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Triumph TR6 - Starter Relay?

Hi gang,

When I turn the key to start my '74 TR6, all I get is a click from the starter relay - not the solenoid. If I bridge the solenoid/starter terminals, the starter does it's thing and the car starts right up.

I've checked all my connections which are all apparently good and I have a fairly new battery in excellent condition.

I've searched the archives but haven't been able to find a way to bypass/test the starter relay.

Any ideas?

thanks!

Tim

T L Brand

One more bit of info:

I just checked for voltage in the second smaller wire to the solenoid when turning the key and ........ drum roll please ........ none, nada, zip. I still got the click but no voltage to the solenoid via the relay.

It's my understanding that its that small wire that, when turning the key, activates the solenoid and in turn the starter.

What do you think?

Thanks,
Tim

T L Brand

T L,
look like your relay is gone. good new is : it is the cheaper part of the starter set up.

Paddy
Paddy

Tim

The contacters in the solenoid get burned? Sounds likely without seeing. But pull the unit and check sometimes a quick clean up will get you going. Make sure you use 2 wrenches on the wire post nuts very fragile.

You can buy them seperate and replace as a kit still I think.

Bill
Bill Brayford

Thanks for the replies Paddy and Bill,

Since no signal is going to the solenoid via the small wire, I'm leaning towards the relay. Tomorrow I'll recheck my connections just in case.

I swung by my local parts store (Kragen) and they ordered a new relay for me, which I'll have tomorrow afternoon. I was quite suprised that they could get it in the first place and it was $10.00 less than my TR specialist catalogs have it going for! Plus there is a 60 return policy - no questions asked! Cool huh?

Thanks again guys!

Tim
T L Brand

They accept returns of electrical parts? Unheard of..
Tom

Hi Tim
I have recently had the same problem with an MGB, if the relay is going click the problem is more likely to be with either the wiring after the relay or the solenoid.
After trying several different relays from my box of useful bits which usually sorted the problem for a couple of weeks I took the starter motor out and renewed the solenoid [about 30 UK £] and it has solved the problem.
As a matter of interest my '75 TR6 doesn't have a relay on the starter circuit.
Ron
R. Algie

Gentle Geese,

You will be AMAZED at the pieces that are available for these cars from a REAL auto parts store. By 'real' auto parts store I mean one that has genuine counter people who are knowledgeable about automobiles in general.

Example: I called Advance Auto (I know, I know) last Sunday to see if they had a valley pan for my 440 Dart. Since the car is a 69 and the engine is a 440 from a 73 Charger, I told the telephone answerer that it was a 440 Mopar. He asked what model car, I said 73 Dodge Charger. His next question was "pickup truck?". I thanked him for his time and hung up.

My point is that if you contact a Napa store or Parts Plus afilliate you're more likely to get someone who has enough interest and enough experience with cars to enjoy the fact that you're looking for parts for a classic automobile. The Advance Auto stores just don't have the time or the inclination (usually, there are exceptions I'm sure) to do the research to find the pieces we need for our classic cars be they foreign or domestic.

Whew, this turned out longer than I intended guys but I think you get my drift. I've bought many pieces for my TR6 from my local Parts Plus afilliate.

I hope this helps,

Jim (Goose Keeper)
Jim Deatsch

Well, I checked all my connections (so I thought) for the 3rd time and made sure I had no signal going to the solenoid via the relay. Went to Kragen, got the new relay, installed it and ........ click, click.

From the battery + terminal there is a connector on the way down to the solenoid. The lead from the relay goes through it also and even though I had wiggled, disconnected and reconnected all several times, apparently I needed to do it one more time!

So the car fired right up like usual. Went back to Kragen and got my $$ back - no questions asked!

The lesson I keep re-learning is to check your connections first!

humbly yours
Tim

Tim Brand

Hey Jim--Your awesome 440 Dart qualifies you to phone-in to the Tappet Bros. radio show on Saturday mornings. Let me know when that'll happen so I'm listening.

Rick O.
Rick Orthen

Grins. They'd just give me grief Rick.

But thanks,

Jim
Jim Deatsch

This thread was discussed between 23/06/2004 and 25/06/2004

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