the oddest part, relay in center of console.

[Apothus]

As some of you may recognise i am part way through installing a new engine in my FTO. Today was the big day, the new engine is in, everything is connected, the bolts are tight and the battery is charged. Got in to start the engine up for the first time only to be greated by this god awful buzing noise from the behind the dash, just behind the stereo. A small bronze coloured box.

From what we can tell this houses two primary relays, when i go to turn the starter motor over one of them just makes this clattering noise. The one way to stop it is to slowly turn the starter motor on but still nothing happens. Can anyone shed some light on what this part may be and what problems it may highlight.

[aza013]

Is it a auto box and or has it got air bags?

[Apothus]

neither, its a 95 gpx, manual gearbox, no abs, no airbags.

[Apothus]

I have checked the starter motor this morning and it is working fine. Just keep hunting for things.

[I8A4RE]

SO does the engine turn over and start?

[Apothus]

It does now.

Turns out my skills in checking starter motors were not as good as i had first thought. after sitting dormant for a while the solenoid for the startermotor had gotten stuck, a whack with the nylon and it started up beutifully. If you consider beutiful to be streams of white smoke i suppose

It is running clean now, just a small idle problem. It is sitting at 2500 rpm, then it dips to 2000 really quickly almost sounding like it is loosing power before it picks itself back up to 2500. Any idea what could cause this?

[I8A4RE]

Check error codes. Could be stepper, spark plugs, leads, fuel filter, injectors, etc etc etc etc need more info.

I would keep an eye on it maybe just a litte bit of sh*t in the system.DO you know how long the engine had been sitting there etc etc

[Apothus]

Im leaning towards the stepper, primarily because that has not been replaced and got filled with water and bits of paper air filter. I may try lushing it out with WD40 see if that clears it up a little. Leads and plugs should be ok. Not sure how long the engine was sitting there, "apparently" they started it up before they removed it from the front cut but you can never be sure. My guess would be a few months plus shipping time etc from japan.

[I8A4RE]

Check error codes as well

[payaya]

It does now.

Turns out my skills in checking starter motors were not as good as i had first thought. after sitting dormant for a while the solenoid for the startermotor had gotten stuck, a whack with the nylon and it started up beutifully. If you consider beutiful to be streams of white smoke i suppose

It is running clean now, just a small idle problem. It is sitting at 2500 rpm, then it dips to 2000 really quickly almost sounding like it is loosing power before it picks itself back up to 2500. Any idea what could cause this?

Sure your throttle cable is not too tight? Did you try lowering the idle via the screw on the TB?

[vipfto]

I would say that those relays are part of a immobiliser system for the starter motor

and yes check error codes also can be TPS sensor not set correct or stepper is shot