I wouldn't think it would be the relay. Sounds like a bad starter, you can test the relay by touching a wire to the postive on the battery and the positve terminal on the starting motor. You should hear a clicking sound. Otherwise, take it out and have it tested.

I would think that it is the relay though. If your relay was good, then when you turned the key, the starter would make a click, or start grinding or something. When you turn the key all the way, your lights may also dim, but nothing happens. That would still be your starter being stupid. Not the relay. With the relay broke, it would result in what you have.

Go grab a manual for your car, or go to Autozone and read through one. I think their computers even have a short DIY help guide on it.

check the relay first sounds like its your problem.

yeah all the interior lights go on the dash lights. but when i turn it just dims all the lights no click no turn nothing. im gonna jack up the car today and see if the starter maybe somehow came unplugged because ever since i took out the balance shafts the engine vibrates it caused my alternator bolt to back out 2 times until i loctited it. so i wouldnt be surprised. but i still dont know exactly where the relay is.

ok so i took out the starter and brought it to AAP and they tested it. right at 90 amps so its good. the relay looked good to but tomorrow im gonna go get a new relay i swear thats not the problem i give up.

Its either your starter relay or the ignition switch. I ditched the turn key switch to turn on the car for a push button one. It's pretty cool, you can hide it so the thief's can feel stupid when they get in..or if they ever get in.

I forgot about the ignition switch. When mine went bad, it would take me several tries to start my car and it kept getting worse. Id have to play with it for several minutes. You can replace this in a matter of a couple minutes if that was your problem.

Take a look at the following, this is from Auto, Car, & Truck STARTER SERVICE: diagnose bad starter symptoms, diagnostic and repair help

"TAKE NOTE: if your engine "turns over", in other words makes the r---rrrr---rrrr sort of noise it normally makes when you turn the key all the way to "start", YOU DO NOT HAVE A STARTER PROBLEM.
The ONLY thing the starter does is turn the engine over.
NOTE: BAD STARTER SYMPTOMS ARE VERY CLOSE TO BAD BATTERY SYMPTOMS AND BAD ALTERNATOR SYMPTOMS You MUST have a fully charged battery for your starter to operate properly. The ALTERNATOR keeps your battery charged. Symptoms of a bad starter:

If your lights are bright with the engine off, but they get really dim when you turn the engine over with the starter, and the engine turns over very slowly, you may have a starter problem. If freshly cleaned battery terminals get hot along with the entire battery cable (positive and negative) you probably have a bad starter.

HINT: Often you can tap on the rear of a starter that does NOTHING: (that is, you turn the key and get only silence: no rr-rrr-rr sound) and make it start one more time.
What happens is the brushes wear out in the starter, making a bad electric contact. Tapping on the back of the starter with a hammer jars the brushes back in place, where they'll make contact one more time.

Another way starters fail is in the "bendix" or starter drive. Your car will start to turn over with the starter, then suddenly make a rrrrrrr-ing! kind of noise, and the engine will stop rotating while the starter motor keeps going! "

DSM4mee, that is very useful info. and all, but he tested the starter and its good. So more then likey its his relay.

Not sure if you checked the started fuse yet either, or any of your fuses for that matter. It has not been mentioned yet.

no i havent checked the starter fuse i been looking at the stupid haynes manual and it honestly bites. i think i found the starter relay so im gonna change that. ive looked for a starter fuse but couldnt find that. If on thursday it isnt the relay im gonna take a wild guess and say its my ignition switch but i dont know i hate electrical problems. Thanks for all the replies guys. I was actually praying it was my starter because then at least i knew what the problem was and i could just buy a new one. Now its like im lost again.

You just got to keep doing what your doing. Your not lost yet. If after you checked the starter, relay, ignition and all fuses, the car still doesnt start. Then you should feel lost. Not just yet though. Good luck.

Guys I need your help. Can someone please verify the part number for the starter relay on a 98 awd? I call mitsu gave him a part number for what I think might be the relay and all they can say is "I dont know my pc just says relay." They told me it cost about 37 bucks which is fine but I dont want to buy the wrong part if thats not whats wrong. Thanks guys for the help please!!!

A relay switch is a relay switch for the most part. I know in most cars you can just go to autozone and buy any old relay and put it in. Im not 100% if this is the case, but I would feel confident with what mitsu is gonna sell you.

AutoZone.com | Vehicle Selection - Year

Thats what Im thinking.

So I took it out and brought it to get tested passed with flying colors. Well I guess I was wrong. Turns out it was the starter after all and one of the inner tooths or connecting points wasnt working. Had some friends come over checked all the fuses, relays. Thank god hes a master tech. We took out the old pipe and beat the crap out of the starter. It eventually started to bite and started twice. So even though I have to buy a new starter Im happy as hell because at least I know its not some freak electrical problem. Thanks guys!!

Im a bit confused though. I thought you said you already tested the starter?

Well after installing a new starter on sunday. The car ran great for 2 days. Wed. morning get ready to go to work and no start again!!!! Damn DSMs!! Guess ill be spending my day off tinkering with the car again.

Wow, thats just some crappy luck. I hope you get it fixed today atleast.