DME Relay acting up....

[drl911]

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

[Flat6pac]

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

[DRACO A5OG]

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.

[dhagood]

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

[Joe Bob]

Cheap insurance.

[MikeD930]

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.