Switched the starter, still not starting

[CyFi6]

Originally Posted by 1985 supra MK2

yes i agree that would work but why just use a temp fix when all you need to do is get a new positive cable that runs from the battery to the starter (selenoid) and then that would take care of the problem.? also you might want to have an electrical systems test done on the alternator just to be sure it is functioning the way it is supposed to be.

Because that is not the problem. There are two wires that go to the starter; the positive battery cable, which is heavy gauge, and the small, blue trigger wire, that only receives current when the key is turned to start. The problem is the trigger wire, not the big positive cable bolted to it. When you turn the key to start, current goes through this blue wire, energizes a coil of wire making magnetism, and pulls a plunger, when this plunger is fully pulled, it connects two more contacts, the positive batter cable and the bigger coil of wires that turns the starter. The problem is over time that little blue wire gains resistance internally and doesnt provide enough current to pull the plunger all the way to the point where the other contacts touch, therefore you can hear the plunger moving, but its not going enough to make the starter contacts touch. This is why people usually experience this problem more when the car is hot ( heat=more resistance). So by using this relay, you can take the small amount of current supplied by the old blue wire, and use that to switch the relay which in turn will give full battery voltage.

This is not a temp. fix at all. It is permanent. You can take out your entire wiring harness from your car, trace the blue wire back through all its connections and all the other wires its involved with, and replace them all, or you can do a simple relay mod like many many others have done.