Buzzing Relay
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Charlotte
Buzzing Relay
At least I think its a relay, I need help with identifying the part that is causing the buzzing / chatter. It is a yellow connector of some sort attatched to the bottom of the dash almost directly in the center of the driver's side. It has 6 wires going to it and several numbers on it. In ink, it shows 5171A on the side, on the bottom there is a lot more, but the last line is "3 (6) x 32CP - 12v". It seems it may be shorted because the sound was going until I disconnected the battery, whether the truck was running or not, even without the keys in. This is in a 95 Explorer Limited, has an alarm with starter kill, but everything seems to be functioning, I'm afraid this is a fire hazard, please let me know if you can ID this yellow connector, what circuits it runs, how to disconnect, how much to replace, etc... any info would be helpful. Thanks in advance!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,595
Likes: 52
From: Lawton, Oklahoma
Buzzing Relay
Sounds like a flasher relay. Wiggle the turn signal stalk and 4 way flasher switch and see if the sound changes. Maybe that your multifunction switch needs replaced rather than the relay.
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Buzzing Relay
I agree it's probably not the relay causing the problem but rather the multi-function switch. The relay will buzz when the connections start getting old (dirty, worn, etc. ) on the switch. Cleaning it usually will fix it. The switch is about $55 from the dealer. IIRC the relay is about half the price of the switch.
Mason
Mason
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From: Charlotte
Buzzing Relay
Do you know if I have to take off the steering wheel to get this out? It doesn't look like I would need to do anything more than just remove the covers to the steering column.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2000
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Buzzing Relay
No, you don't have to remove the steering wheel only the steering wheel cover. Be sure to disconnect the battery before doing any work on or around the steering wheel/column. It only takes a few minutes to get to the switch. Some people have had success cleaning the switch by spraying cleaner around the 4 way flasher switch while continuosly operating the switch. Might be worth a try since it only takes a couple of minutes.
Mason
Mason
Mason
Mason
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Buzzing Relay
Electronic circuit board cleaner. Certainly available at Radio Shack and probably many auto parts or home improvement stores.
Mason
Mason
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Charlotte
Buzzing Relay
Thanks for the help, I'll stop by the Shack and pick some up on the way in, the switch is 60 at the nearest parts store, so I can suck it up if I need to...
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Charlotte
Buzzing Relay
Ok, so I took it off and cleaned it out (now I remember spilling the medicine on a road trip). A wire snapped from one of the connectors as I was disassembling it. I soldered it back to the connector (poorly given the space I had to work in) and got it all back together, tested all portions of the switch good yesterday. As I was driving it today, I noticed it only blinks 1-3 times and then stops when I use the turn signal. Doesn't matter if I am going left or right, it mostly blinks once and stops, as if it lost the connection and dies. The hazards, the wipers, brights all work normally. But you put on a turn signal and it's hit or miss, but even when left on, it doesn't start to blink again after it stops. I believe the wire that I had to solder was black with orange stripe (or similar colors), in case that would kill the turn signal but let it flash the hazards.
Last edited by satcomjimmy; Aug 25, 2003 at 09:44 PM.
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Junior User
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From: Charlotte
Buzzing Relay
I replaced the switch, and it is doing the same thing. The turn signal goes a few blinks and stops. It's as if a joint somewhere is getting overheated and breaking the connection. THen it cools and it works again. If I let it rest for a while, the signal blinks a good 7-9 times, but then it stops and a few seconds later, it won't signal at all. I can't find anything that looks anything like what I know as a flasher. The only thing I have is that yellow relay, and I think that's what I'm looking for. I'm replacing that first thing Tuesday, but any ideas?
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