Well after 2 trips to shops to replace the contacts, then fix the replacement (thats another story), my 78 corolla wouldn't start 4 times this week. Usual click-click-click at starter. Usual things, cables, contacts area good. I even installed new battery cabling, both + and -.
Before I buy a new starter and potentially waste another $200, I see that some folks have hooked up a relay to take some load off the aging electrical system. I can't really get under the exhaust manifold to the starter to try the voltage drop test, (even if I really knew what I was doing there.) The relay seems simple enough,... put the relay between the old signal wire, then run a heavier wire to the starter selenoid from the relay. Has anyone done this? I would imagine you would want to intercept/clip the ingition wire close to the firewall somewhere to reduce its run. I was also think ignition switch but they are not available at Toyota here, and list for $150. I could clean up the contacts too.
Any other pointers? TIA