Main relay ? Ground ? something else ?

MotionMotion New Wagonist
in Engine & Drivetrain
For a while my car was giving symptoms of the main relay going out, was having trouble starting when warm.. Last night she stalled on me, and the when i tryed to turn the key to restart it , nothing happened.. Was like it lost power to the starter. But the lights, and radio were still working fine at the time. Also lately ive been noticing my headlights seem to get dimmer every once in a while, and today my head unit seemed to be kicking out on occasion.. Im baffeled, anyone heard of anything like this before ? I havent checked the ground or relay yet.. Wont have time till the weekend.. just wondering if anyone knows if a relay could cause all that or if i should be looking elsewhere ? Thanks for any help

Comments

  • JakerJaker familEE
    I say grounds.
  • B18C5-EH2B18C5-EH2 Moderator
    I've never seen a main relay cause the engine to shut off. A bad main relay will simply not allow the engine to crank after it's already been shut off by you.

    I'd say have an alternator test done. It's very simple if you know someone with a battery load tester/alternator voltage tester or even a volt meter. It should be charging at about 14v, and make sure to check it with and without every possible accessory on such as high beams, rear defroster, stereo, a/c, etc. and see what it does.
  • 3rd4ce3rd4ce Council Member
    on my first cruise my new main relay past away......
    had just got the wagon running went down a back road about 45 mph and my engine died ..... drifted off the side and it would turn over but would not start.....

    so we started checking into it ...... had spark but brand new Walbro255 was not running had no juice ....
    needless to say we swapped back to the old main relay and the fuel pump kicked on and away we went ...
  • The_HeadThe_Head familEE
    It was brand new? Where did you get it?
  • 3rd4ce3rd4ce Council Member
    picked it up @ Auto Zone...
    got it replaced free.. and i have the new one n now and keeping my old one as a back up...
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  • MotionMotion New Wagonist
    well im thinking it is pry the alternator, today the radio was kicking in and out, the dash lights were flashing with the turn signal, and the whippers were changing speed with the speed of the engine.. I couldent see where the ground wire goes to the block from the top.. Anyone know where that is located? Also if i have to do an alternator.. I dont have my haynes manual for the car at the moment.. Anything spechial that has to be done to get at the alternator. ?
  • MotionMotion New Wagonist
    Went to auto zone and they tested the alternator, they said it seems to be charging fine. Back to the drawing board.
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