Blowing relays
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 349
Likes: 1
From: Columbus OH
Blowing relays
I have a 2000 convertible that is blowing random relays in the relay box that is located under the hood. It can be a fog light. A/C, horn, active handling, or fuel pump relay.
The previous owner of the car has drilled (using a hole saw) holes in the pieces that are around the fog lights.
I'm wondering if they may have nicked a wire while doing this?
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
The previous owner of the car has drilled (using a hole saw) holes in the pieces that are around the fog lights.
I'm wondering if they may have nicked a wire while doing this?
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 355
From: Rochester New York
There shouldn't be any wires near the fog lights that could have been damaged other than the fog light wires. Sounds like there is something going on in the fuse box, I would remove it and take a look underneath.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
PLEASE be more descriptive on the relay problem. I picture a relay smoldering and in pieces under the box when you say BLOWING RELAYS. 
Do they melt the plastic cover burn the contacts, burn the relay coils?????Relays go bad because of several reasons:
- Being supplied UNDER VOLTAGE to operate the coil
- Using the relay to power a load that draws TOO MUCH CURRENT
- Over heated fuse box
- Poor connection inside the fuse box. Relay Spades are loose/bent/corroded/overheated or burnt
- A shorted wire in one circuit will not or SHOULD NOT affect a relay in another circuit. The FUSE for the shortened wire should pop before the relay was being damaged.
If it were me, I would check the voltage that is being supplied to the control circuit of the relay and the voltage being supplied to the output of the relay and make sure that you’re not under voltage:
BC
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 349
Likes: 1
From: Columbus OH
The relays just quit working. I take the old one out, put a new one in and everything is good until the next one acts up. This problem started about three years ago when I bought the car. Found a mess of wires still attached at the foot well fuse box the ends of the wires were just cut off and buried under the seat. I removed all the wires and had no problem until last summer. The relays just stop working again.
Last edited by C5C6Sell; Jan 24, 2014 at 04:03 PM. Reason: added more information
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Take the bad ones apart and see what fails.... The Coil, the main contacts, etc.....
That will give you a better idea on how to proceed. You will need an OHM Meter and a DC Volt meter to do some testing.
BC
That will give you a better idea on how to proceed. You will need an OHM Meter and a DC Volt meter to do some testing.
BC
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
By your description of the wiring when you got the car, I take it these were wires spliced into the factory harness??? If yes, I would go back to where you removed them and look to see if any of the factory wiring when these wires were spliced-in has deteriorated and is just now causing your issue.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 349
Likes: 1
From: Columbus OH
By your description of the wiring when you got the car, I take it these were wires spliced into the factory harness??? If yes, I would go back to where you removed them and look to see if any of the factory wiring when these wires were spliced-in has deteriorated and is just now causing your issue.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 349
Likes: 1
From: Columbus OH
I'm confused on what to test. I'm good at most repairs except of coarse electrical. I think that is why this problem is getting to me so much.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 349
Likes: 1
From: Columbus OH
After reading about the problems with the ground points corroding, it got me wondering if this could be my problem? A bad ground causing low voltage.
Can anyone tell me if the A/C, fuel pump, horn, fog lights and the real time dampening are all grounded on the drivers side ground point?
I'm also having a hard time figuring out how to get into where the pins are that corrode. Any help on this will be greatly appreciated. Pictures would also be a great help on separating these connectors.
Can anyone tell me if the A/C, fuel pump, horn, fog lights and the real time dampening are all grounded on the drivers side ground point?
I'm also having a hard time figuring out how to get into where the pins are that corrode. Any help on this will be greatly appreciated. Pictures would also be a great help on separating these connectors.
Last edited by C5C6Sell; Mar 4, 2014 at 09:46 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
First of all you need to tell us what is failing in each relay and the exact relay numbers. If the coil is bad/open that can be determined without opening up the relay. We need to systematically investigate what is going on.
Grounds related to the above various relays are not the same. Some of the relay grounds go via the PCM, BCM, EBCM, G106, G105, and G401. Grounds are related to whether we are concerned about the coil or contacts.
Grounds related to the above various relays are not the same. Some of the relay grounds go via the PCM, BCM, EBCM, G106, G105, and G401. Grounds are related to whether we are concerned about the coil or contacts.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 349
Likes: 1
From: Columbus OH
First of all you need to tell us what is failing in each relay and the exact relay numbers. If the coil is bad/open that can be determined without opening up the relay. We need to systematically investigate what is going on.
Grounds related to the above various relays are not the same. Some of the relay grounds go via the PCM, BCM, EBCM, G106, G105, and G401. Grounds are related to whether we are concerned about the coil or contacts.
Grounds related to the above various relays are not the same. Some of the relay grounds go via the PCM, BCM, EBCM, G106, G105, and G401. Grounds are related to whether we are concerned about the coil or contacts.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
No problem. I think it would be easier for me to discuss and tell you how to inspect a relay rather than to try and write it all up. If you want to talk just PM me with your phone number.
In the interim, here is a video that should help you to understand. Please view it before we discuss if you can.
In the interim, here is a video that should help you to understand. Please view it before we discuss if you can.