Starter Relay?

[bcjjones]

My car, a 1993 Eclipse 2.0 N/T, has a little starting issue. Sometimes when I turn the key, the car does nothing. This happened every once in a while when i first bought it, figured it was the clutch safety switch so I bypassed it. Havent had a problem with is since, until a couple days ago. Like i said, turn the key, and nothing happens. So my question is, does a starter relay just got bad or can it work sometimes and then not work sometimes? When the starer does engage, its not slow, never has made a clicking noise, and has never been hard to start. It fires right up like its a brand new starter, which is the only reason im leaning toward something else. I also know that my car is equipped with the anti theft device, and I know that it wont engage the starter if its triggered somehow. I dont have the alarm key so maybe thats it also?

Sry, basically just want to know if the starter relay can work intermittently?

And also how to bypass the thing?

 

[ChiTownHussla]

so you say NOTHING happens? no whir , no click, nOTHING?

 

[bcjjones]

I can hear a click under the dash, and a click from the fuse box under the hood, but nothing at all from the starter. Not a thing. Then all the sudden, it fires right up.

 

[Brandon1ggsx]

I'd start with the small wire going to the starter to see if its loose or has a partial break, never herd of a relay going out either they work or don't, worst case ignition switch.

 

[bcjjones]

Usually have to wait a few minutes, and it doesnt always engage. I've push started it, drove it 30 miles home, turned it off and it still wouldnt do anything at all. Let it sit over night, the next morning still the same thing. Nothing at all but the relay's clicking. Then a couple hours later, it fires right up, and will keep firing right up over and over again.

 

[Brandon1ggsx]

If the relays clicking i'd check the wire from the relay to the starter.

 

[bcjjones]

So basically if the relay under the dash is clicking, even when the starter isnt being engaged, then the starter relay behind the radio is working correctly?

I mean a starter usually slowly goes out right? Or at least shows signs of slowing down, I mean it for sure wouldnt work so well one time, and then not at all the next?

 

[dallasadkins90]

So basically if the relay under the dash is clicking, even when the starter isnt being engaged, then the starter relay behind the radio is working correctly?

I mean a starter usually slowly goes out right? Or at least shows signs of slowing down, I mean it for sure wouldnt work so well one time, and then not at all the next?

it can be the starter can you get underneath and jump the starter when the car will not start? if you do this it will tell you if its in the wires or starter i had the same problem on my 420a and it was the starter they act like a fuel pump they can go out instantly slowly go out or work and not work at different times

 

[bcjjones]

Well it doesnt seem like I can reach the starter from the bottom at all. I tried before when it wouldnt start but couldnt get to it.

What I noticed now that I absolutely CAN NOT get it to not actuate the starter, is that when it wouldnt turn over, I couldnt hear the starter relay clicking behind the radio. I could only hear the one under the dash and under the hood. Now that its starting everytime i've notice i can hear the relay under the radio click everytime, but like i said i couldnt hear it clicking when the starter wasnt engaging.

This is probably the first time i've wanted a car not to start . I just cant seem to get it to act up again.

So another question i have is, if the starter is in fact bad and working intermittently, should I still be able to hear the relay under the radio clicking anyways?

Because if so, then maybe it is my ignition switch?

 

[brane_97talon]

Usually have to wait a few minutes, and it doesnt always engage. I've push started it, drove it 30 miles home, turned it off and it still wouldnt do anything at all. Let it sit over night, the next morning still the same thing. Nothing at all but the relay's clicking. Then a couple hours later, it fires right up, and will keep firing right up over and over again.

Hey OP, I had the same exact issue on my 92 TSI. sometimes the starter would work, other times i would have to wait like 30 mins like you. First I tried cleaning all the wires and grounds, but it turned out my original starter with 128,000 finally quit on me.

In short, I had the same symptoms as you and replacing the starter was the cure

oh and the easiest way to access the starter I found is by removing the battery and battery tray....gives you a bit more room to work with

 

[bcjjones]

Yea I understand, more then likely it is my starter going out. Just kinda curious if, when having a bad starter, whether or not you should be able to hear the starter relay behind the dash click? Regardless if the starter is working or not?