It is very possible to start the car engine without using an electric starter. To do this, you will either need to push the car thoroughly, or ask someone to tow you. But, you must admit, there are not always passengers with you in the cabin who would help to start a car with a “pusher”, and not every oncoming driver agrees to carry you.
Unfortunately, on domestic cars, problems with starting the engine occur everywhere. As for the starter, it itself crashes quite rarely. But the details that ensure its operation fail often.
In this article we will talk about what constitutes a solenoid starter relay and deal with its design using the example of the VAZ-2114. In addition, we will consider its problems, as well as possible malfunctions of other elements of the engine starting system that have similar symptoms.
The design of the starting device and where the starter relay is located on the VAZ-2114
The "fourteenth" starter is a conventional DC motor, consisting of:
- housing;
- four-pole anchor (rotor);
- Bendix (overrunning clutch);
- Solenoid (traction) relay.
The device case is closed by two covers. In the design of the electric motor, he is assigned the role of a stator. Inside it is a four-pole anchor (shaft with windings), rotating around its horizontal axis. The shaft is held by two thrust bearings located in the motor housing.
Bendix, or freewheel, is a mechanism that engages the gear of the armature with the crown of the flywheel of the crankshaft. It is located in front of the rotor.
Where is the starter relay located on the VAZ-2114 ? It is located right on it. From above. In fact, this is not an ordinary device, in our opinion, that closes contacts. It performs two functions at once. Closes the contacts of the armature winding, and also drives the bendix with gear.
Retractor Design
Starter solenoid relay consists of:
- steel case;
- hard rubber cover;
- Anchors
- retracting and holding windings;
- stem with spring and contact disk.
Operating principle
With the ignition off, the anchor, thanks to the spring, is in the extended position. The bendix gear, however, is not engaged with the flywheel crown. When we turn the ignition key to the second position, voltage is applied to the relay contacts. The magnetic field generated by the retracting coil drives the armature. He moves back, compressing the spring, and closes the contacts through which voltage is supplied to the starter. The retracting winding at this moment is turned off, and the retention coil is turned on.
During movement, the anchor moves the fork along the rotor shaft. She, in turn, moves the bendix, gearing into gear with the flywheel. When we release the ignition key, the voltage to the holding coil ceases to flow, and the anchor returns to its original position under the influence of a spring. The fork, at the same time, disconnects the gear of the bendix and the crown of the flywheel.
Solenoid Relay Symptoms
A malfunction of the traction relay can be determined by the following symptoms:
- when the ignition is turned on, there is no characteristic click that accompanies the movement of the device armature to its extreme rear position (the starter does not turn, the engine does not start );
- a click sounds, but the launcher does not work;
- the relay is activated, the starter starts the engine, but does not turn off.
If you turn on the ignition and find that the engine will not start, and at the same time there is one of the listed signs of a malfunction of the starting device, try to find the problem yourself. In some cases, the breakdown may be on the surface, and it takes only a few minutes to fix it.
No click of the solenoid relay
The absence of a click may indicate that either voltage is not applied to it, or problems with the retracting winding. First of all, we check the wiring. To do this, visually examine the positive wire going to the relay from the battery, and then a thin conductor from the ignition switch. If possible, check the voltage with a voltmeter (multimeter) by attaching its positive probe to the output on the relay, the wire from which goes to the battery, and the negative to ground. The device should indicate battery voltage. If this figure is lower, you need to look for a problem in the wiring.
If voltage is supplied to the relay, try to start the engine directly, without an ignition switch. To do this, disconnect the wire coming from it, and use a screwdriver to close the relay contacts (terminal to the battery and terminal to the starter). It worked? Deal with the contact group of the ignition switch.
There is a click, but the starter does not twist
If, when you turn on the ignition, you can clearly hear the click of a relay, the problem is most likely in the starter itself. The brushes may have worn out, or a break in one of the windings has occurred. In any case, further diagnosis without dismantling the device is not possible. If a winding break is detected, the starting device can be tried to be restored by entrusting it to winding specialists. If things are generally bad with him, it is better to buy a new starter 2114. The price for it varies between 3700-5000 rubles.
The relay works, the starter starts the engine, but does not turn off
In this case, the problem should be sought either in the relay windings, or in its mechanics. An accurate diagnosis of the device is possible only after its dismantling. Most often, the cause of such a malfunction is a spring, which, due to its "fatigue", is not able to push the anchor to the front position.
How to replace the VAZ-2114 starter solenoid relay
Now let's move on to the process of dismantling and replacing the traction relay “fourteenth”. Immediately indicate that for this it is better to remove the starter assembly. So it will be possible to simultaneously check the condition of its brush assembly and bearings. So, the process of replacing the relay is as follows:
- Remove the negative terminal from the battery.
- We disconnect the wires from the terminals of the relay and from the output of the starter brush assembly.
- We unscrew the bolts securing the starter to the clutch housing. We take it from the seat.
- We turn off coupling bolts of fastening of the relay.
- We disconnect the relay from the starter, install a new one in its place.
- Installation is carried out in the reverse order.
Other relay
We figured out where the starter relay is located on the VAZ-2114 and how to replace it. But in the engine start system there is another detail with the same name. Yes, yes, it’s also called a “starter relay.” Only extra. And his function is completely different. An additional starter relay is used to ensure the safety of the entire starting mechanism. Without it, the brushes and windings of the anchor would burn almost at every launch.
You ask again, where is the starter relay located on the VAZ-2114 ? On the first models of the “fourteenth”, it was located in the engine compartment above the partition separating the engine compartment and interior. On the new VAZ-2114 it is not there. And some “specialists” with foam at the mouth prove that it is not provided for on the Samara-2 family cars.
In fact, there is an additional relay, only it is located under the steering column. It is enough to remove the lower part of the plastic casing, and you will immediately see it. This is a standard four-pin relay marked 98.3777-10, protecting the starter circuit. If you have problems starting the power unit, do not be too lazy to check it.