Delboy's Garage, Simple Skills, # Testing a Relay
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ก.ย. 2016
- Simple Skills, 'How To Test an Electrical Relay'
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Del,
My bike wouldn't start this morning. I called the Harley dealer...he said he would arrange a tow ($100) followed by 2 hour diagnostic ($250)...but thanks to your video blog, I felt empowered enough to pull jiggle the contacts at the battery, pull the fuses and check them. Pulled the relay out, took it to the dealer and bought another for $12, plugged it in and it started right up. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Hi David, oh my goodness, the good ol' starter relay ploy again! How that can catch us out aye?... it is disappointing though, don't you think, that the dealer can't suggest to you over the phone to swop those relays over and see if it spins the motor over... I guess then they wouldn't sell their services!So here's a trick if ever you need it again... you have two relays 'the starter relay' and the 'system relay', they look identical in shape and are usually a different colour, but actually they contain the same internals and do the same job... if the bike won't turn over, and it's just dead and only making a very quiet click when you press the start button, then that's the starter relay not throwing across... if on the other hand, it turns over nice and healthy, but won't fire up, then that's the system relay not engaging the power to the coils. So you can use them in each other's places, so in future, if it won't turn over, swop the two of them round in each other's holes, if it then turns over and doesn't start, then you know it was a faulty starter relay... either way, it helps to keep a spare one in the spare socket in the fuse box and you can use it in either hole should you ever need to! Glad you got it sorted buddy, now you have all those beer vouchers left over to enjoy at the weekend!
Del,
On my bike, a 2006 Sportster XL1200C, there its only one relay, at least only one I could find. I have a couple of questions: I found that the starter is cranking a whole lot faster with the new relay in place. As relays age and deteriorate, do they supply less and less power to the starter? And secondly, are relays universal? Could I find relays elsewhere then the Harley dealer at, presumably, a quarter the price?@@Moonfleet41
@@cowdudeable Hi again David, Ok, i didn't pick up that it was Sporty, being the only time ive had this was on my Softail here in the video, they have two.. so yours is combined into one... and i guess its just a matter of replacing it... As for buying universal relays, As long as you can find out the exact relay you need, and make sure its the same spec.. then it will fit and work.. but for £7 i paid for mine from the dealer, im happy with that price for a Genuine item that i can have peace of mind with..! you're not really gonna save much buying a pattern one, so not even worth the looking IMHO.....
I've seen so many of your videos. Thank you for sharing! I admire you bro! Cheers!
Dude. I watch this video and it helped me diagnose and fix my 2000 HD Fatboy. Thank you!
Thanks for the video, brother. Electrical issues, be it with bikes or cars, have always been a nightmare for me because of my lack of experience/knowledge. You do an excellent job of explaining them thoroughly and clearly.
Thanks buddy, you're very kind, and I think we all see electrics as a 'dark art', even I don't like it, mainly cos it's boring !
Easy relay test class 101,like always spot on!! Thanks brother, from Pennsylvania
Very helpful. Electrics seem a bit daunting but you give me the guts to go out and start probing. Thanks.
Another great informative video as always 👍😎
The best description i have heard of how a relay works , no messing about with technical details Absoloutely love these video's Thanks !!!!
Another useful lesson. Thank you.
Thanks for this Vid as it was the problem with my Harley all sorted now :)
Fantastic video, cheers from Australia. :D
As Always Delboy Simple, quick and informative……
you’re the man!!!!!
Thank you Sir!!!!
Very welcome, glad you enjoyed it. !
Great explanation and visual. Next up, explaining the working principle behind a relay and why a motorcycle needs it. I feel that a lot of people just don't understand it outside of a relay being a little magic box lol
This will come in handy. Thanks Del
Thanks so much for helping all of us
Very clear & precise data👏👏
Cant believe it after months I managed to start my bonneville, it was a 10 amp fuse. Thanks mate
Brill info on your vids bud , so easy to follow. all the best and thanks.
Thanks buddy.. glad you enjoy the videos.. Del.
As always guys, very useful and interesting stuff.
Thanks David, good to hear from you !
Nice one Del & Penny. Well explained video as usual mate. Ride safe, Al.
