Volkswagen Relay

Volkswagen Relay for a Better Current Flow

Volkswagen cars have developed millions of loyal followers around the world because of their efficiency and affordability. The overall performance of a Volkswagen car depends primarily on the proper maintenance of its parts. And parts that can usually have the problem with burning and overheating are the parts that make use of electricity or current. An example is the relay.

In your Volkswagen car, a relay lets you switch a device which draws more current than is provided by an output of a switch or component. The relay allows you to switch devices such as headlights, parking lights, horns, engine computer, etc. with low amperage outputs. A relay is an electrical switch that opens and closes under control of another electrical circuit. Originally, the switch is operated by an electromagnet to open or close one or many sets of contacts. It was invented by Joseph Henry in 1835. It is also considered as an electrical amplifier since it is able to control an output circuit of higher power than the input circuit. Relays are also used in various kinds of ways. These are: to control high-voltage with a low voltage signal; to control a high-current circuit with a low-current signal; to conserve energy; to perform logic functions; to perform time delay functions and to isolate the controlling circuit from the controlled circuit when the two are at different potentials.

Connector failures, like the connections to a relay, are usually the cause of most automotive electrical and electronic components. The current flow through the relay heats up the relay, which in turn heats up the connector. The connector looses its grip with the relay and as the connector itself begins to overheat from its new resistance to current flow. Before you know it, you already smell something hot or burning and later on, you'll be seeing the plastic around the connector melting. Eventually, the relay itself fails.

Let's take for an example the relay of the Digital Motor Electronics (DME), an automotive engine control system. Among the symptoms of a failing DME relay is difficulty or failure in starting the engine when it has been shut down and the tendency of the engine to suddenly die while driving down the road. Another example is the fuel pump relay. Basically, a hot relay is a bad relay. It should not be hot, even though the fuel is drawing too much current. However, a relay failure in this situation can also be attributed to a cold solder joint, bad crimp joint and bad relay contacts. Among the indicators of a fuel pump relay failure are a no-start engine and usually a burnt smell.

A relay failure can either be fixable or non-fixable. So it's important to inspect them every now and then and replace them when the need arises to avoid danger and further damage.

Volkswagen AC Fan Relay - Volkswagen Cordia

Fits: 1989 - 1991 Volkswagen Cordia AC Fan Relay
Part #: R1144-25939

Price: $77.24

Please select your make and year above to find these Volkswagen Relay Specials and More!

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Volkswagen Auxiliary Fan Relay - Volkswagen Golf GTI

Fits: 1985 - 1992 Volkswagen Golf GTI Auxiliary Fan Relay
Part #: P2059-39560

Description: With retrofit

Price: $32.14

Please select your make and year above to find these Volkswagen Relay Specials and More!

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