Starter relay or no starter relay, Been reading up for an hour and still don't know!! Options

[David Stowers]

On two occasions recently on pulling onto my driveway after a long journey my car won't restart after turning off to unlock the garage door. Luckily I can then just push the car in but with a European tour booked in the summer I'd like to sort the problem.
When I get back in after opening the garage the lights on the dash dim when I turn the key to start but there is no click. 20 minutes later it will start right up. Is this the problem that will be solved by a hot start relay kit or just a good old fashioned sticky solenoid? I'd rather do just the relay or just replace the solenoid so which is it?
Thanks guys

[toolguy]

Technically speaking, electrical current travels on the surface of a wire, not so much through a wire. . cleaning just the trans ground connection isn't good enough if the outside of the wire web of the ground strap is full of corrosion. . Same goes for the positive battery cable. . Often if you peel back some of the insulation at the battery terminal, you'll see the cable is coated with corrosion inside the sheath. . . . all this put together adds resistance and reduces the total current flow available to the starter. . If you have slow cranking then it may be time to replace the cables .
The relay addition is only for the circuit that energizes the solenoid and is good for prolonging the life of the ignition switch. . much easier to change a relay than find a good ignition switch. .

[r_towle]

Technically speaking, electrical current travels on the surface of a wire, not so much through a wire. . cleaning just the trans ground connection isn't good enough if the outside of the wire web of the ground strap is full of corrosion. . Same goes for the positive battery cable. . Often if you peel back some of the insulation at the battery terminal, you'll see the cable is coated with corrosion inside the sheath. . . . all this put together adds resistance and reduces the total current flow available to the starter. . If you have slow cranking then it may be time to replace the cables .
The relay addition is only for the circuit that energizes the solenoid and is good for prolonging the life of the ignition switch. . much easier to change a relay than find a good ignition switch. .

This is exactly why replacing the 40 year old tranny ground strap is critical...along with a new positive lead.

Clean clean clean.

But go for it, if you want to spend the money and time for a relay, have at it.
You will still need to replace the tranny ground strap.