Strange behaviour after fitting Starter Relay

[Ian928]

I have just tried to fit a starter solenoid from Tony Hart. I have checked that all connections seem to be correct. I experience very strange symptoms with the relay attached!

When I turn the key to the first (Run) position, the starter immediately kicks in and the engine starts. Then, both the engine and the starter motor will continue to run even with the key removed from the car! If I remove the + from the battery and put it back it will not restart before I turn the key to "run" again and the prosedure repeats.

I put my instrument on the original white and red wire going to the solenoid and measure 11,9V in "run" and 12,3V in "start" position. This can not be right?

There is an old alarm system fitted to the car, I wonder if this can have something to do with the problem?

[marshman]

Hi,

It looks to me as if you have swapped over the white/red wire and the white/yellow wire on the solenoid. The white/red comes from the ignition switch "start position" and should only have 12V when the ignition switch is in the 2nd start position. The white/yellow wire goes to the ignition coil positive terminaland supplies 12V direct to the coil - bypassing the ballast resistor - only whilst the engine is cranking on the starter motor. If you have got the swapped over the white/yellow wire could supply sufficient power to the solenoid to energise it and thus operating the starter motor on the first posiution of the ignition switch.

Look again and swap over the two wires and it should be sorted.

Good Luck

Roger

[Ian928]

I don't think so Roger! But, I did measure the yellow and white wire also, and this gets 12V when the ignition is turned to "run". I am thinking that there is something that is powering the solenoid all the time when the ignistion is in the "run" position, but that fault is not produceing enough power for the solenoid to engage. But it os probably enough to make my starter relay engage...

Why the starter keeps turning when I turn off the ignition I do not understand...

[milothedog]

If you are sure it's wired correctly then it may be a faulty relay (contacts are stuck together !) is it a 5 pin relay, if so are you using the switch contact pins 30 & 87 for the solenoid and 86 from the ignition switch, 85 is neg . You shouldn't have anything on 87a.

Ian.

[Ian928]

I have checked the relay on the bench, it was working perfect then! I have checked and double checked the connections and they are exactly as you describe! I believe there is something wrong with the electrical system, maybe something is connected to the ignition that also get power from somewhere else? For instance, there is a electric choke on our car, I think that is connected to the coil.

I think the solenoid clicking problem may be connected to this also, when I tried to connect the original wire back to the solenoid, it would not engage, just click.

[milothedog]

So as I understand, I assume you have taken the lead from the ignition switch and put it directly to the coil pin 86. does your meter show this only becoming live with the key in the start position.

Where have you taken the switched supply to engage the starter from !

Ian.

p.s. Just re read your original post, it might be worth unplugging your ignition switch and checking it with your meter in all positions.

[Ian928]

I have taken the switched supply from the live connection from the battery to the solenoid (secured with a nut)

Is it easy to access the ignition switch? Just a matter or removing the cowl?

[milothedog]

I have taken the switched supply from the live connection from the battery to the solenoid (secured with a nut)

Is it easy to access the ignition switch? Just a matter or removing the cowl?

Yes Ian, that easy.


Ian

[Gresley]

Must be something faulty - I have fited one today and all seems fine....

Brian

[Ian928]

I found the problem and "solved it" - by that I mean the starter is now working as it should!

I took the advice and measured on the ignition switch - there were 11,9V on the red and white wire going to the solenoid. To find out if the problem was in the ignition switch itself I opened the multiplug from the ignition switch and then ohmed between the red plus and the red and white wire to the solenoid, there was no connection som the ignition swithc seemed not to be faulty.

I then checked the wireing diagram, and on my AC car there is an additional red and white wire going to a relay behind the glove compartment, this is to stop the AC system when the starter is engaged. I disconnected the wire and measured the connector on the relay and it was 11,9V. There seemed to have been a short circuit in the relay at one time, the AC relay was also missing, probably because it had been installed upside down(?) There was signs of short circuiting on the connector for that relay also.

Fo now, I just disconnected the wire from the faulty relay and the starter relay works as it should!

I hope this also soves another problem - I have had problems with charging capacity. I have not been able to use the lights in rush hour, if I did the Voltage dropped under 12V. The solenoid have probably been drawing current all the time when driving.