It's important that drivers and car owners know how to distinguish if the main relay of their vehicle is failing.

Why does it matter if the main relay of your car fails? What is the importance of the main relay? Or what is the main relay?

Without a doubt, one of the most essential and primary components of an automobile is its main relay. The main relay powers the entire fuel system and computer of your vehicle. This becomes operational once you turn in your key even before cranking out the engine.

What is the importance of the main relay?

 

The computer of your engine is also a vital part of your car. Without this equipment, your vehicle won't be running properly, and it would be impossible to maneuver your vehicle as intended. This engine computer needs the power provided by the car's main relay to operate appropriately.

Usually, the main relay is situated below the hood inside the vehicle's relay box or under the dashboard but may as well depend upon the model of the car.

Moreover, it is exposed to high heat that may result in it being damaged along the way. There is a need for an immediate response once the main relay of your car starts to malfunction.

The main relay is situated below the hood inside the vehicle's relay box or under the dashboard.

It may not be easy for an ordinary car owner to examine issues regarding the main relay. However, there are few fundamental stuff drivers and owners may check to solve those common dilemmas.

Philcarnews.com prepared some of the signs of a bad main relay, and they are the following:

The engine does not start

As mentioned earlier, the car's fuel system is controlled by the main relay. If it malfunctions, it will not be able to supply sufficient power required for the fuel system to work. The car might also not start if there is no fuel left. There may be other factors to consider once the engine does not start but checking if the main relay is the problem is advisable.

Unfortunately, it is recommended to call a mechanic to consult for the diagnosis of your car when this kind of situation occurs because first, it is difficult to diagnose, and second, it is very time-consuming.

Once the engine does not start,  it's advisable to check if the problem is the main relay

>>> Related: How to Keep Your Car Running Like New

The car is incapable of running for a long time interval

When your vehicle cranks and the engine dies after almost immediately, the main relay most probably is the problem. Take the time to get your car's relay tested and/or replaced if necessary, to ensure that problems like these stop from occurring.

Aside from the fact that it is frustrating to have a car that continually cuts off, it is also perilous to ride cars experiencing this particular condition. Getting a new main relay is the only choice there is to recover the consistency your vehicle had.

It is also perilous to ride cars that continually cut off

The car starts sometimes, and sometimes it doesn't

If this happens to your vehicle, it may tell you that the main relay temporarily works at some point, and sometimes fail.

Addressing such an issue as soon as possible is required because you might be stranded somewhere that calling a mechanic is impossible. It is better to consult one if you happen to notice this indication.

You might be stranded somewhere that calling a mechanic is impossible

>>> Related: How to Extend the Life of Your Car

Check engine light alights

In other cases, your car's check engine light mechanically turns on. You will be able to induce diagnostics easier by using an OBD/OBD-II scanner that basically depends on your car's manufacture.

The computer of your vehicle shows the code, most of the time pinpoint the root cause of the problem accurately and enables the problem to be known easily. If you have one and capable of using it, you yourself can check the code shown.

However, if you are not knowledgeable about the use of OBD/OBD-II scanner, the right thing to do is to visit a shop that owns diagnostic equipment. There, they will likely spot the root cause of why your car's check engine light is turned on.

Another symptom of a failing main relay is an illuminating "Check Engine" dashboard warning light

The car won’t start once the interior’s gotten hot

The heat causes the solder joints connected to the relay to dislocate and ruin the circuit path. Addressing this recurring problem immediately can prevent further damage to the main relay of your car.

Testing and solutions

There are myriad factors to consider when problems like your car won't start running. Thus, it is difficult to diagnose a failing main relay. The problem can come from air to fuel to spark plugs and fuel pump; any failures from these things can interrupt the normal operations of your car.

You are allowed to self-diagnose your automobile to discover what’s wrong if you are well informed with the primordial car knowledge.

Pat the relay

Tapping or patting the relay from time to time will cause it to run temporarily. When the car does start after tapping its main relay, there is genuinely something wrong with it that requires it to be changed or repaired.

Changing the main relay of your car demands lesser difficulty than repairing one, for it demands electrical expertise.

Inspecting the first clicks next to starting your car

Your car’s main relay will click thrice on distinct key positions upon turning over the key in 3 steps. By placing your hand at the relay and turning over the key once, you can check if the relay works on all key stages; there must be a click. The ignition will only be unlocked at this point.

Your car’s main relay will click thrice on distinct key positions upon turning over the key in 3 steps

The electrical systems must turn on as you turn the key over further. At this level, you should hear another click from the relay.

Lastly, the car will start at this final stage, and the relay should give a click again. If to some degree, the main relay doesn't succeed to click or you weren't able to hear the initial clicks, there is a possibility of a problem connected to the relay.

Cost of renewing the main relay of your car

The average expense incurred by car owners in replacing the main relay can go beyond Php 10,000.00 relying on the car's model. You can carry out the replacement process at home too.