Engine starting system

Disclosed is an engine starting system for automatically stopping and restarting an engine of a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission mechanism having a torque converter. The engine starting system comprises automatic stop control means 46 operable, when a predetermined automatic engine stop condition is satisfied, to automatically stop the engine, automatic start control means operable, when an engine restart condition, to automatically restart the engine, alternator-output current control means 44 for adjusting a load to be imposed on the engine after the satisfaction of the automatic engine stop condition, at a given level. The automatic stop control means 46 includes speed-ratio calculation means for calculating a speed ratio (Te/Ne) based on each output from engine-speed detection means and turbine-speed detection means. The automatic stop control means is operable to instruct the alternator-output current control means 44 to adjust the load in such a manner as to be reduced when the speed ratio is less than a given reference value, relative to when the speed ratio is equal to or greater than the reference value.