Thanks Al!
very good video for people that don't know or under stand what a relay does. They are used in a lot of stuff from bikes and cars to factory machines etc . they are used so you can trigger a high amperage or high voltage with a low voltage or amperage switch .. the relay takes the higher voltage and or amperage and does not put the load on the small switch that is used to trigger it . Very useful video and a lot of the times a very common problem for sure .
Thanks Tex.. great explanation.. i should have said what you just did and kept the video shorter..lol
Scotty,,, exactly right. It allows a small micro switch to energize the relay which can then send more amps to starter solenoid in this case. Generally microswitch and relay are both 12 volts but doesn't have to be because they are seperate circuits. Electromagnet side can go bad so there is no clicking noise but also the contacts can go bad and not connect the higher load side. That's why you could have points making contact but corroded contacts not energizing the circuit for starter, lights, winch, etc. Thanks for the great video.
Thanks a lot for your easy and understandable tutorial. This save me a lot of time, money and mental health.
Most welcome Roger, im glad to have helped you out.
That will be a good video about a multi meter, mine have saved me when checking whether the alternator is charging or battery need replacing etc , I think its an important tool to have around with its many use's for electrical fault finding.......nice one....
Yeah, so I am learning from reading the comments buddy, it seems it could help a lot of people, so may do it this week !
I always struggle with the multimeter looking forward to the how to . I found this very helpful thanks .
Thanks buddy, it's an extremely accurate tool and the good news is you don't really need 90% of it's accuracy unless you are building electrical systems, it's kinda like one of those 100 piece socket sets, there will always be 65 pieces you'll never use, but understanding the parts of the multi meter you do use is pretty straight forward! I'll be doing a video this week as it seems to have found an audience already...
Good one. Thanks brother.
Nice, clear & precise..brilliant.
Cheers Frank.
I've already replaced one on my 2000 big dog , have to buy another one now from ford parts dept ,$14. oo it's in between the gas tanks in a module .thanks for the video ..
Mine was as you say clicking but would not start so what I did with my started relay when I thought it was faulty was to jump the contacts at I don't have a vault meter.
All I did was get my screwdriver and bridged the gap between the contacts as mine is not the plug in one you have and voila the starter kicked over. Bought one like you say for a few quid and it sorted the problem.
Great video Delboy as ever as it always seems to be a question that pops up regular on the forum sites.
TOP MAN....
Cheers buddy, just to be an 'apex nerd', that what you have is not a starter relay, it's the starter solenoid, and I still have that on my bike too, on the back of the starter motor... the relay stops interrupts the current on it's way to the solenoid, the reason I knew the power wasn't getting past the relay was that when you hold the start button in, the actual starter motor itself should 'click', and get a little hot, and then the voltage from the battery will be reading about 6 volts, or less, whilst the button is held in, but it wasn't reading any different when I held the starter button in, still 12.6, cos all the power was doing was clicking a tiny switch, the resistance was in the coil inside... told you it was nerdy lol !
Great Sound advice Del .
great tutorial, it is easy to forget that which has great importance but complete out of sight, your philosophy is 100% correct better to know how not to chase your tail in frustration.
"how not to chase your tail in frustration". Wise words indeed Roberto. Thanks for your insite. Del.
Hi there,
Got a question for you. I have 2016 HD v-rod muscle. I was installing rear signal on my bike and I think wire touched the frame and after that my left rear signal stopped working. Fuses are good, bulb is good cuz I wired that left signal into right side and it flashes. When I wire right signal into left side it doesn't work. I got security system on my bike and when I lock the bike that's the only time left signal flashes. I checked wiring and everything. I couldn't figure out what's going on.
Best videos online, you keep everything simple and easy to understand unlike some videos where your comatose after the first two minutes,
Thank you Tim.. ive watched a few of those too mate.. lol!
good stuff well done; simple and to the point
Much appreciated!
Very good simple and to the point... Will share with my Son. His 204 VRod is not starting making that clicking sound at tbe relay.
Essential Skill, Sir. Outstanding!
Thank you kindly!
Just wanted to thank you personally! I watched how to find a switched live wire as I couldn't get into the ignition wiring & you saved me a lot of headache 💘 😊 thanks Boss!!!
