If adding a relay is analogous to "putting a bucket under a leaky tap", what then is the analogue of "repairing the tap"?
And how is that good an analogy, when the bucket requires repeated, presumably reasonably frequent, action to empty it? Whereas, a relay shouldn't need changing very often; especially, if you use Steve's Victorian engineering solution of bigger is better.
In addition to the relays in the main and dips, I've a relay operating the washer pump. That's because, between the crappy push button on the stalk and the resistance in the ignition switch, it was distinctly iffy in operation. And it was just so much easier and cheaper to add a relay than replace the stalk and ignition switches.
So, given that the problem I have with the normal ignition switch contacts spread to those that operate the starter, I wouldn't hesitate to add a relay for that as well. I might even look for one with a manual option, like on the Herald, that lets me start/restart the car from the engine bay.
Graham
