Wrangler L6-4.0L VIN S (2000)
Starter Relay: Testing and Inspection
Relay Circuit Test
Starter Relay
The starter relay is located in the Power Distribution Center (PDC), in the engine compartment. Refer to the fuse and relay layout label affixed to the
underside of the PDC cover for starter relay identification and location.
1. The relay common feed terminal cavity (30) is connected to battery voltage and should be hot at all times. If OK, go to Step 2. If not OK, repair
the open circuit to the fused B(+) fuse in the PDC as required.
2. The relay normally closed terminal (87A) is connected to terminal 30 in the de-energized position, but is not used for this application. Go to Step
3.
3. The relay normally open terminal (87) is connected to the common feed terminal (30) in the energized position. This terminal supplies battery
voltage to the starter solenoid field coil. There should be continuity between the cavity for relay terminal 87 and the starter solenoid terminal at all
times. If OK, go to Step 4. If not OK, repair the open engine starter motor relay output circuit to the starter solenoid as required.
4. The coil battery terminal (86) is connected to the electromagnet in the relay. It is energized when the ignition switch is held in the Start position.
On vehicles with a manual transmission, the clutch pedal must be blocked in the fully depressed position for this test. Check for battery voltage at
the cavity for relay terminal 86 with the ignition switch in the Start position, and no voltage when the ignition switch is released to the ON
position. If OK, go to Step 5. If not OK with a manual transmission, disconnect the clutch pedal position switch wire harness connector and install
a jumper wire between the two cavities in the body half of the connector and check for battery voltage again at the cavity for relay terminal 86. If
now OK, replace the faulty clutch pedal position switch. If still not OK with a manual transmission or if not OK with an automatic transmission,
check for an open or shorted fused ignition switch output (start) circuit to the ignition switch and repair, as required. If the fused ignition switch
output (start) circuit is OK, refer to Ignition Switch and Key Lock Cylinder for the location of the proper ignition switch diagnosis and testing
procedures.
5. The coil ground terminal (85) is connected to the electromagnet in the relay. On vehicles with a manual transmission, it is grounded at all times.
On vehicles with an automatic transmission, it is grounded through the park/neutral position switch only when the gearshift selector lever is in the
Park or Neutral positions. Check for continuity to ground at the cavity for relay terminal 85. If not OK with a manual transmission, repair the open
park/neutral position switch sense circuit to ground as required. If not OK with an automatic transmission, check for an open or shorted
park/neutral position switch sense circuit to the park/neutral position switch and repair, as required. If the park/neutral position switch sense circuit
checks OK, refer to Park/Neutral Position Switch for the location of the proper park/neutral position switch diagnosis and testing procedures.