Amber Gramps

Is is possible that my DME relay works fine sometimes and other times it doesn't?

Sometimes I can jump in, tap the key, and she fires right up.

Other times I can crank and crank and crank and get nothing. Then turn the key off for a second, turn it back to start and she fires right up. Makes me think the relay is going out.

I've got a new relay in the door pocket just in case, but had it in my head that when they go bad they are gone for good.

I'm thinking it's time to swap it out. If that doesn't work I'm gonna get the timing light out and see if it has spark. If that is good my next guess is low fuel pressure.

What do you think?

ivangene

awe - what does it take 5 minutes to swap out... just change it so you know - toss the other one as an emergency spare

FYI my fuel pump was what crapped out but after pulling it, it ran OK... so maybe they can be intermittant

UberXY

You could change the relay in less time than it takes to post a message about maybe changing the relay.

rusnak

If the dme relay (both circuits) is out, then you won't have fuel or spark. One quick check would be to turn the key on, feel for the relay click, and check that the icv is vibrating. If so, then the dme is receiving power. While cranking, the dme should click again and the fuel pump will run.

Relays of all types can get sticky, which is when you want to change them. I have a heater blower relay that is sticky, but it costs so much that I want to clean the contacts to extend it's life. The dme relay is mercifully cheap, so it's usually changed and thrown in the trash.

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Time to change it,....

Amber Gramps

Now there's an answer I can work with.