The purpose of the load reduction relay is to open all the circuits relating
to lights and accessories (unnecessary loads), when the ignition key is
turned.

This provides the starter circuit with the maximum possible amperage on
starting.

If the load reduction relay is troublesome, sometimes it helps to remove it
and slightly "splay" the connecting terminals, then re-insert it. This helps
because sometimes the connectors become loose over time.

Marshall Ruskin
84 Westy.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Hundt" <dhundt@PCEZ.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, April 15, 2001 7:59 PM
Subject: Re: Load Reduction Relay: what's it do?

> jeff,
> I'm not sure exactly what it does, maybe it's just a little box full of
> magic. I had the same symptoms with mine, replaced it and all was well. It
> was only a couple bucks, pretty common in a lot of applications. I think
> it's also known as an x-relay.
> Good luck,
> Don
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Jeffrey R <Oxroad@AOL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Sunday, April 15, 2001 5:07 PM
> Subject: Load Reduction Relay: what's it do?
>
>
> > Two questions please:
> >
> > Part Number: 171 937 503
> >
> > 1.What does the Load Reduction Relay do? (It's mounted on top of the
fuse
> > box)
> >
> > 2. It seems mine is bad. It has to be shaken a bit to make it work
> sometimes
> > and the connection of the four wires to it seem good so I'm not blaming
> them
> > (even just cleaned the contacts and all). For example the windshield
> wipers
> > won't work--jiggle the yellow and black wire coming off the relay and
the
> > wipers come on. Also it would SEEM the relay stays engaged after the
> engine
> > is turned off. I would think this is not normal. I'm basing that
> assumption
> > on the fact that the rear heater fan and sometimes the windshield wipers
> will
> > run after the engine is shut off--then after a minute or so they'll shut
> off.
> > For better or worse I've opened the relay to look at it's innards. And
of
> > course now that I have it open it works correctly--if in fact it was
ever
> to
> > blame. Maybe just enough josteling to have it work for a while? So the
> > question:
> >
> > Does this relay simply disengage power to rear heater fan and wipers and
> the
> > like when the starter motor is engaged and then complete the current to
> > accessories when the engine is running and then cut off the circuit when
> the
> > key is shut off? Or is there more? And might I get away with replacing
the
> > relay or is it something else down the line that would cause it to
> > malfunction? (Wires from the load reduction relay seem to also go to the
> A/C
> > relays or maybe aftermarket cruise control relays among other things.
> > Whatever the case those relays (A/C or cruise control) will click on and
> off
> > when the key is ON and the load reduction relay is jiggled slightly.
> >
> > Any help will be appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks
> > Jeff
> > 83.5 Westy
> > LA,CA
> >