[chris]

Hi Guys,
Can anyone maybe tell me it if it is necessary to install a relay to give starter more constant power? I had my starter checked out and the specialists in town said they installed a relay due to the fact after repair the starter still refused to turn and then they said that there is not enough power going through the wiring due to "voltage drop" I think they might have gotten confused between my car and ESCOM
Is it possible for this to happen since they installed a new solenoid as well.
Any suggestions for me to have a look at.? They reckon there might be water in some connectors somewhere and thus causing the voltage drop
I am going to wash out all connectors with electrical cleaner this week.

Your advice will be appreciated.

[4ePikanini]

no. do not put a relay between the starter and battery. it is not necessary

remove battery.
clean starter terminals
clean positive terminals
clean negative terminals
clean grounds.

should be good.

[chris]

Thanks 4E but since it is installed should it be cuase for worry in the future otherwise I will have to remove it or take it to someone else who actually knows what it is going on
I am not a mechanic and do some things but have never attempted to remove the starter but it does not look like to be too difficult though.
Could it possibly be that the solenoid has thicker wiring than the old one and not give enough current through -less resistance or maybe the battery does not have enough ooomph

[4ePikanini]

describe the symptoms you are experiencing.

[Bigwill]

Typically when a relay is installed for a starter problem, it's done to boost the power to the starter's solonoid which in turn switches on the full battery current to turnover the starter motor. The relay is switched on through a very small wire coming from the fuses and the starter switch/keyswitch inside the car. There are many points on this line where voltage can be disturbed. So fitting a relay at the end of this low current circuit is not a bad thing. Keep it where it is.

[chris]

Hi Big,
I think I will leave it there as just today I managed to speak to a decent auto electrician who seems to know how things work and he's explanation is exactly what you just said.He mentioned that some wires do wear or actually start to erode a bit thus causing the voltage problem but to trace and repair can take ages and to great expense.I just hope that the problem won't manifest itself in a year or two from now causing wire to burn out completely and with it a harness.
Pity the guys who did the actual job could not explain that to me from the start.
Thanx for the feedback though.

[Bigwill]

I wouldn't worry about the longer term effect if I were you as the load on this circuit is now reduced to only that required by the small relay as apposed to quite a heavy load required directly by a solonoid without a relay. Suggest you forget about this particular problem now.