I finally got around to putting a relay into my starting circuit so I didn't have to click the key about 20 times before she started (other times I'd just jump from the battery to the back of the starter and not even attempt to crank with the key)

Long story short, she's still not cranking over when I turn the key, it's back to the *turn key*.... nothing... *turn key*.... nothing... *turn key*.... nothing... *turn key*.... crank type dealio... Should I be looking to the key switch now? I know the rest of the circuit is OK because I've been able to crank it direct from the battery and also through the relay direct from the battery...

 

(1982 Brat, Craptachi Carbed EA81, 4Spd S/R)

pull the panel under the streering coluum

 

look for a pink colored connector that

feeds the ignition switch.

 

It probably has a melted contact in it that will be

quite obvious.

 

Show us the wiring diagram you used for this

new relay, please.

 

Do you own a test light that could be wired to the

relay contact that goes to the starter?

pull the panel under the streering coluum

 

look for a pink colored connector that

feeds the ignition switch.

 

It probably has a melted contact in it that will be

quite obvious.

K, I'll check that when I get a chance

 

Show us the wiring diagram you used for this

new relay, please.

I would but it's in my head!

Ummm... Lets see, ground connection goes to ground on the strut tower, switching means is coming from the wire that used to go to the starter (output from the key switch) +12V is, well, +12V, and the output goes to the terminal on the back of the starter... trust me, I've wired enough relays to know that's in right

Do you own a test light that could be wired to the

relay contact that goes to the starter?

I probably can wire a lamp in there one way or another

trust me, I've wired enough relays to know that's in right

 

I probably can wire a lamp in there one way or another

Kewl.

Then wire it to the relay output contact going to the starter

and hang it below the dash.

 

The ignition switch "sweet spot" GD mentions is

why I ask for this.

 

I have added this relay to a half dozen Subes

and never had a failure - except for the "sweet spot"

problem.

This is why I install pushbuttons.

 

Using a relay still relies on the switch.

If you haven't checked the wire connection to the ignition switch under the steering column I suggest you check that out. A common problem is the terminal connection in the connector goes bad. This may be where the real trouble is at.

From Cougar

"A common problem is the terminal connection in the connector goes bad. "

 

This connector is what I mentioned

in post #2.

 

Here is another

post on an EA81 starter issue

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=85035&highlight=ignition

 

Here (thanks to Edrach) is what you might find.