At 10:21 PM 5/12/2002, Thomas D. Hanlon wrote:
>David,
>
>Can you give me the method to test relays out of the vehicle? I have
>acquired a number of relays from Vanagons I have known,  some from junk
>yards, and some from a parts vans I've acquired.
>
>I have a digital multimeter.
>
>Regards,
>
>Tom Hanlon

Depends on what you're calling a relay -- some of those black boxes (in
particular the ones marked 25) are relays and some are fairly fancy
electronic widgets.

For a simple relay, put 12 across the 85-86 terminals while measuring
continuity on the 30-87 terminals.  Should go from infinite >> zero (a few
milliohms if you can measure that low).  You can pry the cases off and look
at the physical condition of the contacts, too.

The electronic stuff you need to know a lot more, only quick-and-dirty
method is plug it in to the right place and see if it does the job.

david

--
David Beierl - Providence, RI
  http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
'84 Westy "Dutiful Passage"
'85 GL "Poor Relation"