V8 starter relay

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V8 Starter Relay

The Starter Relay is used to enable the starter when the automatic is in Neutral or Park (in other words, disable the starter if the automatic transmission is in drive or reverse). If you convert your V8 to a manual transmission, you can disable the relay so you can start in any gear. (This was the factory solution for the Type 44 200s).

Here are some images to explain the process of replacing the starter relay with a jumper wire.

1. The main relay panel is under the passenger (right) side kick-panel, secured by 2 large plastic twist nuts. When you remove the kick panel, you will expose the main relay panel. The finger points to the Starter Relay.
   

   

   1. The Main Relay Panel, and the starter relay.
2. Here's the top of the starter relay, showing part number "0 332 014 156". ETKA does not list it. Googling seems to show it is a common Bosch relay, and is also used for fog lights and fuel pumps.
   

   

   2. The top of the relay.
3. The bottom of the starter relay, showing the terminal pairs: 30/85, and 86/87.
   

   

   3. The bottom of the starter relay.
4. Starter relay removed and replaced by a jumper wire. To bypass the relay, remove the relay and place a jumper wire between terminals 36 and 37. Those are the terminal numbers on the relay panel; they do not match or correspond with the numbers on the relay itself.
   

   

   4a. Starter relay jumper wire.
   Tony suggested jumping terminals 36 to 38, which I tried. That worked, too.
   

   

   4b. Jumper wire, alternate position.
   Kent McLean 20:30, 2 May 2009 (UTC)