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[Andy H]

Looking at the Haynes manual I can't see a relay  :-/ apologies if I have spreading misinformation.

There doesn't appear to be a separate fuse for the starter feed so I would begin by testing the ignition switch.

Did I mention that it is important not to trust anything unless you have tested it yourself

[davethediver]

Need to get them codes read me thinks

[ryan2.2]

getting lost so were will i find the ignition switch?? how do i test it

[Andy H]

getting lost so were will i find the ignition switch?? how do i test it

With your new multimeter

Have you read these guides?
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1225659626
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1225657771
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1213353737

[ryan2.2]

just had a look at them i am goin to kill my car for ever if i start takeing it apart like that could it really be the key barrel?

[Andy B]

...... that could it really be the key barrel?

It's the switch that it turns that could be your problem

[ryan2.2]

Andy B have you dont this befor??? also do you have a code reader??

[Andy H]

You shouldn't need to take the barrel off the steering column, it is just the switch on the other end of it that needs looking at.

You do need to take the plastic shroud off and then disconnect the electrical plug.

You then need to work out which pin is which and check that an electrical connection occurs when you turn the key to 'start'. (we are expecting that that connection will not occur due to the switch being faulty).

On older vauxhalls the switch clipped on to the end of the lock barrel and was easy to swap over. It was so easy that car thieves learned that to steal a Vauxhall all you needed to do was break the steering lock, smash the plastic cowl & pull the switch off the back of the lock barrel & turn it with a screwdriver.

The first guide shows how it is still fairly simple to remove the switch as long as you have the key.

[Entwood]

Surely easier to find the relay, remove it, and test for voltage at the sockets when the key is turned ?? .. much less dismantling .. and my moneys on the relay anyway ..

[ryan2.2]

It was said befor that there is not a starter relay is that the case? is not the most likely thing to have gone wrong?

[ryan2.2]

would the relay be under the bonnet or under the steering wheel?

[Andy H]

I think I was wrong. I think the AA man was wrong.

I cannot find a starter relay on the wiring diagram.

Lots of cars have starter relays and they frequently cause starting problems so it would be something the AA man might be looking for.

But I think I was wrong, there doesn't appear to be a starter relay.

Sorry.

[ryan2.2]

right ok so i need to take the barrel apart to look at the switch

[Entwood]

All cars have a starter relay of some description ....  just think about it ... there is absolutely no way 60-80 amps goes thorugh the ignition switch !!!!

So you turn the ignition switch which routes low current power to a relay which allows the very high current the starter needs.

not rocket science ... we just need to know where the relay is in this case !! 

And looking at diagrams of the starter itself I think it is an "integral" part of the starter .. actually inside the bit that sits on top of the main starter body ... #8 in this picture ...





This type used to be called a "pre-engaged" starter in my youth ....  the relay pulls in and moves the Y shaped piece to engage the drive teeth on the flywheel, once it has moved far enough it make the electrical contact that makes the starter turn, when you release the key the Y piece retracts dis-engaging the starter ...

Well it was that way 30 odd years ago !!!!

[Andy H]

Thanks Entwood

I was trying not to move on to discussing the solenoid

I agree that the solenoid is simply a hoofing great relay that just happens to be used to whack the the starter gear into engagement before it makes a big electrical contact but I really did believe that there was another relay hidden behind the glove box.

My old range rover has a pre-engaged starter with a solenoid on the side and it also has a relay which makes a very audible click when you turn the key.

My early Omega had a relay the clicked behind the glove box but with the benefit of a little reflection I now realise that it must have been the alarm imobiliser (it could stop the engine firing but it couldn't stop the starter from turning)