Anyone heard of a boost relay to start the car?

[irhino2]

I have a 91 stealth, single overhead cam N/A

I tried to start my car the other day, but it would only crank. It didn't sound like it was trying to fire at all. There was power going to the coil, but now there is not. There is power running all under the hood, but it all dies when turning the ignition switch.

I've only had the car a couple months. I had issues with the aftermarket alarm right after I purchased it. I ripped out the alarm, and finally got it to start. The starter wouldn't engage when I turned the ignition. So, I wired in a push button. This worked fine until the other day. Although, I had to push the button and turn the ignition into the start position. My mechanic went through all the wiring on it today. He is getting power everywhere until we try to start the car. We looked at the wiring diagram, but what we have doesn't go deep enough. Everyone we have talked to, that has a clue, has told us there is a "boost" relay in the circuit after the starter relay. This is supposed to "boost" the entire system to start the car. Then, the computer takes over.

Does anyone have a clue where this is or what they are talking about???

I'm worried I really fried something by starting this by jumping the starter relay. I didn't even think to pull out the bypass wire when I pulled out the alarm.

PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!

[Igovert500]

I've never heard of it...but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. You may want to register on www.3si.org/forum and ask over there too. (it's free, just don't use a web-based email address, such as yahoo or hotmail)
That is really an odd problem that you had it working for so long, and then it just ceased to function. Electrical issues on our cars can be an absolute PITA, even with wiring diagrams.

Other than asking on 3si, my only other suggest would be maybe to take it to an alarm installer that you trust, and have them look over it. Aftermarket alarms can be extremely complex (right Slade ) and perhaps some system of the alarm is still functioning in some aspect???

[sLADe781]

LOL Most definitely!!!

[AutostradaVR4]

sounds like it misht be an ignition problem. Similar thing was happening with my dads ford truck. I know they are completely different vehicles, but the symptoms you describe are identical to the problems he was having. Turned out to be the ignition. Just a though for you.

I dont know if theres any way to test it, but hey, its an idea.

[irhino2]

Yeah, I've wondered about the ignition myself. The aftermarket alarm is no longer in the car. I ripped it out after I got the car. It gave me problems within the first week of ownership. I traced all the wiring back to factory wires and pulled all the wiring for the alarm out.
I already signed up at 3SI, but I've only had 1 person respond so far. I ended up having it towed to an import specialist yesterday. They are trying to track down the problem for me. The other person I had look at it had no idea what to look for. He is a domestic mechanic, and he was treating it like your typical Chevy, Ford, Dodge, etc. He didn't have a clue. Hopefully, the new guys can help.

I'm still open to suggestions though. They spent all day yesterday on it and couldn't figure it out yet.