How Do I Test a Relay?
06-01-2003, 08:19 AM
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How Do I Test a Relay?
One of the relays on my HIDs is stuck. Everything works fine when the vehicle is on, but when I turn the car off, the driver's side lamp stays lit. I swapped the driver's side and passenger side relays, and sure enough now the passenger side lamp won't go out. The only way I have to shut them off is to disconnect the ground at the battery. The relay has no diagram on the side that would show pins, normally open, normally closed, etc It's just a little black box with a wiring harness plugged into the bottom. Is there any way to test this thing to find out some info about it so that I can go to Advance Auto Parts, Autozone, etc and get a replacement relay? Thanks guys. Later.
Matt
Matt
06-01-2003, 08:25 AM
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Hey Matt,
Does it look like this? If so, its just a standard 30 amp automotive relay. There won't be anything to test, just pick up another one.
Sorry that pic doesn't show the prongs, but I have a feeling its the same thing.
Does it look like this? If so, its just a standard 30 amp automotive relay. There won't be anything to test, just pick up another one.
Sorry that pic doesn't show the prongs, but I have a feeling its the same thing.
06-01-2003, 08:41 AM
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Well, not really. Mine looks to be a little smaller and there is a standard plastic wiring harness that plugs into the bottom. Autozone has a relay (made by Pilot) that looks similar to the one on my HIDs so I am going to pick one of them up and see if it will work. Is there any danger of burning up a ballast or lamp by using the wrong relay? I'll have to call SPW tomorrow and find out what the deal is with this thing. I know the Pilot relay at Autozone has a pin diagram on the side. I was just hoping there was a way to test the pins on this broken one so that I can find a replacement locally and not have to order one from SPW.
Matt
Matt
06-01-2003, 08:48 AM
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Hmm, well I can't help you there then. I was thinking that your wiring harness would just pop on to the bottom of the relay in that pic, but it sounds like you have something different.
I would think the only way you could burn something up is if you used a higher-rated relay than what you already have. But HID's are expensive, so I'm sure you're right in just going in and comparing the Pilot relay to what you have. If its the same pin setup and amp rating, you should be good to go.
I would think the only way you could burn something up is if you used a higher-rated relay than what you already have. But HID's are expensive, so I'm sure you're right in just going in and comparing the Pilot relay to what you have. If its the same pin setup and amp rating, you should be good to go.
Last edited by TDiddy; 06-01-2003 at 08:49 AM.
06-01-2003, 01:26 PM
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Mertzer,
It worked!! Picked up a 12V 30A Pilot relay at Advance Auto Parts earlier this afternoon and much to my surprise, it fit the harness perfectly. I hooked the battery ground up (this was the only way I could get the light to go out) turned the truck on and the HIDs worked perfectly. Turned the truck off and they went off. Pretty awesome since I originally thought I was going to have to drop $150-$200 on a new ballast. Thanks for your help.
Matt
It worked!! Picked up a 12V 30A Pilot relay at Advance Auto Parts earlier this afternoon and much to my surprise, it fit the harness perfectly. I hooked the battery ground up (this was the only way I could get the light to go out) turned the truck on and the HIDs worked perfectly. Turned the truck off and they went off. Pretty awesome since I originally thought I was going to have to drop $150-$200 on a new ballast. Thanks for your help.
Matt
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