Today I installed a Ford starter relay( Stock F492 Starter Relay Autozone $12.00) I opened the straight connector terminal that the red wire fed the starter directly from the ignition switch. This is located a few inches from the starter. I ran a red 12 ga wire from the ignition switch side of this red wire to the S terminal on the relay ( the relay is grounded via its base that I attached to a ground post located just above the emission canister. I ran a yellow 10 ga wire directly from the plus 12v terminal of the alternator to one side of the relay ( always live and easy to get at). I then spliced a red 10 ga wire from the starter (other side of the removed terminal) direct to the other side of the relay. I found it easier to simply splice into this wire rather than remove what was left and connect to the starter post as it is a bugger on a Fi car to get at. Note!!! Do not use the i terminal it is the slightly larger S terminal that triggers the relay.....
So when I turn the key, the ignition switch only powers the low current relay coil that then closes the relay enabling high current through the relay contacts and not the ignition switch as before. This will remove false starts and also save the ignition switch from burning out. Another aspect of this is if the relay fails you can jumper across the relay terminals with the ignition switch in the on position to get the starter motor turning.
Another feature for Fi owners is that we now have a direct connection to the battery plus voltage to connect our timing lights and for voltage testing from the alternator. It was always a pain in the ass to connect a timing light with the battery in the trunk. NOTE!! I suggest adding insulator boots over the live relay contact terminals so as not to zap yourself by accident or damage the electricals.
I also installed a battery ground quick disconnect terminal to the battery ground post. This will save the frustration of having to keep using wrenches whenever I need to work on the electrical system when needing the battery disconnected. Along with this stuff I also replaced all the two pin connectors which where brittle through age.
I hope this helps someone.....
