ago 85 carrera

To all those who know to keep a spare relay in the glove box but haven't gotten around to buying one, delay no more. I put one in the glove box eight years ago thinking it's something that all bona fide 3.2 fanatics do but I seriously never thought I'd need it. Well, this morning I parked at work like a thousand other mornings and this afternoon the car wouldn't start. I tried pumping the throttle (like that's going to do anything for an EFI engine) then realized I might have had the fabled DME relay failure. I removed the single nut holding the old relay, swapped the old one for the new one, and it fired it up like there was never a problem!!!

I'll be putting a new relay in the glove box that I'm sure I'll never use. May you never be stranded because you didn't have a spare DME relay.

P.S. If you buy from Pelican, the relay comes with the mounting bracket bracket. If you buy over the parts counter, make sure it comes with the bracket as the bracket is very hard to pull off the old relay.

User 4221

Question... Do you need to mount the relay in order for it to work? Meaning, does it derive its ground from the metal tab?

I ask because I can easily plug/unplug the DME relay by feel from the rear of the driver's seat. I could easily install a new relay without bolting it down and get me home to some real tools.

theiceman

i doubt it uses chassis ground without a return Scott.. you should be able to hang it

ago 85 carrera

Iceman is correct, no ground needed. I tested the new relay before unbolting the old one. All this is most easily done with the seat pushed all the way forward and the nut was easy off with the Leatherman multi-tool and mini-flashlight I also keep in the glove box.

Other things I have in the glove box:
Ibuprofen
Post-it pad (dash knee pad is perfect for sticking small reminders)
Matchbox die-cast 935 for its spiritual value
Microfiber cloth
Lint

There's a new thread idea... "What's in your glove box?"

Carrera3.2LG50

ago,
That's good advice. Glad to hear you had one when you needed one.

I keep a bag in my car at all times with the toolkit, DME relay, fan belt, Bentley, and various other items in my 24 year old car.

dshepp806

I change that DME relay out, preventively, no less than every 2 years...sometimes, earlier....lotsa' (used) spares but I always keep a NEW one in that glove box!!!!!!!

Good news to hear you were "prepared"!!!!!!!!!!!

Best!

Doyle

rusnak

If you can, try to find a German made one.