A/C Relay Protection
07-03-2004, 08:50 AM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
A/C Relay Protection
Just read Bill's successful repair story for the wimpy 2 amp relay in the A/C head unit, and am prompted to ask ...
For those who have had no problems with this relay, can it be protected by installing a regular 10-20 amp relay under the hood to switch fused power directly to the A/C clutch ? The trigger wire would be the wire normally running to the clutch, so the 2 amp relay would only see the insignifigant load of switching a 'bigger' relay - and last 'forever'.
So, open the connector for the A/C clutch wire, and insert a relay as follows;
to a ~20 amp relay: A/C head wire - pin #85
chassis ground - pin #86
.........................................
(switched) +12V fused - pin #30
to A/C clutch - pin #87
Second question, is this 2 amp relay in all A/C controllers, or did it start in a particular MY?
I recall something about this, but could only find data on the controller repair - it would be far easier to stick a relay under the hood now vs. waiting for the controller to die - if that's the problem.
For those who have had no problems with this relay, can it be protected by installing a regular 10-20 amp relay under the hood to switch fused power directly to the A/C clutch ? The trigger wire would be the wire normally running to the clutch, so the 2 amp relay would only see the insignifigant load of switching a 'bigger' relay - and last 'forever'.
So, open the connector for the A/C clutch wire, and insert a relay as follows;
to a ~20 amp relay: A/C head wire - pin #85
chassis ground - pin #86
.........................................
(switched) +12V fused - pin #30
to A/C clutch - pin #87
Second question, is this 2 amp relay in all A/C controllers, or did it start in a particular MY?
I recall something about this, but could only find data on the controller repair - it would be far easier to stick a relay under the hood now vs. waiting for the controller to die - if that's the problem.
07-05-2004, 06:05 PM
#3
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Bump!
It seems failure of the 2 amp A/C head controller relay is fairly common - due to feedback from the A/C clutch cycling ( if I understand the issue).
If that is true, is there any comment as to installing a heavier relay at the A/C clutch - to protect the controller? Or is there a level of content to let it fail, and then tear the controller apart to install a heavier duty replacement?
BTW, installing a higher duty relay to switch load from a light duty oem relay is pretty common practice for high output lighting, horns - same trick.
It seems failure of the 2 amp A/C head controller relay is fairly common - due to feedback from the A/C clutch cycling ( if I understand the issue).
If that is true, is there any comment as to installing a heavier relay at the A/C clutch - to protect the controller? Or is there a level of content to let it fail, and then tear the controller apart to install a heavier duty replacement?
BTW, installing a higher duty relay to switch load from a light duty oem relay is pretty common practice for high output lighting, horns - same trick.
