My 2000 S70 (base model) has recently REALLY started acting up. I'm not too surprised, as I've just hit 208k miles. The car has started to shift into second, and stay there until I reboot. I diagnosed it, plus the flashing arrow in the dash, speedometer/tripmeter/odometer shutting off, and CEL as an ABS problem.

I took the ABS out, and shipped it to Victor Rocha in CA for repair. As I was removing the ABS fuses, I noticed that the spot for the starter relay is empty. I haven't opened the high amperage fuse compartment for a long time, but I remember looking at it about 3 years ago and noticing the same thing. Is it normal for the car to have no starter relay? Could this explain why it's hard to start sometimes?

I realize this may be a dumb question, but as I've found with other issues involving my car, things aren't always as they seem. The relay is just $40 at RockAuto, so I'm ready to just buy it, but I'd like some feedback first. It obviously hasn't had one for years, but my car does need a starter relay, right?

 

I spoke with my mechanic, and he said it's odd that the relay has been gone for so long while the car still starts, but he recommended getting a starter relay asap, anyway. I ordered it, and I'll install it in a few days when it arrives.