Starter Relay Failure (No-Crank / No-Start)

Symptoms

• Engine does not crank when the key is turned to the start position, even with a fully charged battery (12.7 V measured) [2].
• Relay clicking can be heard under the seat while holding the key in the start position, but the starter does not engage [2].
• Intermittent no-crank condition — the van may start occasionally after fiddling with the ignition switch or other inputs, then refuse to start again [2].
• Starter can be engaged manually via jumper wires directly, but will not activate through the normal ignition circuit [1].
• No 'start error' warning message appears in the dash display during the no-crank event [2, 3].

Causes

• A faulty or worn 70-amp starter relay in the driver's seat fuse panel fails to pass the start signal to the starter motor [2].
• A faulty ignition switch that does not correctly send the start request signal to the ECU or relay [1].
• An immobilizer (SKREEM) module fault that prevents the ECU from requesting starter engagement [1, 2].
• ECU lock-up or loss of communication, preventing the start signal from being issued even when all voltages and fuses check out correctly [1].

Diagnosis

• Locate the grey 70-amp starter relay in the vertical fuse panel on the left side of the driver's seat and listen for clicking while a helper holds the key in the start position [2].
• Check all fuse panel voltages and verify no fuses are blown before condemning the relay [1].
• Attempt to engage the starter by bridging the relay terminals directly with a jumper wire — if the starter cranks, the relay circuit or its trigger signal is at fault [1].
• Try swapping the starter relay with a known-good unit of the same rating as a quick, low-cost test [0].
• If relay swap does not resolve the issue, check the ignition switch for correct output in positions 0, 1, and 2 and confirm the steering column lock is releasing properly [2].
• If voltages, fuses, relay, and ignition switch all check out, use a diagnostic scan tool (such as STAR or Autel) to check for ECU or immobilizer (SKREEM) fault codes before replacing parts [1].

Repair

Replacing or swapping the starter relay is a straightforward first step that costs very little and requires no special tools. If the relay swap does not fix the problem, diagnosis must continue up the chain through the ignition switch and immobilizer/SKREEM system before any further parts are replaced. Because the SKREEM and ECU require dealer-level or specialist programming when replaced, owners should exhaust the simpler checks first.

Parts

Plain part names — affiliate links and pricing are coming in a later update.

• 70-amp grey starter relay (matches the unit in the driver's seat vertical fuse panel) [2]

Related forum threads

• 19 ↳HELP REQUIRED STARTER RELAY NOT REQUESTED BY ECU
• 19 ↳Starter won't crank AT,SKREEM?,no start/error display
• 18 ↳Key turns but no start
• 18 ↳What a bugger - NO CRANK
• 18 ↳Intermittent Click No Start Issues

Sources