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Re: Is the starter relay and ignition relay the same...
No. Starter relay may also be known as the "solenoid". It works the starter motor.
Ignition system is a different system, and may not even have a relay, depending on your car.
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If you hear nothing the problem could be a defective ignition switch or a defecrtive starter relay. The igntiion switch will activate a relay that switches current to the starter solenoid (located on the starter). The relay is located under the dash just to the right of the instrument cluster. It is a 5-pin relay in the wiring harness.The electrical contacts inside the relay enclosure will become pitted (corroded) with age. Replacement is necessary.
Otherwise, the ignition switch is at fault and will have to be replaced. It is not an uncommon problem with older vehicles.
You may have a bad ignition switch, a blown fuse somewhere or a bad relay. Do you have power going to the starter. That is the first thing I look for. Does the starter click at all? If not, it's a relay or the ignition switch.
It is due to one of 2 things. The ignition key can still be sending the start signal to the starter relay through the small wire in the Relay solenoid; or the starter Relay is stuck after it gets the signal from the key and the key is correctly in the RUN position.
You would need to put a voltmeter on the small wire on the starter solenoid. The Relay should not connect the battery to the starter without this small wire attached to it.. If this wire is off and the starter gets power, the relay is bad. If you test the small wire for power, it should only have power in the START position. The small wire should be powerless in any other position.
If the small wire has power at other times, the ignition switch is bad.
before i can go any further i have seen bad starter kill power to small wire, does not sound correct i know but it happens, remove the small wire from the starter and test it for power with key in the crank position.
if there is power at small wire when removed from starter then starter is bad. let me know the out come. good day
I had a similar problem where the battery was ok
but there was no sound from the starter and also there no lights on in
the dash when the key was turned. Checked the fuse and checked wire
from the fuse back to the ignition switch. The wire from the fuse was
ok in fuse box but had no voltage at the ignition sw. The was also no
voltage to terminal 30 in the starter relay. Ran a new wire from the
fuse to the ignition and it fixed everything. Check for voltage at
terminal 30 on the starter relay
Could be the ignition key/lock assembly hanging up in the "start" position. I think the older model GMC's have an adjustment on top of the steering column. A trip to your local library in the automotive section will have some repair books on this model (Chilton, Haynes...).
Good Luck.
Ignition switch and neutral safety switch. Next time it happens wiggle thekeys in the ignition switch and try to restart.If it starts its probably the ignition switch. Then locate neutral safety switch on brake pedal and put meter on B+ wire from switch to starter relay and see if you get B+ on the would -be- crank. Next locate B+ wire from starter relay to starter hook a meter to it and see if you get B+ on the would -be crank.
Where ever B+ is missing is your problem.
the starter is either worn and brushes not making contact or an engine oil leak onto the starter. thus keeping the brushes from making contact you can check this by banging on the starter while someone trys turning the ignition back and forth to start.(making the click click click)
ignition switch is weak, not providing enough voltage from the to kick the soliniod all the way to start the starter
The way to check that is to hot wire the starter soliniod little wire, to battery voltage. (the big cable on the solinoid)
If it turns over good, then you can either replace the ignition switch or install a relay someware near the starter to supply it with propper current to kick the solinoid all the way to engage the motor.
The relay acts as a remote starter switch that feeds more direct power to the starter solinoid.Now the only thing the ignition switch is responsible for, is trigger the relay.
Let's keep things simple to start with... Check the battery that it has sufficient charge. (I did say to keep it simple). Ensure the gear selector is in Park or Neutral if equipped with an automatic trans, or depress the clutch pedal if equipped with a manual trans.
Lastly, in keeping things simple... check all the fuses and fuse links (special fusible wire) that power is available to your vehicle's electrical system.
With a test light, check the starter relay with the key in start position is energising the starter relay... bypass the starter relay if no power is present. if the starter operates, you now know the problem is located within the start control circuit (from the key switch through the starter relay to ground via a neutral safety switch (auto) or clutch switch (Manual).
finding the fault should be quick with a circuit diagram.
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