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A/C Relay question
Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 8:53 pm
by QuickDrive
According to the parts manual, and some wiring diagrams It seems that there are 4 main fan relays powering the HVAC and AC system.
I've got a blower problem as listed in another post and was told by subaru that I can just swap the relays to see which one is shot with the a/c relay, seeing is that I don't need the a/c for the winter...
They also mentioned that I need all 4 relays in that panel to ensure that the Radiator fans work... This is where my question stands... is that true? Can someone decypher the electrical diagram here for me
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com:8 ... ngdiag.jpg
versus this one
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com:8 ... ngdiag.jpg
From what I see they are one in the same, and if the main fain relay goes out that means the rad fans are dying too, but mine are working fine...
Anyway I ordered the part that I think is what's the problem..
I'll hope to get out and troubleshoot it sometime this week or next, damn weather.
Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 11:24 pm
by vrg3
The radiator fan still works even without those 4 relays. I drove my car for a year without the relays in place, and burped my cooling system a couple times so I know the fan turned on.
It's possible that the sub fan doesn't work without the relays... I never really checked.
Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 11:56 pm
by QuickDrive
Thanks Vrg3... Verge.. that's how I read that still... anyway...
What exactly... or where exactly is the Sub fan?
Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 11:57 pm
by vrg3
The sub fan is the second fan, the one on the passenger side of the radiator. Non-A/C models don't have it I don't think.
Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2004 12:09 am
by QuickDrive
Hrmmm...
So those four relay's in the first link.
the first 2 are the Rad fans? being Sub and Main, then the last one is sub temperature fan, would that mean it's the interior blower fan? or am I off in left field...
I'm just trying to get a plan of attack going for when I try and fix my blower problem. It's gettin cold here..
Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2004 12:15 am
by vrg3
I don't know the details of which relay does what, because I don't properly understand the fan wiring, but I do know that if you're not using your air conditioning your car should be just fine if you remove all four relays.
But I don't think any of them has to do with the blower motor... The blower motor relay's mounted above the interior fuse box, isn't it?
Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2004 12:17 am
by QuickDrive
I see.....
So then, I'm not in the right location. I thought those four relays were by the interior fuseboxes... they're the 4 in the engine bay aren't they?
I wonder if those 4 relays are the same type as the blower motor....
Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2004 12:22 am
by vrg3
Right, the four are in the engine bay fuse box, and I think they're a different type from the blower motor relay.
I think the blower motor relay is the same type as the fuel pump relay, but I'm not positive. Someone on the BBS who's actually dealt with it can confirm or deny.
Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2004 1:49 am
by QuickDrive
I'll actually remove the relay myself and get it replaced..
I ordered the wrong one from subaru which I will cancel tomorrow.
Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2004 4:21 am
by Legacy777
yeah blower fan relay is up in the dash on the driver's side
http://www.surrealmirage.com/subaru/fil ... tion03.jpg
Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2004 4:16 pm
by QuickDrive
awesome josh. thanks.
I Found em. omg they're up in what I'd deem the new "pit of dispair"
I ended up hauling out the fuel pump relay at first by mistake.
There's almost 0% chance of getting into that area without removing the fuse panel.
Luckily my relay is fine...
Not so luckily it's the wiring that's messed, the harness that is tape up around the Ignition and Blower relay was pushed up very close to the blower relay connector and the wires actually look like they'e been changed..
Anyway we're bandaid fixed for the meantime. and I'm leaving my plastic panel off for the winter, just in case it moves back and shuts off again.
next summer, I'll remove the fuse panel and get in there to rewire the setup.
I do believe though, that the fuel pump relay is the same piece.. so if anyone needs to get to a junker for the blower, take the fuel one since it's 1000 times easier to get at, at least in my clusterfuck of wires...

Posted: Mon Dec 27, 2004 9:05 pm
by illnastyimpreza
woa where did you get a picture like that? My blower isnt working, but Im getting 12v @ the blower whenever car is in the run position.....could it still be a relay?
Posted: Mon Dec 27, 2004 9:27 pm
by Legacy777
picture is from the factory service manual.
If you have 12v at the blower, I'd maybe think the blower motor might be bad.
Posted: Mon Dec 27, 2004 9:43 pm
by illnastyimpreza
its wierd though...no matter what position the blower control is in(even off)...its getting 12v
Posted: Mon Dec 27, 2004 10:01 pm
by professor
check for voltage with a source that has a load, like a light bulb. It sounds like you are seeing a "phantom" 12V, one that shows on a meter with virtually no load, but vanishes when a load is applied.