Control system
* Manual transmission starter: Controlled manually by the driver via the ignition key.
*Automatic Transmission Starter: Controlled by the Electronic Transmission Control Module (TCM) or Engine Control Module (ECM).
Power cable
* Manual transmission starter: Has one power cable connecting the positive terminal of the battery to the starter terminal.
*Automatic Transmission Starter: Has two power cables: one connects the positive battery terminal to the starter terminal, and the other connects the starter terminal to the TCM or ECM.
Solenoid housing
* Manual Transmission Starter: The solenoid is usually built into the starter housing.
*Automatic Transmission Starter: The solenoid is located separately from the starter and is controlled by the TCM or ECM.
Vacuum tube
* Manual transmission starter: Does not have a vacuum tube.
* Automatic transmission starter: Typically has a vacuum tube that connects the intake manifold to the starter solenoid. This tube helps turn the starter on and off when changing gears.
Ring gear
* Manual transmission starter: Compatible with flywheel ring gear, which has fewer teeth.
* Automatic transmission starter: Compatible with the flywheel ring gear, which has a larger number of teeth. This is necessary to start the engine more slowly to reduce wear on the transmission.
Other differences
* Automatic transmission starters can be more powerful because the engine needs to be turned more slowly.
*Automatic transmission starters may have a neutral position switch that allows the engine to be started in neutral.
* Automatic transmission starters sometimes have a built-in crankshaft position sensor.