Hood up and head scratching as we speek

[DBCooper]

Shutdown solenoid relay questions

My truck wouldn't start today, so I held up the shutdown solenoid and had a friend crank... started right up. Under the hood to the center of the truck (but not quite) there are two relays. The drivers side one was there, but the other wasn't plugged in to anything. I could have sworn that it was used for something, but after MUCH serching under the hood, I can come up with no extra plugs that need a solenoid to go to. Got any ideas?? Is the larger of the two the shutdown, or do they work together somehow? As an update, I have found that it is the relay, as I put power to the solenoid and it snapped up quickly. I also have power to the correct terminal on the small side of the relay telling me my starter switch is working. So, I guess my real question is what the heck is the other relay for?? Also, anyone have a part number for the Radio Shack relay? The guy there looked at me as if I was on crack when I brought my old one in. Again, thanks for any input.

 

[swamp rat]

DB,

I believe the one to the left of the shutdown relay is for the intake heater.

 

[DBCooper]

swamp rat, I've been looking at the archieves and found that the smaller of the two (to the center of the truck) is either as you say, or the fuel heater relay. I still can't figure out where the other end of the plug is for it, but will start to look now that I know what it may do. Thanks for your post.

 

[danandamy]

There should DEFINITLY be a plug in both of those relays. I don't remember which is which, but one does the heater, the other has to do with the solenoid.

 

[DBCooper]

danandme, I've been able to find the part number I asked for ealier. They are Borg Warner R3225 and Echlin fuel shutoff relay part number (for NAPA) ECHAR636. Sound right? By the way, I would think that I could trace the wire from the fuel heater to the relay. Problem is I don't know where the fuel heater is located. I really need my book!. Thanks.

Dan

 

[danandamy]

Yeah, that part number sounds right. The fuel heater is located right at the bottom of your intake manifold. I believe the wires from the relay, however run to the two small relay like chingasies down on the drivers side fender. That missing plug has got to be up there by the relay somewhere.

 

[Bill Lins]

D. B. , Check to see if your truck is subject to the recall for missing fuel heater wiring. Mine was built in Sept. 1997, and about June 1998, I got a notice that my fuel heater wiring was missing. I had never noticed! The way our last two summers have been, I think I need a fuel COOLER!

 

[Bill Lins]

Originally posted by danandme

The fuel heater is located right at the bottom of your intake manifold.

Actually, that's the intake air heater. The fuel heater is in the bottom part of the lift pump.

 

[GBall]

DB I will take a look at my truck looks like we have the same rig and I am just down the road from you. Let me know what you find and will get back to you as well

 

[DBCooper]

Thanks for all the info. I looked for well over an hour last evening to find the missing plug. Never did. I'll check for the recall with the stealer today to see if it had ever been done. The truck spent years in Ft. St. John Canada so I would think they would have noticed if it had never been there.

Is the harness to the heater seperate from other harnesses? If it is, maybe mine just fell off. I've seen some weird stuff with trucks, but this is near the top of the list.

Thanks again. My next stop is at NAPA for the shutdown relay.

Dan

 

[Joe G.]

Dan,



You should do a little trouble shooting before throwing money and parts at it. If your truck is like my '95 there is a large three wire connector above the pump behind the air horn. It should be on top of the wireing harness so it's easy to get to. The wires are black, red, and white. Disconnect this connector and test the side of the connector that goes to the fuel solenoid. Place a ground on the black wire and 12 volts on the white wire with wire that is at least 10 gauge. If the solenoid lifts it is ok and your problem is somewhere else. Again, if your truck is like my '95 there is a blue wire on the positive battery post. This wire may have corroded or burnt in two. If this wire is ok then look at the larger of the two relays on the file wall on the engine side of the master cylinder.

 

[DBCooper]

Joe, thanks for the input. I've never been one to throw money at something without knowing the outcome. I did a search last evening on all what to check out and it turns out that it was the relay. Thanks again. Dan

 

[KWentling]

I went through this months back. I had the truck at the dealers for a few small warranty items and the recall. I assumed that it had been taken care of at that time, but much later, noticed that nothing was plugged into that relay. I went back to the dealer, and sure enough, they hadn't done the recall work. I waited there while it was done. It seems that a wiring change was made on the '98 model and the power to the heater is routed more directly from the power center on the fender. The fuel heater relay on the firewall is no longer used, but was not removed from the wiring harness. You should be able to trace the wiring coming from the fuel heater at the fuel prefilter. The recall installed a very short jumper wire underneath the power center to supply power to the heater wiring harness. You should check to see if the recall work has been preformed. But note, that there still will not be anything plugged into that relay. I don't have my manual handy, but I believe that I was able to confirm that in the wiring diagram. Hope this helps. Kim

 

[DBCooper]

Thanks for the info Kim. I checked with the dealer yesterday and they said that the recall had been performed. I didn't realize that the relay still wouldn't be used. The parts for the recall are still available for me to purchase since they say they already did the work. I'll trace the wires to see what's up. I have to think the heater worked at one point being this truck has seen some very cold weather.

I assume (I know, I know) the heater is what the wires are coming out of the lift pump? If not, exactly where is the heater, and what the heck are those wires in front of the lift pump for?

New shutdown relay should be in tomorrow

Thanks again.

Dan

 

[Bigramguy]

The fuel heater is in the top pre-filter assy,on the left of the lift pump. The upper wires are the temp sensor and the lower ones go to the heater.



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[swamp rat]

Originally posted by DBCooper

swamp rat, I've been looking at the archieves and found that the smaller of the two (to the center of the truck) is either as you say, or the fuel heater relay. I still can't figure out where the other end of the plug is for it, but will start to look now that I know what it may do. Thanks for your post.

DB, you are dead right. I don't know what I was thinking when I typed that. It is indeed for the fuel heater. GAG! That was so stupid of me it doesn't even qualify as being smart enuff as a Blonde moment.



I guess I've read so many posts lately about the fuel shutoff solenoid and relay, I didn't realize thats what I typed until I just re-read the thread. My most sincere apologies if I unintentionaly mislead anyone.

 

[DBCooper]

Swamp Rat, no big deal. Heck for all I knew that relay could have run the muffler bearing solenoid Thanks to everyone for the help.

Dan