Drivers side valve cover relay.

[davejay]

Hey,
What is the function of that relay on the drivers side valve cover. It's got 4 wires going into it. It's about 2 3/4 wide about an inch and a quarter long and about 3/4 on an inch thick. I ask, because the connection is all funky. Almost like it gets hot and melts a little.
Is it nessessary. Who does it relay. Thanks DJ

[Waipio Rim]

There might be a starter relay in that neighborhood.

[davejay]

Hey,
It could be a starter relay. In the front dr side, there are wires that are the same size and color as these going to the relay. Could be blinker or marker light things. I haven t really spent to much time thinking about it. Just thought maybe someone may know about it. Thanks DJ

[bkahler]

The relay on the passenger side that is mounted on the bracket holding the dip tube is a starter relay to help in hot start situations. The relay on the driver side is most likely an emissions relay. At least it was in 86.

[davejay]

Hey,
I think your right. When we bought this unit, it had no emessions stuff on it. It doesn't appear to go anywhere, or do anything. Thanks, I lol just leave it there plugged in. It's not hurting anything. Thanks again. DJ

[dadstoy]

Is this the relay you're talking about? I've been trying for 10 years to figure out what it does.

[Waipio Rim]

If anybody has a part number or source for that starter relay, I need one.

[bkahler]

This is the one I used.

ford starter relay

[davejay]

Hey,
Yup, that's the one. It's got a yellow,blue, black, and I think a white wire.
I'm thinking it's got something to do with the outside marker lights.
Could it be a voltage regulator for lights? That wire group goes down the left side of the motor by the master cylinder. DJ

[dadstoy]

I figured out what this is...engine speed switch.
see the following link for an explanation...


https://www.autozone.com/repairguide...00c1528004c499

[davejay]

Hey,
Wow, you are something, you took the time to look that up? Thanks, who d ever thing that relay had something to do with the carberator.
Well, I now have a FI tech fuel injection system installed on the 454. So this relay is not needed. You think I should disconnect it? Could it mess with the timing being it works with the tach. Thanks again, DJ

[dadstoy]

If you live in a state that does not require smog checks which I assume you do since you installed a FI system, you could remove it. It only takes a tach signal from the distributor to turn on/off the relay at that certain drop in rpm. So no affect on any other operation of timing etc.

One of the reasons I finally wanted to figure out what it was for was in case it went bad out on the road and I was wondering if it would stand me. I’m not worried about it now.

I’m jealous because I would love to remove the Quadra jet and install a throttle body FI like you did but living in California, I can’t change or remove a single thing and still be smog compliant.

Oh boy, I can here the non-Californians chiming in already, but I have to tell you that I’ve lived here for 52 years and it sure is nice to be able to breath fairly clean air. For example, my tool truck is a clean idle diesel and it sure is nice to be able to let it run all day in order to run the A/Cs.

If I were you, I would at least keep all the old carburetor and smog parts for that day when you might sell your coach and that one and only buyer lives in one of the ever increasing in numbers smog states.