TR6 Starter Relay on a 73 TR6??

[Mangoman27]

I'm working on the wiring for my 1973 (oct 1792) TR6 and I see a starter relay. Would this mean someone used a 1974 wiring harness? I guess my REAL question is...should I replace the starter relay OR just go without it?......maybe just get a new wiring harness for the 73? Input is deeply appreciated.

 

[NutmegCT]

Welcome to BCF.

I'd say if the relay is working, just leave it. A relay prevents high draw going through the ignition switch.

If you're not the original owners of your TR6 - you may find lots of updates, upgrades, and improvements popping up!
Tom M.

 

[poolboy]

The main reason for the 74 having a starter relay and the 73 did not is because the 74 cars had a 'seatbelt module' that used the relay to disable the starter if the seatbelts were not buckled

 

[Gliderman8]

I also have a '73 TR6. When I did the restoration. I used a wiring harness from a '74 and I added the starter relay. If you have it I would keep it.

 

[Mangoman27]

Thanks a bunch guys! The wiring is a hot mess (stuff going everywhere). I'm doing a modest refub on it....sounds like keeping it is a good option so I'll do that. Gilderman....I was thinking of doing the same (buying a 74 harness)....did that mess with the gauge wiring?

 

[Mangoman27]

Welcome to BCF.

I'd say if the relay is working, just leave it. A relay prevents high draw going through the ignition switch.

If you're not the original owners of your TR6 - you may find lots of updates, upgrades, and improvements popping up!
Tom M.

Thanks for the advice....I'm gonna leave it on (actually replace it with new, but the same idea)

 

[Gliderman8]

Thanks a bunch guys! The wiring is a hot mess (stuff going everywhere). I'm doing a modest refub on it....sounds like keeping it is a good option so I'll do that. Gilderman....I was thinking of doing the same (buying a 74 harness)....did that mess with the gauge wiring?

The ‘74 harness I used did not at all interfere with the gauges. The wiring harness in my ‘73 was in bad shape. I bought a ‘74 body shell to use some of the outer panels and also decided to move the wiring harness over.
See post #3 from poolboy regarding the seatbelt module to make sure you have that as well as the seat switches.

 

[Mangoman27]

The ‘74 harness I used did not at all interfere with the gauges. The wiring harness in my ‘73 was in bad shape. I bought a ‘74 body shell to use some of the outer panels and also decided to move the wiring harness over.
See post #3 from poolboy regarding the seatbelt module to make sure you have that as well as the seat switches.

Thanks a bunch! Will-do with the seat switches (I see them on the wiring diagram).

 

[Gliderman8]

Thanks a bunch! Will-do with the seat switches (I see them on the wiring diagram).

Just a heads up..... most just bypass the seatbelt interlock as it can be a pain at times.

 

[Mangoman27]

Just a heads up..... most just bypass the seatbelt interlock as it can be a pain at times.

Thanks for that (I was quietly thinking the same....)

 

[poolboy]

If he has a 72 or even a 73 there wouldn't be a seatbelt module to use with his 74 wiring harness.

 

[Mangoman27]

If he has a 72 or even a 73 there wouldn't be a seatbelt module to use with his 74 wiring harness.

I was thinking what Gilderman means is that i might need to bridge the wires that normally go there or it'll always think they are not connected (unless not having the module at all means the wires just go unused?)

 

[Gliderman8]

If he has a 72 or even a 73 there wouldn't be a seatbelt module to use with his 74 wiring harness.

Right you are. I also suggest he check to sure he has one in post #7. I do see them every once in a while on eBay.

 

[poolboy]

There's a work around...instead of running the w/r wire to the seatbelt module..which he lacks...just run it to the the starter relay where the w/o from the seatbelt module would have gone had he had a seatbelt module

 

[Gliderman8]

I was thinking what Gilderman means is that i might need to bridge the wires that normally go there or it'll always think they are not connected (unless not having the module at all means the wires just go unused?)

No, I never suggested "bridging" any wires. I just suggested that you bypass the interlock module for the starter. If I remember correctly it's pin 11 and pin 12 on the round module connector.

 

[Gliderman8]

There's just a work around...instead of running the w/r wire to the seatbelt module..which he lacks...just run it to the the starter relay where the w/o from the seatbelt module would have gone had he had a seatbelt module

Agree... this is a better option than messing with the module.

 

[poolboy]

At the plug for the seatbelt module (which the 72 and 73 lack) he could connect the w/o to the w/r at seat belt module PLUG on the 74 wiring harness.
But I think the only reason he wants to use a 74 harness instead of the one for his year is to utilize a starter relay...I'd have to give that some more thought....a relay is not really needed...there is only enough current to activate the solenoid going thru the relay...it's not like the amps needed not the actual starter motor
The starter relay was only on the 74 and 75's and that was mainly part of the safety feature to make a person buckle up before the starter would work...actually in 75 the factory abandoned the idea of disabling the starter thru the relay.

 

[Mangoman27]

Youre right, the only reason to move to the 74 harness for me was to use the relay ( it seems adding one in 74 and 75 was an improvement....)

 

[poolboy]

Not really...it was a safety feature in 74,...the seatbelt module and relay components themselves were retained in 75 but factory defeated the interrelated safety aspect.

 

[Mangoman27]

Not really...it was a safety feature in 74,...the seatbelt module and relay components themselves were retained in 75 but factory defeated the interrelated safety aspect.

Nice....it would certainly be easier to just get a 73 harness and start fresh