Testing the DME relay
 

Howdy Pelicans,

I was rummaging through my boxes of spare parts and found a DME relay. I would hope that the PO wouldn't have kept a faulty part after replacing it but I have my doubts of course.

Could anyone walk me through "bench testing" the relay. I'd like to do that before testing it in the car.

Thanks,

Alex

Why? Plug it into the DME, if it clicks prior to start it works. If it doesn't click it's bad.....

Hmm, it's under the seat right? Do I have to take the seat off?

Don't know. My ride is a conversion and I set it up for easy DME relay replacement. Might be a good idea to check NOW, so that when it ever does go, you know what to do on the road....better than sitting on the side of the road and going WTF?

There is a You Tube video where a guy bench tests and repairs a DME relay. It might be a 944 relay, but they are the same unit inside.

It should be.

As per JB advise, take the one presently fitted out and put the other one in.

If the car start, its good and keep the other one as a spare in your glove box.

I can replace mine in my 1985 without removing the seat.

BTW, it it is marked URO.....replace it. They are junk.

Ha! I made the mistake of buying URO once. Never again...

Thanks guys, I'll give that a shot.

Alex

I would buy a Lucas product before anything made by URO. Good call.

I have two spare relays and tested them prior to putting them in my "on the road bag" in my seat delete storage stash. I've had them for years.....cross fingers, knock on wood. I check that bag once a year to see if I have what I need. My 3.6 has been a good friend. It's been around longer than my GFs and/or marriage....

I "hear" the new solid state ones sold on eBay are the bomb. But they are a recent addition and I already have the spares.

Focus 9 Technology, LLC
^^^ Installed one from them and kept my others as spares.

Keep in mind, however, that if the DME relay has issues with soldier joints, your car may start fine, but develop "gremlins" at seemingly random times. My failing DME would occasionally refuse to restart my car when turned off for a short timeperiod (e.g. when I picked up a take-out pizza) but after cooling down (or tapping on the relay) would start right up.

Rather easy to see the soldier joint issues if you remove the relay cap and take close-up photos with your phone (you can zoom way in on hte soldier joints).

I installed the Focus9 SS pump prime DME relay and highly recommend it. It's
really reassuring to hear the fuel pump run for 3 seconds when you turn on the key,
and knowing your fuel lines are pressure primed.