Focus 9 Tech Solid State DME Relay
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 138
Likes: 43
From: Huntsville, AL
Focus 9 Tech Solid State DME Relay
After reading all about the infamous DME relay I’m going nuts trying to figure this out. I ordered a solid state DME relay from F9 thinking it would be more reliable than the OE mechanical. Good preemptive maintenance.
The first F9 solid state relay immediately energized the fuel pump when inserted and ran constantly - even when the key was not in the ignition. Thinking it was defective I asked for a replacement.
The second F9 solid state relay did not immediately energize the fuel pump, but when I attempted to start the car, it would turn over and stumble a bit before stalling. I tried several times to start the car, but again it would turn over and stumble a bit...then stall.
I insert the old school DME relay - fires right up instantly without hesitation and runs strong. Return to the F9 solid state - turns over and seems to fire momentarily but won’t idle.
Has anyone run into these electrical gremlins?
Let it be known that F9 sent me a replacement relay without me needing to return my existing relay. Top notch customer service. +1
The first F9 solid state relay immediately energized the fuel pump when inserted and ran constantly - even when the key was not in the ignition. Thinking it was defective I asked for a replacement.
The second F9 solid state relay did not immediately energize the fuel pump, but when I attempted to start the car, it would turn over and stumble a bit before stalling. I tried several times to start the car, but again it would turn over and stumble a bit...then stall.
I insert the old school DME relay - fires right up instantly without hesitation and runs strong. Return to the F9 solid state - turns over and seems to fire momentarily but won’t idle.
Has anyone run into these electrical gremlins?
Let it be known that F9 sent me a replacement relay without me needing to return my existing relay. Top notch customer service. +1
Last edited by Jbelt01; May 23, 2021 at 11:59 PM.
Popular Reply
Jun 10, 2021, 01:31 PM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 410
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From: Phoenix, AZ
I just wanted to give everyone an update.
I can confirm that a recent update to the SSR design resulted in a compatibility issue with the 993. To my knowledge, other models are not affected. I thought this change was minor, but obviously that was not the case. The purpose of this change was to correct outlier issues that affect a fraction of a percent of customers. During my 5 years in business, I have had several thousand SSR customers. On rare occasions, I have run across issues where the SSR works when the mechanical relays do not and vice-versa. It has always been my goal to achieve as close to 100% compatibility as possible.
As an immediate remedy, I have issued full refunds, including shipping, to anyone who has experienced this issue. I have also reverted all current stock to the original SSR design. So far, every customer I have refunded has agreed to test an updated SSR when it becomes available. I believe I now understand what the root cause is, and I have designed two potential updates. The first update is intended to be a fundamental correction to the original SSR design. I expect it will resolve all issues including issues with outlier vehicles. The second design is based on the upcoming Solid-State cooling fan relay for the 944 and 968. This design is overkill by any measure, but it is also simpler to implement compared to the original SSR. The only draw back is significantly higher cost. I intend to send all three SSR versions to every customer who had an issue for evaluation. The customer can choose which version they would like to keep at no cost.
I expect all test SSRs to go out late next week. If anyone has any questions, concerns or comments, please to not hesitate to contact me directly at joe@ftech9.com.
Joe Baumbach
I can confirm that a recent update to the SSR design resulted in a compatibility issue with the 993. To my knowledge, other models are not affected. I thought this change was minor, but obviously that was not the case. The purpose of this change was to correct outlier issues that affect a fraction of a percent of customers. During my 5 years in business, I have had several thousand SSR customers. On rare occasions, I have run across issues where the SSR works when the mechanical relays do not and vice-versa. It has always been my goal to achieve as close to 100% compatibility as possible.
As an immediate remedy, I have issued full refunds, including shipping, to anyone who has experienced this issue. I have also reverted all current stock to the original SSR design. So far, every customer I have refunded has agreed to test an updated SSR when it becomes available. I believe I now understand what the root cause is, and I have designed two potential updates. The first update is intended to be a fundamental correction to the original SSR design. I expect it will resolve all issues including issues with outlier vehicles. The second design is based on the upcoming Solid-State cooling fan relay for the 944 and 968. This design is overkill by any measure, but it is also simpler to implement compared to the original SSR. The only draw back is significantly higher cost. I intend to send all three SSR versions to every customer who had an issue for evaluation. The customer can choose which version they would like to keep at no cost.
I expect all test SSRs to go out late next week. If anyone has any questions, concerns or comments, please to not hesitate to contact me directly at joe@ftech9.com.
Joe Baumbach
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 138
Likes: 43
From: Huntsville, AL
I’m going to ship the F9s back, so maybe they can figure out the anomaly.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,984
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From: Montana
I plugged mine in, and on the third drive the car died mid-corner while pulling g’s. I coasted off onto the narrow shoulder and replaced with my oem spare. Car fired right up. F9 sent me a replacement right away, so I’ll see if that does better.
