The invention relates to a pulse starting device and a starting method for a discharge lamp, in particular a high-pressure discharge lamp for a motor vehicle headlamp. The starting device has a transformer which has either two primary windings which are connected in parallel and are both coupled inductively to the at least one secondary winding, or instead has a primary winding which consists of a wide metal strip and is wound, separated by an electric insulation, over the at least one secondary winding. The starting device according to the invention has a compact design which permits the complete starting device to be accommodated in the lamp cap.