You're most welcome mate, am glad I could help, and really appreciate your kind feedback!
Another DBG classic. love this series.
Thanks Bobby.
Hi, thanks for the video, I did as you said and I tested my relay, all came out good. I went to test it again shortly after (I'm scared of electrics so was pretty proud of what I done lol) and it started sparking and wires getting hot, have I fried something? Thanks
Boy, do I need to see more of these sorts of vids. Electrics are like a dark art... :o(
Your simple skills videos are just what I was looking as a new, mechanically interested rider!
I hardly know anyone in my circle that has mechanical skills and books only get you so far.
A lot of what I have learned came from you channel, big thanks to you!
Thanks buddy, glad the videos can inspire you... good luck with your projects..
Really well explained and kept it simple, thanks
Glad it was helpful!
Fine video and extremely good info. DMM's are fairly inexpensive to get a decent one so it should be in every motobiker's tool kit. Helps isolate issues and keep the costs of visiting the shop / dealer to a min. Cheers!
Mike
Sure thing buddy, knowledge is power, and diagnosing a fault is half the battle, you can't fix something if you don't know what's wrong aye?! Safe trip home brother, missing you both already !
Excellent Thank you for that, solved my problem today mate ☘
No problem 👍
I have a couple of relays that I added to my bike for some custom wiring. The first time, I really sat there and stared at the instructions trying to understand how the thing worked. I knew conceptually what it did, but had never played with one and was getting confused with the whole 5 pin thing. First time I wired it up, it was actually backwards (I wired the high power side to the coil and the trigger to the opposite of the coil). Good think I had disconnected the battery and re-read the instructions/internet. Phew! Flipped the wiring and got it right.... I actually added a total of 3 relays to my bike to power additional lights and a USB port. Good vid! Made me laugh cuz you made it sound so simple compared to when I first tried playing with them...
You know what buddy, a lot of it is the people who write instructions - Penny & I knew a guy who was responsible for having successfully written some very good service manuals, and had even worked for Haynes writing manuals, but you know what?? He was the most boring guy you ever could talk to... he could even make reading you your winning lotto numbers boring... and he was actually proud of that fact as well lol
Delboy you are a legend you saved me money allsongot me out of ka ka twice seedo sensor, and start relay. Harley Davidson xlh 883 year 2000,, got it good knock down price, but air filter, like a hover bag cleaned carb, new oil filter & oil checked bike like you do, little things are.. Sorted but need new relay switch the bike starts then for a few min riding it coughs & spluttering then ok, heard cleck under seat relay switch, ta very much gonna check fueses, 💯😊🍀
I forgot to subscribe yesterday.
You deserve it with such a great tutorial.
Thanks and welcome aboard.
Excellent advice ..thank you Bro
Most welcome buddy, thanks for your kind words.. Del.
Short sweet and to the point. 👍👍
Thanks for the enlightenment
A really useful video buddy, the dreaded click noise on startup, nothing worse, especially when your 200 miles from home, thanks for sharing. Regards Stu 👍👍🔧🔧
Cheers mate, hoping this will explain what that 'click' is, often that fear is more the fear of the unknown, and what the hell you're gonna do about it miles from home, which is why I make the point that if you really are stranded and you keep clicking it enough times, it can often 'catch' just enough for one more start up... and, obviously, remember it's still possible to bump start it if you really are stranded...
I'll remember that one seeing as I've got a growing desire for an Italian bike!
Ha ha ah.....very useful..!
Hi Delboy ! i have issues with the neutral switch on my iron 883 (light doesn't come on which means i have to be on the bike with side stand folded, clutch in to get the bike started ) . last week I replaced the instrument cluster loom . Yesterday before removing front belt sprocket to get to the existing switch , i plugged in new neutral switch and jump wire to the bike (up to the underside connection) , pressed the ball end of the switch , still the Neutral light didn't come on the instrument cluster ! I am now concerned that the problem isn't the actual switch ? Any suggestions would be welcomed !! Ta
I watched this after I replaced starter relay,put new on and still not a click,,got starter motor off now,,,I'll keep watching and learning
Very well explain thank you
had this problem with my fz6 outside the shop not so long back, it was just clicking eventually it worked and not had a problem since, but least I now know what was happening, thanks
Just exactly that buddy, it even happens on my Tiger now and again, the 'click' shows the relay is firing, you probably built up some resistance in the coil, it may have healed itself temporarily, as I showed, but strictly speaking, that should be just a 'get you home', I would replace that starter relay before it strands you somewhere, and they are less than a fiver!
