A system to reconfigure a motor from induction mode to synchronous mode at a zero crossing of the field voltage during startup using only stator current signals is described herein. The zero crossing may be detected by asymmetry induced in the stator currents by a current asymmetry inducing module of the motor. The current asymmetry inducing module may include a resistor and diode in series and in parallel with a discharge resistor of the field windings. Asymmetry is induced in the current obtained from the stator, and used to determine a zero crossing of the field voltage. Upon the rotor reaching a startup frequency and the detected zero-crossing of the field voltage, the motor may be reconfigured from induction mode to synchronous mode.