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AAARGH! Relays!
scoobyis2cool - 15/7/04 at 04:02 PM

I'm trying to figure out the wiring for my Indy and it's doing my head in. When I bought the loom from MK with my kit I assumed (bad idea) that it would just plug in and work, but since then I have found out that I need to add relays into the circuit to protect my switches from melting or something along those lines.

Looking at the sierra manual there are 23 relays in a sierra. Some i obviously don't need such as the ABS relays and heated winscreen etc but there are a load I'm not sure about.

Now I'm not at all electrically minded so I'm having a huge amount of difficulty figuring out what I need to put where and how many relays I need in total, any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

PS The loom is a pinto loom bought from MK and manufactured by a company called MES


Pete

Petemate - 15/7/04 at 04:47 PM

Hi Pete
What engine are you using? What ignition system, column switches etc?
I work at B'ham Airport, 3 days on & 3 off. Due back at work on Sat, I'll bring all my diagrams etc, if you'd like to give me a ring on 07780 970 657 tomorrow sometime we'll have a chat to see if I can be of any assistance.
Cheers,
Pete(Oldgit)

scoobyis2cool - 15/7/04 at 05:30 PM

Thanks OldGit, that would be really helpful. The engine is a 2L pinto with the older ignition unit (6 wires) and a bosch (i think) dizzy. I've got the engine running so that's not the problem, the problem is the lighting and switches. I'm using the standard column switches from an '88 1.8 sierra

I'm just trying to figure out what I'm supposed to do to isolate the switches so they don't melt. What loom did you use? Do the diagrams show you where relays should be put it?

Pete

[Edited on 16/7/04 by scoobyis2cool]

Peteff - 15/7/04 at 06:33 PM

The Sierra switchgear only earths the relays so it doesn't carry the main current. That is borne by the relays from the battery to the appliance it is powering, lights, fan etc.

scoobyis2cool - 15/7/04 at 06:50 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
The Sierra switchgear only earths the relays so it doesn't carry the main current. That is borne by the relays from the battery to the appliance it is powering, lights, fan etc.


Hi Pete,

Like I said I'm not really electrically minded so I'm not sure I fully understand your answer, but the way I've read it are you saying I don't need relays by the switches but I will elsewhere? Currently my loom only has one relay for the cooling fan and one for the "flasher unit". Will I need to add any more in or will this be sufficient? The flasher unit relay seems to be connected to the hazard switch and the indicator switch so maybe that takes care of the indicators. From what I can tell there aren't any relays wired in with the headlight, fog light or main beam switches, will this be a problem?

Yours confusedly,

Pete

[Edited on 15/7/04 by scoobyis2cool]

[Edited on 15/7/04 by scoobyis2cool]

Peteff - 15/7/04 at 08:47 PM

The switch only operates the relay which carries the main current, like a little switch working a bigger one. You'll need at least one for main beams and one for dips.

[Edited on 15/7/04 by Peteff]

Petemate - 15/7/04 at 09:54 PM

Hi again Pete
Peteff seems to have beaten me to it. (I'm just experiencing a Gaymers Old English celebratory haze, having fired up the engine if the RH 2b for the first time today - now like a dog with two .....)
Peteff's spot-on, relays only needed for the lights, or too much current for the puny switches. Give us a call anyway tomorrow if you like.
Pete(Oldgit)

P.S Peteff - I like your sense of humour

scoobyis2cool - 16/7/04 at 04:14 PM

Hi again OldGit,

I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to meet up this weekend, I've got a lot on unfortunately. Thanks a lot for the offer though, maybe some other time.

By the way, well done getting your engine running! I just got mine working a few weeks ago so i know how satisfying it is, I must have sat in mine revving it for about half an hour. I'm gonna need a new tank of fuel before I even get it on the road at this rate...

Cheers,

Pete