On my z1000sx when i turned on my ignition the bike fired up after a screech sound, now it won't start but i get the two clicks, so should i look at the solenoid relay?
one your best vids yet Del
How many OHMs on starter relay when not adding power? Just using 86 pos and 85 neg side with multimeter?
Del Boy does electrics...now this could start getting interesting :-) (bugger, where's that smoke coming from??!!) :-)
Coming from an electronics engineer....Rather well explained, our Del :-)
Ha ha, never let the smoke escape aye...!! lol
Hi, I have a 2003 softail that has lost spark, iI tested my relay, spark plug, spark leeds and changed out my coil pack to no joy...Can you advise how to check the crank sensor as that controls spark and firing time? what setting on your multimeter and can you check in place using your needle method?
I need some help, I have a 2012 fatboy and I replaced my turn signals front and rear with leds, all my turn signals work except the right rear one. When I first installed them and tested them they worked and after putting the fender back on the bike the right rear stopped working. I checked and double checked all my wiring, I soldered the connections and heat shrinked each connection, I removed the fender once again and while in bolted from the frame I plugged in the connector under the seat and tried one more time and it worked perfectly, so I bolted it all back together and now it’s not working again. I swapped leds and even tried the old turn signal but no go. I tested the connector when the left turn signal is on I can find the intermittent 12 v going to the rear in the plug but when the right turn signal is on I can’t find the intermittent 12 v anywhere in the plug so I believe the issue is something else.
Just subscribed... valuable content here. Good work!
Thank you, welcome aboard, glad your enjoying the videos!
Thanks for the Information brother and I like your hat. I was a Door Gunner on a Huey Helicopter in the Vietnam War.
Thank you so much for your feedback, it is an honour to have your appreciation Sir!
Fantastic :D
Thank you sir! My 2007 Heritage let me down today while picking up a new battery for my 92 Sportster, which let me down yesterday. )-: I think it is the relay. I get power everywhere, except the starter. No solenoid click. Just a slight relay click. Had to have the wife come get me with the bike trailer.. (You must have a trailer, if you own a Harley.) Your video gives me hope that I can fix it myself. So far, I've fixed the starter clutch and a pressure switch for the brake lights that caused all the brake fluid to leak out on this bike. I have 4 Harleys. I'm getting sick of fixing them all the time.
I feel your pain my friend, Harleys are a high maintenance indulgence for sure... there is a little trick, which I think I covered in the video, you have a starter relay and a system relay and they're identical, just plugged in to different jobs... if the bike won't turn over, then swop the relays over and if it then cranks but doesn't start, swop them back and it doesn't crank, that is definite proof your starter relay is toast... if you are stuck by the roadside with this, you can still bump start them (if you don't have a trailer)... enjoy your weekend Sir and thanks for watching!
@@Moonfleet41 I tried swapping the relays. Still didn't crank. So either they're both bad, or it's something else... I sure don't want to take that starter out again!
My 2012 road glide blinkers and what I came to find out my brake lights quit working (but still lit) out of the blue. After changing the blinker bulbs which didn’t work, and made sure my brake fuse wasn’t blown, I decided to pull each fuse and check them. Found the “accessory” fuse was blown. Changed it and all blinkers and brake lights now work.
Hi ...old video new question, my bike is getting nothing on pressing the starter no click ....it will fire up on putting a spanner on the 2 points on the relay ?
Excellent thank you
Very helpful ..
Awesome thanks
I put the 2 into 1 bassani header Cannon air filter E3 spark plugs in my Harley-Davidson XR 1200 X now it will not idle do you have any insight where I should go with this bike runs perfect but will not idle
Do you have a ignition switch replacement video? I've been going through other videos and I think my switch is bad. 07 Softail Deluxe. Thanks.
