Engine starting system for power train

An engine starting system for a power train including an engine and an automatic transmission which transmits engine power while performing gear shifting operation in a prescribed manner, said engine starting system comprising:

• an engine stop/restart controller for performing automatic engine stop control operation for automatically stopping the engine by interrupting fuel supply necessary for continued engine operation when automatic engine stop conditions are satisfied and for automatically restarting the engine by producing combustion at least in a cylinder which is on an expansion stroke at engine stop when engine restart conditions are satisfied after automatic engine stop, wherein said automatic transmission includes
• a stationary member constituting an integral part of a transmission housing;
• a planetary gear mechanism including at least a first rotary member and a second rotary member;
• an input shaft of the planetary gear mechanism;
• an output shaft of the planetary gear mechanism;
• a clutch for engaging and disengaging the first rotary member and the input shaft to and from each other;
• and
• a brake for engaging and disengaging the second rotary member and the stationary member to and from each other;
• said automatic transmission having a special mode in which the clutch is disengaged and the brake is applied;
• wherein the clutch is configured to set said automatic transmission in a drive condition in which the engine power can be transmitted to a driving wheel side when the clutch is engaged and in a neutral condition in which transmission of the engine power to the driving wheel side is interrupted when the clutch is disengaged at least under conditions where the automatic engine stop conditions are satisfied;
• wherein if the special mode is selected under conditions where the output shaft is locked, said automatic transmission is brought to a condition in which the first rotary member is locked to the stationary member;
• and
• wherein said engine stop/restart controller performs special clutch engagement control operation in which said automatic transmission is caused to initiate a transfer to the special mode before the fuel supply is interrupted and the clutch is caused to completely engage at a specific point in time at least after said automatic transmission has completed the transfer to the special mode during execution of the automatic engine stop control operation.