Red/Black relay

[JINKATIN]

I'm sorry but here is another stupid question you can ad to the list.



I have seen posted pictures of people having more than one round red relay on their fuse box. Can you use a red relay in place of a black one and/or vise versa? I thought the red relay was only for the fuel pump. I'm sorry but can someone clarify this form me.

Thank you,


jinkatin
86 Carrera

[Barrpete]

According to Warren Hall (Early_S_Man):
"No need to carry both red and black spare relays ... a red relay can replace either black or red relays." "The red relays have a noise suppression diode across the coil." http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showt...hreadid=327224

[KFC911]

I'm not 100% certain, but I don't think your car has a round fuel pump relay (mine doesn't) as it's contained within the DME relay under the driver's seat. Here's a thread that documents the round relays (at least for my '88):

Looking for Gremlins in a Carrera....

[Barrpete]

That's correct, the red relay is not for the fuel pump on a Carrera. That's handled by the DME relay under the drivers seat. There is a red relay on the fuse panel on my '86 but offhand I don't recall what its for.

[porschenut]

Originally Posted by Barrpete

According to Warren Hall (Early_S_Man):
"No need to carry both red and black spare relays ... a red relay can replace either black or red relays."

But a black'n can't replace a red'n, right?

[donporfi]

I think that for a short period of time a black relay can replace a red relay. If you are stranded because of a red relay failure and you only have a spare black relay I think there is no problem to use it.
The diode in the red relay is used to avoid electrical arching between the relay contacts when disconnecting an inductive load (like in a motor, fan, pump etc.).

[JINKATIN]

So does my car need any red round relays or can I just have them all black or all red?


Thanks,

jinkatin
86 Carrera

[DRACO A5OG]

Originally Posted by JINKATIN

So does my car need any red round relays or can I just have them all black or all red?


Thanks,

jinkatin
86 Carrera

If you do not ues your radio go black

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by porschenut

But a black'n can't replace a red'n, right?

Actually, my car has at least 35,000 miles (and perhaps many, many, more - the tub has over 250,000 on it) with a black relay fitted to the fuel pump position. It's definately supposed to be red with the internal diode, according to everything I've seen.

I bought a spare from the Stealer the week I bought the car, and he gave me another black one. Said he didn't have any red ones in stock. It's still in the glove box more than two years later.

As others have said, DME cars don't use a relay on the fuseboard for the fuel pump, the DME relay handles it. Which is why you need a spare one of those in your glove box...