[absorbentgnome]

A good test would be to see if the relay gets smoked with the ignition on but the engine not started. If not, then it would perhaps indicate a problem with the alternator (of course as long as the problem isn't perished or shorted wires)

[absorbentgnome]

I don't really know that much about cars in general, but it sounds similar to a problem I've had with my car.

When the alternator regulator (and/or diodes) blow, the alternator can generate a high voltage (i.e. over 13.8V) once the engine is running. This overvoltage will not only overcharge your battery casusing damage, it will also smoke any relay coil windings due to the excess current from the raised voltage. [This may explain the 5 mins to toast problem]

You could check this by turning on all the main lights (to keep the alternator voltage down) and starting the engine. Measure the voltage across the battery at idle and with ~3000 revs. If at any time it goes above 14 volts its the alternator thats f*cked. If not, try with the lights off also.

[74duster]

oh yah my email is [email protected]

[74duster]

I have a 74 Plymouth duster and my starter relay switch keeps going bad and when it dose Some of my wiring starts smoking. It goes bad fast the first one went bad after I got the car to my house after sitting for 13 years the second one I got from the junk yard and I got the car running for about 5 minuets it died and I tried to get it started and it blew and started smoking again so I disconnected the battery. the last one I got from the auto parts store an i hooked up the battery and turned it over and it blew now I'm stuck someone told me it could be the starter going bad and its drawing to many amps and someone told me it could be a short circuit any help would be appreciated. if you need to see a pic of how its wired send me an e mail and ill send you one and ill explain where its smoking and stuff like that