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How do you test a car relay?
Some of the electrical components in my car have been wonky for a few days. The lights aren’t working well and the air conditioning is unreliable, to say the least. Is there an easy way for me to test the car relay so I can find out if it’s broken?
Joshua Levy · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
We’re so sorry to hear you’re having car trouble! Luckily, relays only cost between $100 to $200 to fix.
But before you lay out the money for repairs, follow these steps to test your car relay:
- Check under your hood or in your owner’s manual for a power distribution center (PDC). PDCs are maps that can help you identify the location and purpose of each relay, which should make it easier to identify and locate the relay in question.
- Once you’ve located the relay, lightly hold it and have someone start the engine. If the switch clicks to a new position, then it’s working! If it doesn’t, move to the next step.
- Firmly grip the relay and pull it out. You may need to wiggle it a bit.
- Inspect the relay for any damages like corrosion or warping. If you find something, get it replaced!
- Check the relay’s terminal for any additional damage.
- Use a multimeter to make sure the current is passing through the relay. If it isn’t, then it’s time to get a replacement.
While fixing a relay isn’t too difficult, finding it and testing for damage can be a bit technical. It may be best to leave jobs concerning your car’s electrical components to professionals. Little mistakes in your engine can cause big issues, and facing
mechanical problems
on the road can be frustrating and dangerous.To make sure you’re covered in the case of mechanical breakdowns, get roadside assistance with
Jerry
. The Jerry app’s leading roadside assistance connects you with their nationwide network of over 50,000 service providers and includes jump starts, towing, lockout services, and more for as low as $4.16 a month!View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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