I have had a starter problem with my elderly Ford Ranger for a couple of months. I took it to the local garage and they had no idea. So, yesterday I took it to the Ford dealer and they concluded that the component (the mechanic referred to it as a relay) arrowed in the picture needed replacing but would have to be ordered.

I was quoted 5,200 Bht, which seems a lot. Any idea what the correct name for this part is so that I can check the price online or with another dealer?

it is a relay, but ,whether it related to your problem ,im not sure .what exactly was the starting ploblem ?

Sounds a lot for a relay....Should be a part number on it, do a search with it.

Thanks for your replies.

Basically the engine wouldn’t start. The guy from the local garage used a jump lead from the battery to  the cable above the glow plugs. I use the same method for a few weeks. And it would start immediately. The glow plugs are relatively new incidentally.

You've answered your own question yes it will be the starter relay. 

If sourced from auto electrical outlets other than Ford would be cheaper.

The part number is not easy to read and every time I search for glow relay, I get prices for glow plugs.

ok .  you can do without this relay if you dont think spending that much money on an old vehicle is worth it .  just by-pass the relay and install a press button switch in the dash nears the key start . hold the button for 5 seconds then start engine . you will more than likley find its a genuine part only , no cheap after market parts for it . hence the high cost .

 

If you want to check prices at an auto parts store this pic may help as it seems to be the required part and shows part numbers.

 

 

Many thanks to all of you who contributed to this. I’m very glad to say the situation is resolved with a more than satisfactory outcome.

Encouraged by what I read on here from forum members. I got the car started and went on a tour of the local auto spares shops. Thanks to the Ford engineer’s diagnosis, I knew exactly which part I wanted.

The 2^nd place I visited checked out the wiring, ran tests across various points and eventually concluded that I needed a new glow relay.

“How much?” I said. “500 Bht,” he said.

“Is this a normal/generic part?” I said.

“ Yes,” he said. He fitted it in a couple of minutes with a charge of 100 Bht.

I omitted to point out in my 1^st posting that not only did Ford want 5,260 for the part, they would also need to order it and I was going to have to wait until Tuesday afternoon to have it fitted!

The total bill would have been 6500 Bht.

So I saved 6000 Bht and have learned a lesson.

I should add that I would never dream of going to a main agent for this sort of job in my home country because I know they would be too expensive. I would just ask friends to recommend a decent mechanic. This is more difficult to do in Thailand since Thais usually send you to the nearest shop without any idea as to their expertise or competence.

Thanks again for all your replies.

1 minute ago, mrjohn said:

 

 

Many thanks to all of you who contributed to this. I’m very glad to say the situation is resolved with a more than satisfactory outcome.

 

Encouraged by what I read on here from forum members. I got the car started and went on a tour of the local auto spares shops. Thanks to the Ford engineer’s diagnosis, I knew exactly which part I wanted.

 

The 2^nd place I visited checked out the wiring, ran tests across various points and eventually concluded that I needed a new glow relay.

 

“How much?” I said. “500 Bht,” he said.

 

“Is this a normal/generic part?” I said.

 

“ Yes,” he said. He fitted it in a couple of minutes with a charge of 100 Bht.

 

I omitted to point out in my 1^st posting that not only did Ford want 5,260 for the part, they would also need to order it and I was going to have to wait until Tuesday afternoon to have it fitted!

 

The total bill would have been 6500 Bht.

 

So I saved 6000 Bht and have learned a lesson.

 

I should add that I would never dream of going to a main agent for this sort of job in my home country because I know they would be too expensive. I would just ask friends to recommend a decent mechanic. This is more difficult to do in Thailand since Thais usually send you to the nearest shop without any idea as to their expertise or competence.

 

Thanks again for all your replies.

 

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