Del changed out my starter relay because it wouldn't start when bike is hot, but new relay does the same thing, bike runs fine otherwise,any ideas TIA
Sweet now which blades are the blades you hook the power to
Replaced both relays today and it still don't have any ignition or headlight. Found out there there is zero power going to the fuse box. Horn and taillights work. Any suggestions? Thank you.
Im still having trouble locating my relay on my newer model 2021 iron sportster 1200 .I replaced the fuses and I still have trouble turning over the engine and my bike would sometimes crank and turn over,i go for a ride and return home then the bike wont start again
Thank you! Bike died while running. Turn the switch on, no headlight or ignition. Horn and break light work. Going to replace both of these. Hopefully that solves the issue.
in a pinch could you remove the relay and cross connect a paper clip to start the bike using the female slots on the fuse box itself.
@Delboysgarage I have a 1998 Harley sportster 1200, my bike runs fine until it gets hot, then the check engine light comes on and it starts missing out until it dies. Then my head light and everything electrical goes off, then four to five minutes later my head light and everything comes back on and my bike starts up again fine until it gets hot again then it does the same thing. What could this causing this, any help would be really appreciated. Thanks
Hi bud, any ideas where I can get a 1990 FXR starter relay in the UK. No one seems to have one these days!
Cheers!
Ayup buddy, have you tried the main dealer, i believe they didn't change until recently with the new range of bikes... same for the system relay! Other than that id try AR Harley or V-Twin Mania.. failing that.. the HDRCGB forums has lots of helpful member that will know.. Good luck with it.. Del.
Thank you for another awesome content . I have a question tho , do i have to grease the relay with dielectric grease ? Thanks in.advance
That is only to keep water out, so unless it's in a spray area or liekly to get wet, then not needed.
@@Moonfleet41 peefect then. Thanks a lot for your explanation . 🙏🙏🙏
Thanks man
should you get an OEM relay or an aftermarket one?
You are exactly correct, just because you hear noise doesn't mean it's ok. There is a really thin film of silver on most good and expensive relays to fight corrosion and hold the contact point together, when that film gets lost (it does over time) then there will be no magnetism strong enough to make that contact solid enough to work correctly..Just replace the suspect relay it's cheap and will save you a huge headache later.
Yeah, there is no 'repairing' a relay aye.. they are just disposable.. this test is just to eliminate it to save the time of having to get a new one and find it wasn't that...
Good info, very nice softail. Working on my son's '96 sportster that has been sitting for about 4 yrs. I did all the preliminary maintenance and got it going. All the lights work except brake light and the horn doesn't work. There is no power to the brake contact in the socket. It doesn't matter front handle or rear pedal. I'm down to accessory circuit breaker/ relay. It doesn't have fuses. South Carolina USA
On my sportster build, i found the pressure switch jammed up, so junked it and fitted a brake banjo switch, plugged it directly into the loom, and it worked first time.
@@Moonfleet41 Thanks
Hey boss I have a 1998 Flsts that was my father-in-laws he passed away in 2011 we road his bike for a few months and parked it in the garage . We had little ones and it has set since . Changed the oil replaced starter and back just clicks won't start
TT for being down to the point I'll be to I have 04 R6 my relay doing same thing can I bypass it cause it clicks
3:08 It is not about high-voltage vs low voltage, because both sides are at about 12V voltage. It is all about the current. The relay is there to protect your ignition switch from high current (Amper). So you can control the low-voltage-high-current circuit of the starter motor with the low-voltage-low-current circuit of your handlebar switch (which could not handle the high starting current for long).
Very informative. Can you check for continuity instead?
I cannot get the fuse cover off my 2012 wide glide!
That good to know I need to watch one more time but I get I
having problems starting my 1996 Honda VFR press starter ,nothing clicking & losing charge !!
Hello delboy. Could you please help .have a 2007 sportster have no rear lights no indicators or speedo.. Have checked all fuses all good .any ideas of problem. Thank you.
