Could someone please tell me approximately where the relay switch would be and what it looks like on a 1988 260E.
Thanks for any help.

You have assembled two generic terms for electrical components into a single unused term: relay switch. Lotta relays, lotta switches.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Steve,
Sorry I didn't know there was more than one relay. The reason I asked is that I have had probs with my car not starting. I had posted back in January and February and got lots of much needed advice. However, I got the flu and was unable to follow up.
To try to make it short as to what is going on with my car, the battery dies in a very few minutes after driving it, regardless of distance. I had someone check fuses.. Some were found to be pulling 12-13 amps using an OHM meter. There were actually 3 fuses pulling this much. We removed those fuses and the battery is fine and is holding a good charge.
Someone told me he felt the problem was with my relay switch which would "shutdown" to keep the short from burning up the wiring harness.
He told me the relay switch should be close to a fender and would be approximately the size of a pack of cigarettes. This is what I am basing my info on. Does this help any?
Thanks for any help
Patricia

There are only a couple things that use that much current normally and they are all fans. Even the head lights don't take quite that much.

There are a number of relays about the size of a pack of cigs by the passengers side hood hinge.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Sounds like they were referring to the OVP or OverVoltage Protection relay.

This relay is designed to protect the sensitive components should there be a voltage surge or someone crosses the jumper cables during a battery charge, for instance. It's not likely that this is happening though.

As stevebfl said, there is no accessory that draws that much current besides the starter. Anything drawing that much because of a short circuit or crossed wires would result in a fire!

Do you happen to know which fuses were disabled (i.e. what assesorries would operate if the fuses were replaced)?

Finally, does your car have any aftermarket accessories installed? I had a vehicle with an aftermarket alarm in which a faulty brain drained the battery in a few days...

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

The fuses we pulled that were pulling that much were the one for my radio, dashlights, rear window defroster, driver side window, and a few other small things.. Nothing that would prevent me from driving the car, however, I would like to get this apparent wiring problem fixed.
I have no added features on the car. It is as it was when it came from the factory.
Thanks
Patricia