melting relay plug
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New User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21
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From: Fairbanks, AK
melting relay plug
OK, I'm at a loss. As I was driving home today in my 77 F150, I smelled something burning. Then my heater quit blowing. I located the source of the smell. There are some wires that connect to the heater relay from the blower speed switch and then on to the blower motor. The plug that connects directly to the relay had begun to melt. What would cause this?
I've had the relay burn out on me before, but never the plug that it's attached to. In fact, I've had to replace the relay twice in the past 3 months. I figured that the relay kept failing because I had a bare wire or something that was grounding out, but I've spent hours tracing wire and haven't found anything.
I'm definitely no expert when it comes to electrical troubleshooting. Maybe you guys can help me out. One thing I've noticed lately is that the fan speed fluctuates quite a bit. Higher engine RPM's = higher fan speed. Is there some sort of voltage regulator that is faulty? Please let me know if you can think of anything. It's not that cold up here right now, but it's supposed to get down to -35F next week.
Jon
I've had the relay burn out on me before, but never the plug that it's attached to. In fact, I've had to replace the relay twice in the past 3 months. I figured that the relay kept failing because I had a bare wire or something that was grounding out, but I've spent hours tracing wire and haven't found anything.
I'm definitely no expert when it comes to electrical troubleshooting. Maybe you guys can help me out. One thing I've noticed lately is that the fan speed fluctuates quite a bit. Higher engine RPM's = higher fan speed. Is there some sort of voltage regulator that is faulty? Please let me know if you can think of anything. It's not that cold up here right now, but it's supposed to get down to -35F next week.
Jon
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Princeton, MN
melting relay plug
I've really got nothing to back this up but it is a thought. Maybe your original thought about a bad wire/ground causing your relay to fail was better than you think exept maybe the problem was in the plug and now that finally failed. I would personally try just replacing the plug and relay and see what happens. Maybe the wiring to that comes from the plug as well. Just a thought. Let us know what you find out.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21
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From: Fairbanks, AK
melting relay plug
I replaced the plug and relay today. The heater works now. However, I'm pretty sure that the problem will show it's ugly head again. The relay has failed several times in the past.
Jon
Jon
