DME Relay acting up....
 

Over the last few weeks the '86 Carrera has refused to start on 3 occassions, but then finally does start after a few minutes of trying. Tonight it refused to start at all, fortunately it was in the home garage. The fuel pump fuse was good, but I was not getting 12v at the fuel pump. Then I discovered I was not getting 12v to the input side of the fuse at the fuse panel. I removed the DME relay and smacked it around in my hand a few times, re-installed it and the car started right up. I suppose "no brainer", but does the relay gradually fail like this? Either way I am getting a new one tomorrow!

Thanks,
Dan

I had a problem that the pump would stop on a bump and got so it would not work at all. I opened the back of the connector for the relay and found the small black wire wasnt making good contact with the relay and was loose. I could fool with it when it was running but the small black wire needed to becompressed slightly so the contact would stay good.
Bruce

Yeap, the solder joints are probably cracked in the relay.

I would get two relay, one on stand by just incase you are out on the road.

wut draco said, as having a spare DME relay is generally considered standard practice.

Cheap insurance.

In addition to repairing cracked or broken solder joints I suggest to clean the pair of contacts within the DME. You never know if dirty contacts could contribute to the problem.