required to manually turn a crankshaft lever located at the front portion of the automobile exterior just to start the engine! This method was undeniably very inefficient. It soon became obsolete as starter motors were incorporated in modern engine configurations. With starter motor applications, the driver needed to step on a pedal while turning the ignition key to start the engine.

However, with the of electric starter switches such as the Taylor Cable starter switch today, use of the ignition pedal was later discontinued. The basic design of modern starter switches exemplified by the Taylor Cable starter switch is still the same as the first prototype. As the name implies, a starter switch is a component that closes the circuit of the starter motor, initiating the ignition process. This allows the flow of high-voltage electricity via ignition circuit wires and terminals.

Unlike their pedal-operated predecessor, modern starter switches are electrically-operated. So, when you turn the ignition key, you are actually sending electrical signals that set off starter motor and other ignition system operations. However, these mechanisms indirectly affect the starter motor as it also works with a separate set of switch mechanism. A Taylor Cable starter switch also engages the pinion of the starter motor to the clutch. This way, the starter motor can initiate crankshaft rotation. Once the crankshaft is in motion, the starter switch automatically disengages the pinion from the clutch. If the clutch fails to disengage, the starter motor will be badly damaged. A new motor will be required to resume ignition operations. Hence, it is important that you choose only dependable aftermarket replacements like the Taylor Cable starter switch, which features a Neoprene cap