Starter relay

[Hugo Karasawa]

Yes, you only need to change some terminals.

[Hugo Karasawa]

Could I take a kit designed for installation at the starter and put it under the dash instead?
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Yes, you only need to change some terminals.

[David Jones]

Brian, make your own. Here is one version I made. I can dig out the specs if you need them. The configuration is the same for different manufacturers.

[David Jones]

Two different relays, do the same thing. On Amazon.
TEMCo Industrial 6 V 30/40 Amp Bosch Style S Relay SPDT Automotive

[Brian R Adams]

David,

I really like the simplicity of what you show there, if that's all there is to it.
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[David Jones]

Easy Brian, that really is all there is to it. One ring terminal, 4 male bullets, 1 female bullet interconnector, 4 x 1/4" quick connects and 2 x 0.187 quick connects. A soldering iron and a crimping tool. Relay cost about $5. I used bullet connectors from old harnesses I scavenged and the quick connects I always have dozens of.

[Hugo Karasawa]

I think these are the connections and terminals for the SSR behind the dash

using this type of relay , shown is a 12V but the same connections for a 6V relay

and here the connections and terminals for the relay near the starter

[David Jones]

Nicely laid out Hugo.

[Brian R Adams]

Hugo,

In the "SSR behind the dash" cable layout, what does the female bullet ("was in 50") now connect to?

Also, did those blue plastic crimp collars come on the bullet connectors shown?
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[Hugo Karasawa]

It should read "cable that was in 50 on the starter switch, it is the cable that goes to the starter solenoid. I am using a female bullet connector instead of the bullet to bullet splice in the Euganeo diagram.

The blue plastic crimp collars come on the bullet connectors, I should have used soldered bullets when Itook the picture but I did not have any.
Those crimp type connectors come in two sizes, one slightly larger and the other slightly smaller than the metric bullet connectors, I suggest to use metric soldered bullets for this application.

[Peter Silten]

Here is a photo and a guide to my behind-the-dash setup:

The relay has four male spade connections 85, 86, 87 and 30.

1. The wire running from 85 on the relay is the ground wire and connects to one of the gauges (the green wire);

2. The wire running from 86 on the relay plugs into the # 50 receptacle on the ignition switch (the red wire with the male bullet);

3. The wire running from 87 on the relay has a female bullet that the # 50 wire plugs into (the black wire with the female bullet);

4. The wire running from 30 on the relay plugs into one of the empty #30 receptacles on the ignition switch (the yellow wire with the male bullet).

[Brian R Adams]

Ok, it all makes sense now. Thanks guys!

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[Neil Bardsley]

The reason that the relay is placed near the starter is so that you can directly connect to the thick black cable that connects directly to the battery. Unfortunately this cable doesn't run under the dash. If you are able to jack your car up safe then the installation by the starter is easier than being inverted under the dash

[David Jones]

The VW folks originally called it a "hard start relay" and it was p[laced near the starter because it was thought it would reduce the volts drop which caused the solenoid to fail to operate when the actual cause was the battery being at low voltage or the ignition switch contacts being the high resistance cause. The main battery cable was the obvious place to pick up the power supply to the relay contacts.
Joe Leoni designated the switch name correctly as being a switch saver relay which not only reduced wear on the ignition switch but replaced the sliding contacts of the ignition switch with the direct make/break contacts of the relay.
Even with a lift I find it easier to put the relay under the dash. Remove the combo gauge and the ignition switch while sitting comfortably in the air conditioned garage in the drivers seat and install the prepared relay in a matter of minutes. No muss no fuss and even have a cup of tea while working and listen to the radio.

[Wes Bender]

To each his own. I installed my Leoni relay at the starter a long time ago and it was quite easy to do. Neither way is incorrect. It's purely a personal choice. In either case, it reduces the current flow through the ignition switch while starting.