The layout of the relay on the car
General information
To supply power or control signal to some of the electrical consumers in the vehicle (such as fuel injection components, horn, starter, fan (s) cooling systems, fog lights, etc.) relays are used. In fact, the relay is an electric key that provides the closure of the HV circuit according to the HV signal. In the event of a relay failure, the corresponding consumer fails to function. Most of the relays are placed in two mounting blocks located in the engine compartment, others are scattered around the car. A description of the check for proper functioning of the relay is given below. Failed relays must be replaced.
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Examination
1. If it is not possible to find out how the relay is connected to the corresponding electrical circuit according to the wiring diagrams, it should be remembered that the approach to testing any relay is basically the same in all cases (see below).
2. The Maxima models covered in this manual use four basic types of relays. Some of them are normally closed, others are normally open, the third and fourth contain circuits of both normally closed and normally open types.
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4. Usually, a control circuit is always connected to two of the relay's contact terminals. When voltage is applied to these LV terminals, the current begins to circulate through the relay control winding, as a result of which the large contacts of the working circuit of the consumer of electricity are closed. The rest of the terminals are the terminals of the working (BB) contour.
5. In order to facilitate the identification of the relay terminals, an explanatory marking is usually applied to its body with an image of the key connection diagram. If there is no such marking, refer to the wiring diagrams.
6. To test, connect an ohmmeter between the two BB terminals of the relay circuit. In the case of a normally open type relay, there should be no conduction. Now connect a fused jumper wire between one of the relay control terminals and the positive battery terminal. Using another jumper wire, ground the second control terminal - the relay should make a click, after which the ohmmeter will record the presence of conductivity (normally open relay). Some relays require obligatory observance of the polarity of the connection - if there is no click, try changing the polarity of connecting the control terminals.
7. If the test fails, replace the relay.