Whats wrong when you have to strike the starter relay to start?

[WH23G3G]

On my 65 Valiant 170 I have to strike the two terminals with a screwdriver to get it to turn over. I was trying to get it started today after I repaired all the leaks on the engine over the course of a year. It sits outside too. It's got a new wiring harness from Year One for the engine/forward lights. All the electrical wear items were replaced on the firewall along with a reman starter. The battery was too weak from sitting to get it to crank up and run so I pulled it and have it charging tonight. I remember when I went to originally look at my 73 Charger when I was buying it the guy had to start it using the relay. What does that mean? Does that mean the relay is bad or the ignition switch? I put in a new cylinder but thought the switch should still be good. I also replaced the starter relay on the firewall. Hopefully I can get this one started and running again so I can fix it up real quick and mess around in it while I totally finish my Charger. This one was given to me for free.

[maxwellwedge]

Check the yellow wire on the relay. It should have juice when the key is in crank position.

[Chryco Psycho]

probably bad contacts inside the relay assuming you get power down the yellow wire

[nvrbdn]

 

[John_Kunkel]

If it's an automatic car it could also be the NSS or the shift cable adjustment. Find the "G" terminal on the starter relay and run a jumper wire from it to a good ground...if the starter turns with the key the NSS circuit is the problem.