Relay in addition to starter solenoid?

[disquek]

The PO of my car (S4 with BDP) had installed a regular relay between the key and the starter solenoid.

The starter is a Tilton Super Starter hi torque.

I've never seen this previously. Before I remove the relay, I wanted to see if maybe the Elan key switch wasn't up to the current required by the solenoid or if there was some other issue that I wasn't aware of.

Thank you!!!
-Kyle

[alan.barker]

Are you sure the po has not put all the Cables on th same Terminal of the Original Starter Solenoid to use as a Terminal Block. I think the Tilton has an internal Solenoid. The Relay is to stop too much power going through the Ignition Switch.
Alan

[disquek]

Yes. I'm sure.

The PO has put a relay between the key and the solenoid. So the key activates the relay. The relay activates the solenoid.

-Kyle

[englishmaninwales]

Maybe fitted to get around old wires and connectors resulting in sufficient voltage drop, especially when hot, resulting in failed start.

[billwill]

The inductive nature of the solenoid activating coil tends to make the starter contacts on the ignition switch spark and burn, so fitting a relay as described lengthens the lifetime of the ignition switch.

Relays are cheaper and more readily available than ignition key-switches.

[Frogelan]

I think there have been bits of debate on this already (I'm rather tired now to look it up).

I'm hoping to use a relay to the intergrated solenoid on my starter motor (I have no old loom for reference and have not looked up the details).

Could someone sketch up a diagram showing the best solution that does not damage the ignition switch or the starter by any chance ? Recommendations on relays would also be very appreciated !

Many thanks