Strange electrical/relay issue
Oct 3, 2014 | 07:16 AM
#1
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Strange electrical/relay issue
Hi guys. First post. 20 year owner of a 1981 SR5 longbed gas/5speed.
Starting Tuesday morning, I started noticing one of my relays under the passenger side dash started tripping on and off very randomly. When this occurs, the radio shuts off briefly, and the tach and volt meter needles jump. (tach goes up, volts goes down). It is a very random occurrence. It could happen 3x in 10 seconds, or it could go 15 minutes before happening.
What I do notice, is that this occurs mostly with the radio on. Turn the radio off, it may do it a couple more times, and then ceases almost completely. It will still do it with the radio off - albeit far less often.
It also seems to be exacerbated by having the headlights on. Does it mostly on my way to work in the mornings - afternoons with the headlights off - not so much. This does not affect the ignition at all. Truck still runs smooth.
Alternator is charging properly according to the gauge.
The relay (which I have yet to track down) has the same timbre and general location of my turn signal relay, but I don't see my turn signals light up at all when this occurs.
Only thing I can think is that the alternator may be having a 'senior moment', as this is the 3rd AutoZone alternator I have put on the truck in the past 4 years due to one problem or another.
Anybody experience this? I have to think this is my own 'special' problem....
I am really having a hard time understanding why, all of the sudden, on Tuesday morning it decided it wanted to start this crap.
Starting Tuesday morning, I started noticing one of my relays under the passenger side dash started tripping on and off very randomly. When this occurs, the radio shuts off briefly, and the tach and volt meter needles jump. (tach goes up, volts goes down). It is a very random occurrence. It could happen 3x in 10 seconds, or it could go 15 minutes before happening.
What I do notice, is that this occurs mostly with the radio on. Turn the radio off, it may do it a couple more times, and then ceases almost completely. It will still do it with the radio off - albeit far less often.
It also seems to be exacerbated by having the headlights on. Does it mostly on my way to work in the mornings - afternoons with the headlights off - not so much. This does not affect the ignition at all. Truck still runs smooth.
Alternator is charging properly according to the gauge.
The relay (which I have yet to track down) has the same timbre and general location of my turn signal relay, but I don't see my turn signals light up at all when this occurs.
Only thing I can think is that the alternator may be having a 'senior moment', as this is the 3rd AutoZone alternator I have put on the truck in the past 4 years due to one problem or another.
Anybody experience this? I have to think this is my own 'special' problem....
I am really having a hard time understanding why, all of the sudden, on Tuesday morning it decided it wanted to start this crap.
Oct 3, 2014 | 12:58 PM
#2
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From: I live in New Tripoli Pa out in the woods
Wow 81 trucks had a Turn signal relay??
It is your own special problem!!
Get any more then normal rain where you are ??
Maybe you just notice it more when the radio quits.
Check the power source for the radio as well as the ground
Check the ground for the gauge cluster .
Some place they are all common start looking there .
Could be as simple as a loose ground.
It is mechanical things wear things break most often at the worst time and place.
It is your own special problem!!
Get any more then normal rain where you are ??
Maybe you just notice it more when the radio quits.
Check the power source for the radio as well as the ground
Check the ground for the gauge cluster .
Some place they are all common start looking there .
Could be as simple as a loose ground.
It is mechanical things wear things break most often at the worst time and place.
Oct 8, 2014 | 03:26 AM
#4
On my 86, I have had a weak battery to cause a relay to go to clicking. Check battery connections, make sure battery is good with 14 volts while idling using a volt meter, or maybe it is your alternator getting weak is only thing I could suggest.
Last edited by Terrys87; Oct 8, 2014 at 03:28 AM.
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