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

[ClayPerrine]

I believe it and understand it. That's the same reason a condenser (aka capacitor) was put in place in parallel with the points. It gives the voltage spike a path to ground that is less resistance than the air gap between the points. Kinda like a catch can for the spark.

I don't have training in analog electronics, just digital. But I have read the basics.

So why not put a capacitor at the back of the ignition switch? It would be cheaper, it would dampen the electrical spike, and it would not add another circuit to the car like a relay does.

[Mark Henry]

I believe it and understand it. That's the same reason a condenser (aka capacitor) was put in place in parallel with the points. It gives the voltage spike a path to ground that is less resistance than the air gap between the points. Kinda like a catch can for the spark.

I don't have training in analog electronics, just digital. But I have read the basics.

So why not put a capacitor at the back of the ignition switch? It would be cheaper, it would dampen the electrical spike, and it would not add another circuit to the car like a relay does.

Why make it more complicated than it is. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

I can install a Ford relay in 30 minutes, that includes making the harness.
I cut no wires in the harness.
I drill no holes*.

*I make one hole on the solenoid bigger 10mm, then carefully bend the bracket and it bolts to the bottom starter stud.

The only one ford solinoid I've had fail in almost 30 years was in a winter driven Super Beetle. The solenoid was totally corroded from salt. The car was scrapped a short time after a new one was installed. (In fact that very replacement is now on my bus.)