Not that it's worth a hill of beans....... but an FYI.

Today I was continuing my 200k prevent maintenance where I change things that I believe they are towards the end of their lifetime as I would rather not observe the parts end of life while standing on the side of the road. Just in case you think you're always getting the same product, Ford will change suppliers!

I changed out the FICM relay before at 100k miles so I can't say the Canadian part is the OE part. I always look over parts before install and since I had both in front of me this was an easy observation. So I was curious if it was just a supplier changing their manufacturing location or change in vendor. So I popped the "hood". The opened images have the newest part on the left.

I certainty can't say one part is better then the other, but they are worlds apart in design. I'm holding in my fingers the relay I'm taking out.

 

Thanks for the post. Let us know at 100k when you change it.

I see a few after market 70 A FICM relays on Ebay for $20. Anyone know if they are any good? FICMrepair sells the OEM for $40.

 

I got this one at the dealer since I was there and still get a highly discounted corporate rate, probably less then what Ed has to pay.

Ford uses these and 70a units also in electric fan or heating grid applications. At my facility we used to use this size as well but since we ordered a lot from Waytek we would buy the Hella relays that were used in the same applications but sold to the European vehicle manufacturers. What is important is Hella plates the lugs rather then leaving them a copper alloy like aftermarket companies do so they are corrosion resistant.

Waytek now charges a handling fee for lower total orders rather not selling at all so rather then eBay or other unknown source I would recomend these as they worked as well as the Ford units for us. If getting this Ford relay wasn't as a good deal for me with a while I'm here situation I would have ordered this.

Hella 7793037 70 Amp SPST Mechanical Relay

 

Thanks! I need a good source. My FICM repair is around $500 with the Atlas tunes. Trying to save a little here and there.

 

Thanks for the info Jack!