Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

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

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

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

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

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.

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