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

[Tom]

Clay,
A capacitor would not do the trick for this application. A diode of the proper size would, although I don't know what size would work. Something in the 600 volt 5amp range may do the job. I'll check my parts to see what I have and give it a test. A capacitor/condenser is basically like an accumulator in a fluid system in that it tries to tone down spikes in the supply voltage. A diode is the preferred way to suppress the inductive spike.
The capacitor for the ignition system does more than just keeping the arc down for the points. It gets charged up and helps on the next closed point charging of the coil. It also helps the collapsing field collapse faster upon points opening to provide a stronger spark. If the points are arcing, current is still flowing thru the coil. If current is still flowing, the field can not collapse, and won't allow the strong spark out of the coil secondary. If you are interested look up kettering (sp?) ignition system. It explains in pretty good detail why the condenser is needed for the points style ignition system.
tom