Single Female Lost Again

[PatriciaMB]

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.

[stevebfl]

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

[PatriciaMB]

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

[stevebfl]

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.

[G-Benz]

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...

[PatriciaMB]

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

[tefitzge]

I think maybe you mean 12-13 Volts?

[cc260E]

Once I had a battery which was empy in one day

This is what I did.
I pulled each fuse one at the time, to see which one Was discharging the battery. then I was able to get close to the problem.

And if you are familiar with Ohmeter , you can try also:
disconnet the battery,
and then measure resistance/impedance on the cables that are not anymore conneted to the battery (you should find with ohmeter at least 1KOhm in one sens and infinity in the other sens).

If you find a resistance very low ( much below 10 Ohm there is a big current leak)
This last procedure confirmed to me that I had a lamp that was permanently on which I did not notice.

An MB specialist could confirm.

Good luck

[schumi]

look at the OVP relay (on my car it is in back of and to the side of the battery behind a black plastic shield, and I think yours may be the same). There should be a little fuse on top of it. Check if that fuse is blown. If so, replace fuse. Also have someone check the voltage regulator, it screws into back of alternator with 2 screws. If the little movable brushes on voltage regulator are worn down, replace regulator (costs about $15). If regulator is bad it can blow the fuse on OVP and will keep blowing it if you replace fuse. Most of the relays are (in my car at least) in rear of and adjacent to the fuses, you have to take a few screws off to access the part that houses the relays. Relays can go bad without any visible sign so you really have to replace them with known-good ones or otherwise rule out other stuff to troubleshoot.

[tefitzge]

If the fuse in your OVP is bad your ABS dash light will be on.

[MTI]

I'm going to have to remember to dress in drag whenever I need help with relays in the future. But I draw the line at wearing heels!

[tefitzge]

spiked heels and some fish nets will get you more attention.

[theairboy]

Ya its been five days and i'm suprised the thread is only one page still. Sorry didn't want to thread jack, but couldn't resist.

Crap I probibly just pushed it into a second page!

[autozen]

PatriciaMB,
You posted this same question awhile back and received many responses. Some of the advice was good, some bad, and some advice wasn't even relevent. I suggest you do a search, pull up the thread and sort through it. The answers are there and will save everyone time.

Good luck,
Peter