I was reading threads about problems that bad overvoltage relays can cause and I noticed that Benzmac made the comment, "I bet you jumped the battery recently." I have been having problems on my car with idling and hesitation which are symptoms of a bad OVR and my car was jumped a couple months ago. The guy who jumped me didn't do it right because he hooked the negative clamp directly to the battery which I know can cause electrical problems. Is this obviously an OVR problem or are there still other things to consider?

Check the two blade style fuses on top of the OVR. One might be blown.

Tom, I don't know that hooking the clamp to the negative terminal causes voltage problems, but it's not recommended by the "Experts."

Clamping to the terminals WILL cause a spark when the second clamp is applied, positive or negative. This spark CAN ignite any hydrogen escaping from the battery cells through the breathers. Thus, it's better to make your first connection to the positive terminal, and the second to the frame at some safe distance, at least a few feet, from the battery.

That said, do the voltage transients from the arcing damage the OVR? If so, does it matter where you clamp, or will damage occur anyway? What is the recommended other than jumping, especially if you're stranded away from a good battery charger? Inquiring mind wants to know :D

BCingU, Jim