1995 F350 (gas) starter solenoid / mystery relay

[BlameCandida]

This week I picked up a 1995 F-350 (for a possible Cummins/NV4500 swap) with the 7.5L V8 gas engine and auto transmission. It has a passenger-side fender-mounted starter solenoid/relay, and I have to tap it to get it started. Upon inspection, I found that there was another relay spliced in, that I am not finding in the Chilton manual, maybe something a previous owner added. On the harness, there is a yellow wire tapped into the horn, a blue wire with an inline fuse running to the starter solenoid, and a red and a yellow wire that are both cut. If this isn't stock, all I could think it might be is from an alarm system?

Does anyone know if this is actually a stock vehicle part? Also, should I just pick up a replacement starter solenoid, or is this a user-serviceable part?

 

[TFucili]

I've had a ton of Fords, never saw a relay spliced in as you describe. I'd agree with your alarm idea. Ford solenoids are cheap, replace it.

 

[DonFitzwater]

It may be a power relay for charging batteries on a slide in camper or on a towed camper.

 

[Bill Stockard]

It may be a power relay for charging batteries on a slide in camper or on a towed camper.

Yes, that would be my guess. I had a similar relay on a formerly owned F250 to isolate the truck starting battery (when the ignition switch is off) from the batteries on a slide in truck camper that it hauled.

Bill