Triumph T160 starter relay question.

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I have a Triumph T160 which has had a "Dave Madigan starter motor" on it for about the last 7 or so years and has worked perfectly until a few weeks ago.

What happened was, I was starting the engine using the starter, and after the starter had started the engine the starter remain engaged.
I know this because there was an unusual noise and so I turned the ignition off and the starter motor continued chugging away until it had flattened the battery.

This happened again, and after thinking about it, I came to the conclusion that the solenoid was welding its contacts, and so I tracked down a brand new starter solenoid and bought it and fitted it.

After using the starter a few times thinking that I had sorted the problem, much to my surprise it happened again although I had the correct tool at hand the disconnect the neg power lead to the solenoid within 20 seconds or so.

So my question is, am I correct in thinking that if the starter relay contacts that connect when activating the relay "weld " themselves together ( or fail to re-open) this would leave the starter motor connected and turning even when the power that activates them is removed i.e. turning the ignition off?
 
So my question is, am I correct in thinking that if the starter relay contacts that connect when activating the relay "weld " themselves together ( or fail to re-open) this would leave the starter motor connected and turning even when the power that activates them is removed i.e. turning the ignition off?

Yes, with the relay contacts remaining closed for whatever reason then the starter motor continues to be powered directly from the battery so switching the ignition off won't stop the starter from turning.

If it happens again while you have the battery side panel removed then disconnecting the wire terminal from either the relay C1 or C2 tabs should stop it.
 
Thanks for confirming that L.A.B. It all makes sense now and it looks like I need to change the relay then.

I have a Bosch 0 332 209 150 relay that will do the same job apparently. Energizing the coil on this relay is done through terminals 85 and 86. Would you know if they are polarity sensitive?
I have had it working a couple of hours ago using terminal 86 as the trigger (from starter switch) and terminal 85 for earth and it worked perfectly.
 
I have a Bosch 0 332 209 150 relay that will do the same job apparently. Energizing the coil on this relay is done through terminals 85 and 86. Would you know if they are polarity sensitive?
I have had it working a couple of hours ago using terminal 86 as the trigger (from starter switch) and terminal 85 for earth and it worked perfectly.

That particular relay shouldn't be polarity sensitive although it's not the exact equivalent (that would be the dual output type with 87 and 87B terminals) but if your T160 has electronic ignition then the original relay C4 (either 87 or 87B) terminal isn't required (so a normal 4-pin relay can be used) and the 'C4' wire should be disconnected, however, the 87A terminal of that relay will be 'live' when the relay is at 'OFF'.

Triumph T160 starter relay question.
 
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