stonedglass

I just got my starter rebuilt. When I turned the key, nothing. I followed wires which led me to this thing on the fender wall wired between battery and starter with a few other wires to it. What is this called and is it my issue? Thank you

Jaybird

On my 67 Delta Custom it's called a horn relay. I don't know what you drive.

stonedglass

1966 dynamic 88. What is the purpose of a horn relay?

442scotty

If the starter was working before you rebuilt it you may have it wired incorrectly...easy to mix up the two small wires

Jaybird

Let's put aside the function of a horn relay for a second.

Your positive wire from your battery connects to the horn relay and a few other wires. The full power of your battery goes to the starter from the horn relay connection. Make sure all the wire connections are clean and secure. The ignition switch connection wire goes to the horn relay and then to the starter.

You also want to make sure that the connections from the battery to positive and negative and clean and secure. Also, trace the positive battery connection from the battery and make sure it isn't grounded-out at the starter, against the engine block. (This happened to me this past summer)

I hope someone will check-in here with clearer explanation.

Jaybird

stonedglass

I triple checked my little wires. Where the heck do I find a horn relay or how do I bypass it? None of the auto stored in town sell it.

Jaybird

I really don't think the horn relay is your problem. I could be the connection from your battery to your horn relay, or from your horn relay to your starter. To bypass your horn relay, all you have to do is insert a bolt into all the positive wires instead of using the bolt in the horn relay.
Also, like 442scotty said, look for the two small wires that lead to your starter. I think they are yellow and purple. Make sure that they have good connections.

Here's a pic of a horn relay...

joe_padavano

Just to clarify, the horn relay itself has no part in the starter circuit. On your car, the relay is also used as a junction block for the battery cable. The relay itself is irrelevant to your problem, but the threaded post serves as a connection between the upper and lower battery cables. That's all it does and unless the terminals are fuzzy and green, it is unlikely to be your problem.

bigoldscruiser

Make sure you have power to the junction block terminal and to the large terminal on the starter. Disconnect the two wire plug along side the horn relay that has the yellow and purple wires. Jump 12 volts to the purple wire which goes to the starter solenoid. The starter should engage. If not, the problem is either the starter or the solenoid. The yellow wire is just the temporary bypass to the coil to provide 12 volts while starting.

stonedglass

Thanks everyone for the fast and helpful responses. You Oldsmobile guys are very welcoming and it is appreciated. I found the problem to be a wire going to the ignition switch. For as long as this car sat, it's a matter of having to just replace all those wires. Somethong that requires time and money. Neither of which I have.
Another question though. I lit the tires up and it left two marks. How do you tell if it's posi or limited slip? Thanks to all.

joe_padavano

I'd say that's a pretty good indication.

stonedglass

Yea, nut which is it?

bigoldscruiser

With Oldsmobiles, the differential is either "open" or "anti-spin". Since you are leaving dual marks, it is most likely the latter. "Posi" and "Limited-slip" are just two commonly used terms the mean the same.

stonedglass

Cool. Thank you. Oh, and above I meant but, not nut