Of the many innovations in automobiles that have been made over the years, one that has received little recognition is the Startix system. Equipped on selects models from around 1932 until 1940, the Startix system was a simple circuit switch that would try to prevent the engine from stalling. Mounted in conjuncture with a Bendix starter, the circuit would simply crank the engine whenever the car's ignition switch was in the 'On' position (the other positions being Ignition and Off).The system, in theory, is quite nice. As anyone who drives a manual transmission knows, it can be annoying and embarrassing to stall the car. The Startix system tried to mask this problem by immediately restarting the car. So, if the car stalled, the Startix system would automatically activate the starter until the engine cranked up again. This was
especially nice in older cars that might not start as easily if left off for too long.Of course the system isn't perfect in practice. One of the main problems with it is that the driver would have to remember to keep his or her foot on the clutch if the car stalled. Failure to do this would mean the Startix system would engage with the car was in gear, causing undue wear on the starter as it tried to jerk the car forward while cracking the engine. For many owners, this fault was more bothersome than the problem is sought to fix. Even today, most cars that have the Startix system (all post 1932 Auburn's have the system) have had the system disconnected.
Even still, it is a worthwhile
and interesting little piece of automotive history. All photos included here are of a 1935 Auburn 851 Cabriolet. Notice the Startix box just behind the backwards-'L' shaped hose. It is mounted on the right side of the engine and the two large wires coming from it go into the starter. A detailed, period description of the Startix system can be found here.I will be out of town until Sunday, and will resume posting then. There will be some good future topics coming up however, including a review of the Brighton Run tour (the one in Illinois, not England, unfortunately) after I complete it in early November.
