Methods and Systems for Starter Actuation

A method for actuating a starter of an internal combustion engine by way of a starter relay, wherein the starter relay is configured so as to supply the starter selectively with electric current by way of a vehicle electrical system, the method comprising the acts of:

• determining an error state of the internal combustion engine;
• starting repeated actuations of the starter relay;
• determining a prevailing state of the internal combustion engine, wherein the prevailing state of the internal combustion engine indicates at least one error state or at least one operating state;
• and
• when the prevailing state indicates at least one operating state, terminating the repeated actuation of the starter relay, otherwise repeating the procedure of determining the prevailing state.

A system for actuating a starter of an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• a control unit;
• an electric current source;
• a starter relay, connected to the control unit and configured so as to supply the starter of the internal combustion engine selectively with electric current from the electric current source, wherein
• the control unit is configured so as to perform the acts of:
• determining an error state of the internal combustion engine;
• starting repeated actuations of the starter relay;
• determining a prevailing state of the internal combustion engine, wherein the prevailing state of the internal combustion engine indicates at least one error state or at least one operating state;
• and
• when the prevailing state indicates at least one operating state, terminating the repeated actuation of the starter relay, otherwise repeating the procedure of determining the prevailing state.