Rob:
The main purpose of an Alpine relay is to handle heavy current loads
that might otherwise damage switches or contacts.
They do this by using a smaller current through an electro-magnet to
open and close an armature and heavier duty set of points (that carries
the current to blow both horns or operate your over-drive solenoid) Your
starter solenoid is also a really heavy duty relay.
You can test them by connecting the battery to the two connections that
operate the coil and a test lamp to the connections that go to the
points. I believe W1 and W2 are the connections to the coil and C1 and
C2 are the connections to the points, but you can check this by removing
the cover (this will also allow you to see any corrosion and clean the
points if necessary).
Ron Tebo
Robert Wiseman wrote:
>
> Well after trying for a long period of time to fix my wiring, I finally made
> the decision to rewire.
>
> Today while pulling the fried harness I came across a few questions.
> On the two relays mounted on the firewall right side. #1. How does one test
> them to see if they are still good. #2. What is the purpose of a relay.
> #3. What should be connected to a relay.
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Rob
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