APPARATUS FOR STARTING ENGINE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING ENGINE

摘要

A starter includes a pinion gear that can be engaged with a ring gear coupled to a crank shaft of an engine, an actuator that moves the pinion gear to a position where the pinion gear is engaged with a ring gear, and a motor that rotates the pinion gear. An ECU stops the engine when a predetermined stop condition is satisfied, and cranks the engine with a motor when a predetermined start condition is satisfied after the engine is stopped. The motor and the actuator are supplied with electric power from a battery. The ECU includes a mode in which the motor is driven prior to driving of the actuator. The ECU restricts a stop of the engine if, of a decreased voltage of the battery after driving the motor and a decreased voltage of the battery after driving the actuator, the lower voltage falls below a threshold value.