Headlight and running light mod Qs

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

so it looks like ya dont use relay position 87a in either set up...

There are two kinds of identical looking Bosch-type 5-pin relays that use the same pig-tail.

The most commonly available has an 87 pin and an 87A pin.

The 87A will be HOT at all times that the relay is NOT SWITCHED.

When the relay receives switching power, it turns OFF the 87A pin and turns ON the 87 pin.


On the other type relay, with two 87 pins and no 87A, switching ON the relay turns ON both 87 pins.


On most relay pigtails, you can slide a jewelers screwdriver down the slot behind the flat portion of the female blade-terminal and release the 87A wire to make for a safer/neater job.

It won't just fall out; it will require some CAREFUL wiggling and pulling to get it to release.


Since most relay pigtails are under-gauged, as far as wire size goes, I usually remove and discard the 87A wire, then remove the BATTERY and LOAD wires.

I open the crimps on the BATTERY and LOAD wires, discard the too-small wire, and replace with wire of a more appropriate gauge to suit the job.

When possible, I will use a long enough piece to reach from the pigtail to wherever it is going, without having any splices.