WARNING: Incorrect procedures can cause damage to your vehicle’s electrical system. Consult a qualified technician for the best and most accurate assistance.
WARNING: Be careful when touching any electrical wires or components as your vehicle may still have residual electrical current that can cause injury. Disconnect the vehicle's battery before attempting any electrical work.
1. Park your car in a safe location. Set the transmission to the "Park" position and engage the parking brake. Turn the engine off and allow it to cool down completely.
2. Open the hood of your car. Locate the starter relay. It's usually a small, black box with several wires connected to it. The starter relay is usually located near the battery or on the inner fender.
3. Disconnect the wires from the starter relay. There are usually two or three wires connected to the starter relay. Use a wrench to loosen the nuts or bolts that hold the wires in place, and then disconnect the wires.
4. Use jumper cable to create direct power to the starter solenoid. Connect one end of a jumper cable to the battery's positive terminal and the other end to a small wire that goes from the relay connection to the starter solenoid (S).
5. Attempt to start the car. Turn the key to the "Start" position. If the car starts, it means that the starter relay is faulty and needs to be replaced.
6. Reconnect the wires to the starter relay. Reattach the wires that you disconnected in step 3, and then use wrench to tighten the nuts or bolts that hold the wires in place.
7. Close the hood of your car.
If your car still doesn't start, the problem may not be with the starter relay. You may need to consult with a qualified mechanic to determine the cause of the problem and have it repaired.