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From: Dallas, TX
It Falls under the 993 Service and repair mantra:
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I should not upgrade,
the courage and knowledge to fix the things I must,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
We all feel your pain as we have all been there.
Andy ;-)
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From: NC
For me, the phrase "preemptive maintenance" seems a lot like looking for love where some enterprising vendor will find her for you and she has the potential to become an expensive and unrewarding date.
It Falls under the 993 Service and repair mantra:
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I should not upgrade,
the courage and knowledge to fix the things I must,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
We all feel your pain as we have all been there.
Andy ;-)
It Falls under the 993 Service and repair mantra:
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I should not upgrade,
the courage and knowledge to fix the things I must,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
We all feel your pain as we have all been there.
Andy ;-)
With that experience in hand, I bought an F9 relay when I got my 993 and installed it right off, keeping the original in the glove box as the back up. 5 years later I have had no need for the backup.
Still, it is a bit unsettling others have been having issues. It would be nice to hear feedback on the cause from F9, if anyone gets any.
Last edited by SpeedyC2; May 24, 2021 at 03:48 PM. Reason: Typo
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 2,621
Likes: 1,704
From: New Jersey
Well that is the same person who started this thread. He posted his issue last week in my thread about "pump prime" vs "non-pump prime" versions.
That said, Tlaloc75 posted just above that he also recently had an issue. Aside from these two, have not heard of anyone previously having a problem. Seems they've been bullet proof for others.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,984
Likes: 153
From: Montana
Well that is the same person who started this thread. He posted his issue last week in my thread about "pump prime" vs "non-pump prime" versions.
That said, Tlaloc75 posted just above that he also recently had an issue. Aside from these two, have not heard of anyone previously having a problem. Seems they've been bullet proof for others.
That said, Tlaloc75 posted just above that he also recently had an issue. Aside from these two, have not heard of anyone previously having a problem. Seems they've been bullet proof for others.
Responsiveness on their part was 100%.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 410
Likes: 469
From: Phoenix, AZ
After reading all about the infamous DME relay I’m going nuts trying to figure this out. I ordered a solid state DME relay from F9 thinking it would be more reliable than the OE mechanical. Good preemptive maintenance.
The first F9 solid state relay immediately energized the fuel pump when inserted and ran constantly - even when the key was not in the ignition. Thinking it was defective I asked for a replacement.
The second F9 solid state relay did not immediately energize the fuel pump, but when I attempted to start the car, it would turn over and stumble a bit before stalling. I tried several times to start the car, but again it would turn over and stumble a bit...then stall.
I insert the old school DME relay - fires right up instantly without hesitation and runs strong. Return to the F9 solid state - turns over and seems to fire momentarily but won’t idle.
Has anyone run into these electrical gremlins?
Let it be known that F9 sent me a replacement relay without me needing to return my existing relay. Top notch customer service. +1
The first F9 solid state relay immediately energized the fuel pump when inserted and ran constantly - even when the key was not in the ignition. Thinking it was defective I asked for a replacement.
The second F9 solid state relay did not immediately energize the fuel pump, but when I attempted to start the car, it would turn over and stumble a bit before stalling. I tried several times to start the car, but again it would turn over and stumble a bit...then stall.
I insert the old school DME relay - fires right up instantly without hesitation and runs strong. Return to the F9 solid state - turns over and seems to fire momentarily but won’t idle.
Has anyone run into these electrical gremlins?
Let it be known that F9 sent me a replacement relay without me needing to return my existing relay. Top notch customer service. +1
I am aware of this issue and will do everything in my ability to find a solution. I have a few theories why this might be occurring on this specific 993 but not others. At this point I am waiting for the two SSRs to be returned for evaluation. If Jbelt01 is willing, I have several SSRs planned with specific controlled changes to test these theories. Once I have identified a root cause, I expect to be able to enhance the design to be tolerant of this condition.
Joe Baumbach
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,984
Likes: 153
From: Montana
Hi All,
I am aware of this issue and will do everything in my ability to find a solution. I have a few theories why this might be occurring on this specific 993 but not others. At this point I am waiting for the two SSRs to be returned for evaluation. If Jbelt01 is willing, I have several SSRs planned with specific controlled changes to test these theories. Once I have identified a root cause, I expect to be able to enhance the design to be tolerant of this condition.
Joe Baumbach
I am aware of this issue and will do everything in my ability to find a solution. I have a few theories why this might be occurring on this specific 993 but not others. At this point I am waiting for the two SSRs to be returned for evaluation. If Jbelt01 is willing, I have several SSRs planned with specific controlled changes to test these theories. Once I have identified a root cause, I expect to be able to enhance the design to be tolerant of this condition.
Joe Baumbach