Hi buddy, electrical faults really need to be investigated, the rear lights and the speedo are not connected to each other on the same circuit, do you perhaps have a wiring loom plug come undone?? Have you had the tank off?? Been messing about with things?? Did this just happen whilst you were riding?? I can only really guess without seeing the bike mate...
del, im having this issue with my cbr, my starter relay seems to be all jacked up and toast and when i turn the ignition key nothing will power on no dash nothing so my guess is, because the solenoid is toast my main fuse wont work so nothing happens when i turn the key?
No mate, that's not right... imagine it in sequence - firstly the main fuse needs to be healthy, that's like simply un-plugging the battery, it's the master fuse that covers everything... if the start relay is toast, and possibly burnt out, then it may have caused a short circuit, which simply means that electrical current gets reversed and sent back on itself so to speak, it overloads, starts getting hot, and for safety, a fuse pops! So first, with the battery disconnected, check all your fuses are ok, if your start relay is toast, as you say, then replace with a new one, then make sure your battery is healthy, and kicking out at least 12.5volts, or preferably 13volts, and then try again ! If something still pops, then you have a short circuit somewhere, which you need to trace, hope that helps a bit, Del
well the main 30 amp fuse is connected to the relay and where the main fuse is connected is badly damaged. im talking about the starter solenoid that is really damaged. here ill post a link to what im talking about www.google.com.mx/search?q=cbr+f4i+solenoid&biw=1519&bih=655&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjin97t8a3PAhXI4IMKHb7IAH4Q_AUIBigB&dpr=0.9#imgrc=q6Ol-Gzw0Xuy0M%3A
I have a 2006 Harley Davidson sportster 1200 low I went to replace the headlight with a led headlight. Now the new light won’t come on and neither is the old headlight coming on all fuses are good ??? Can someone help me??
nice to know when I break into pier pressure and get mine lol
Ha ha, once you've bought one, you'll wonder what you did without it..!
Hi!! I want to thank you for the tutorial and I new in to the HD world After 30 years riding a different motorcycles. It happened to have the opportunity to Own a 2008 HD Road King , an I’m so happy to have it but Here I’m with this codes that I got last weekend when I was getting ready to ride .- P0131,2 ,P0151,2, P0374 ,P0502, P1001 and P0572 And as you said before I spend some money I want it to see if there one thing I. An do to resolve this issues , kind of hard on this pandemic time , and get back on the road , thank you and I hope you or some of your subscribers can help me . Be safe and hope to hear from you .
Clear the codes. Turn off the bike and check to see if the codes pop up again. Check periodically.
I've wondered how to check mine as I've had to replace it four times in 15 years. IDK why it keeps going bad I live in a very dry climate & I don't get water there when washing the bike so corrosion shouldn't happen so fast? I just keep a spare on hand now
gizzy nc mine is the same starter relay switch. It's gone bad 4 times I quit buying the switch from Harley and got two, for less $ at auto center ( Delphi Co. I think ) the same style So far it's lasted & now I've got a spare
gizzy nc IDK never tested them just replaced them sometimes they'd click but not start as explained here sometimes nothing at all
Alex Ferreira Didn't know about them I'll check into it
good stuff sir, look forward to operating a multi-meter . Cheers
Sure thing buddy, it seems to be one of those mystery tools that nobody understands, but are really handy..!!!! will probably do it this week as it seems to be popular.
yeah I think there just seems to be too many options on the multi-meter ....Cheers
Hi Del and Penny, always love your videos and been following you since around 2009 when i bought my XL883N. Just re watched your video on the relay switches. I have the same problem and you mentioned replacing it for £4. Can you let me know where i can buy them. Dont want to go to dealer as they would charge the earth. Cheers Del and thanks again for all the help you've given me over the years.
Hi buddy, thanks so much for your great message, that's really cool to know you've been following us for so long... the comment I made about relays was probably a little misleading, general relays are about £4 from motor stores, but what I should have, perhaps, said is that the starter and system relays in your Harley are about £12... so not the end of the world, but they are more expensive... perhaps take a little comfort from the fact that a genuine Harley relay will have a years guarantee on it ,and at least be of the best quality for the bike specially as they can leave you stranded suddenly, without warning, so cheap relays are a false economy... good luck with it, all the best, Del
Moonfleet41 hi Del, thanks for your quick reply. Yea £12 is not too expensive. I’ll try my local Harley Dealer. 👍