4 Signs of a Faulty Starter Relay You Should Be Aware Of

A starter relay closes contacts to switch on a bigger current from the ignition switch circuit's smaller current. It functions as a switch for the starter solenoid and starter motor of a vehicle in this fashion.

Starter relays rarely fail but when they do, your car will not start, causing a lot of problems.

Corroded contacts, a defective circuit, contacts that weld together, or just a relay that is too old can all cause a starting relay to fail.

Most car owners and drivers are not aware that a faulty starter relay can result in an MOT failure. Hence, it is recommended to check MOT status of your vehicle and have this issue repaired or a starter relay replacement completed before your next MOT test is due.

4 Signs of a Faulty Starter Relay

You should be aware of these 4 signs of a faulty starter relay:

1.     Failure to Start the Car

Failure to start the car is one of the most common indicators that the starting relay has been broken and needs to be checked right away.  If you turn on the ignition and nothing happens; no clicking, no nothing, that signifies the relay's coil isn't receiving any electricity. As a result, the coil does not attract the armature sufficiently to turn on the battery circuit. The engine will not start as a result of zero electricity passing through the starting solenoid and starter motor. To make sure the battery is functional and in excellent shape, turn on other car accessories or gadgets that need it. If the battery is not dead, the starter may need to be repaired or replaced entirely. Check MOT history of your car to establish if this was also the reason for an MOT failure in the past as there could possibly be other components connected to the starter relay that was at fault.

2.     The Starter Relay Makes a Series of Rapid Clicks

The relay is not supplying enough current to attract the armature, as shown by rapid clicks. The outcome is a succession of clicks as it tries unsuccessfully to close connections during the on and off cycle. Insufficient conductivity due to burned-out contacts or worn-out leads that reduce the amount of current flowing might be one reason of this problem. Both can be caused by a relay that is too old and whose effectiveness has diminished. The issue can be fixed by ensuring that current flows freely through the relay coils and that the contacts are free of dirt and corrosion. If you are not confident in doing this yourself, book your car in with a garage in Reading and request a car mechanic to repair the issue. With the use of sandpaper, the contacts may be scraped to remove the rusted surface. A new relay would simply solve the problem of a relay that has been left on for too long.

3.     Even After The Engine Has Started, The Starter Relay Remains On

The starter relay is activated when the ignition key is turned on and the starter motor and solenoid are turned on. When you turn off the ignition key or button, the motor and starter solenoid should cease working. The starter relay is defective if this does not happen and the starter relay stays on even after the engine has started. It's possible that the relay's contacts have fused together as a result of prolonged exposure to strong currents. Because this type of malfunction might result in damage to the entire starting system, you should take quick action by looking for car service near me garage and booking your car to be fixed.

4.     Engine Starting Fails Occasional and Irregularly

There are instances when starting the engine fails, yet the engine starts when the ignition key is turned off and on again. This indication suggests that the starting relay may be damaged. The majority of the time, it's due to a build-up of dirt and debris on the contacts or leads as a result of extended exposure. The dirt causes a drop in the current flowing through the circuit on occasion. Cleaning the contacts and inspecting the leads for breakage and discontinuity might assist in resolving the issue.

As there are few moving elements in a starting relay (save the armature), it hardly ever fails. When this happens, it's typically due to a loss in the relay's circuit's electrical conductivity.

In an automotive ignition system, the starter relay is a critical component. If it fails, the car may be unable to start.

To ensure that starter relays are operating correctly, they must be constantly monitored.

In the event that they fail, replacing them is always the best option because they are inexpensive to purchase.