I suppose you could test it by applying a voltage across two leads (the
ones on the short axis) and check the resistance across the other two
leads. I never tried with vw relays, but you can often pry the top off the
relay and physicially watch it work. These relays are a mechanical switch
where you can see the two halves of the switch come together to make the
connection when a small voltage has been applied.  Another way to test
them is just to have someone turn on the ignition and listen for a 'click'
in the relay. if it clicks, then it is working, but the contacts may be
dirty and not making a strong connection.  Hope this helps
matthew

Matthew Pollard             http://www.uidaho.edu/~poll7356
Dept. of Chemistry               http://www.chem.uidaho.edu
University of Idaho                   http://www.uidaho.edu

On Fri, 26 May 2000, Chris Stinson wrote:

> Is there any way to test whether the various relays in the Vanagon
> electical system are working... other than having a new one and
> swapping it with the questionable one?  Resistance tests?
>
> Chris
>