Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Ignition relay.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 17, 2016 | 06:38 PM
  #1  
roots4thought's Avatar
roots4thought
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Ignition relay.

So I'm sorta stumped here. I have an 87 f150 i6 300 mt 2wd.
I have power at the ignition relay (brown) at the 12v constant (yellow) wire and when I turn the key to run I hear the relay click. I tested the 12v from the keyed ignition switch by pulling off the relay and checking for voltage with my volt meter. Checked ground wire by putting the red side of my volt meter to the + post on batt and the black side of meter to the ground wire. Everything checks out fine. When the relay is installed, and the key is on, I do not get voltage through the relay to the "out" side of the relay. I have tried 3 different relays including the old/origional one and two brand new ones from two different manufactures. When I jump the 12v to the "out" on the plug with the relay removed I can get the truck to fire right up and run. What is going on here?
 
Reply
Old May 17, 2016 | 07:15 PM
  #2  
bigredtruck's Avatar
bigredtruck
More Turbo
25 Year Member
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 582
Likes: 5
From: New Orleans United States
Is the 12V from the keyed ignition switch the power to the relay that is supposed to pass through it, or is that the 12V to energize the relay coil to pull in and close the circuit?
 
Reply
Old May 17, 2016 | 07:27 PM
  #3  
roots4thought's Avatar
roots4thought
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
The 12v is to pull the coil
 
Reply
Old May 17, 2016 | 07:35 PM
  #4  
bigredtruck's Avatar
bigredtruck
More Turbo
25 Year Member
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 582
Likes: 5
From: New Orleans United States
So, 12V in, 12V keyed, relay clicks, but no 12V out tested on multiple relays.......

All I can guess is the relays have normally open contacts and normally closed contacts. See if you are getting 12V out of any of the leads when the key is off. That would mean the output lead is wired to a normally closed contact with no power applied and when you turn the key, it is opening the circuit.

Just a guess.
 
Reply
Old May 17, 2016 | 08:41 PM
  #5  
roots4thought's Avatar
roots4thought
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
There are 4 wires

1.) yellow wire is always hot/12v
2.) black ground
3.) red key in 12v closed circuit.
4.) brown normally open supply to computer, fuel pump relay, distributor etc etc

When I jump from yellow to brown I get the truck to run.
Red and black are purely to pull the coil and complete the yellow to brown connection.
 
Reply
Old May 18, 2016 | 07:01 AM
  #6  
roots4thought's Avatar
roots4thought
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Thank you bigredtruck for your responses. I hope that somebody else may have a suggestion as to what I can look at or a test I can perform.

The only thing I can think of is that the ground is maybe not good? It is grounded according to my meter but maybe something changes when a load is applied?
 
Reply
Old May 18, 2016 | 07:34 PM
  #7  
roots4thought's Avatar
roots4thought
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
I opened up the relay and I am not seeing the coil engage. I hear it click but do not see it latch. Guess I'll try the ignition switch
 
Reply
Old May 19, 2016 | 07:41 AM
  #8  
subford's Avatar
subford
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,667
Likes: 301
From: Easton,Ks
Sounds like a bad relay socket or the wires to the socket.
Very common with this era truck.
Most just update the socket and relay to the newer type.By the way the relay you are calling the Ignition relay is called the EEC Power relay.

Here is a diagram for making the update:


/
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old May 19, 2016 | 01:06 PM
  #9  
roots4thought's Avatar
roots4thought
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by subford
Sounds like a bad relay socket or the wires to the socket.
Very common with this era truck.
Most just update the socket and relay to the newer type.By the way the relay you are calling the Ignition relay is called the EEC Power relay.

Here is a diagram for making the update:


/
Subford you're the man. I'll replace the socket today
 
Reply
Old May 19, 2016 | 01:59 PM
  #10  
roots4thought's Avatar
roots4thought
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Ok, took the socket apart and wired directly to the relay spades. Still won't engage the coil. I checked that all the terminals are getting power where they need it and ground as well. The only one not getting juice is the supply to the computer. I wired in a manual eec relay (switch) for now. Kinda a pain to have to flip but it works and the truck runs like a champ!
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
timmyboy76
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
9
Oct 24, 2011 07:08 PM
cje07
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco
4
Mar 23, 2010 01:37 PM
CobraXP
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
14
Dec 12, 2003 04:57 PM
Soulseeka
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
2
Jul 16, 2003 09:54 PM
cyberbyrd
Electrical Systems/Wiring
8
Mar 7, 2002 09:00 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:06 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE