Starter relay amperage

1999 MERCURY COUGAR
280,000 MILES • 2.0L • 4 CYL • 2WD • MANUAL
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DCOATES35
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I changed my starter a few weeks ago and now my car isn't starting. I had a relative look at it and he said it's my starter relay. So he switch the starter relay (R7) with the high speed engine fan (R8) and it started right up. I looked in the manual I have and it doesn't tell me the amperage for the R1-15 or whatever to get to replace any of them. Are all of the same amperage, if not what is the amperage for the high speed engine fan so I can at least replace that one immediately?
Aug 10, 2020 at 6:16 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Good morning,

They are different part numbers so I would put the fan relay back where it is supposed to go and replace the starter relay.

I attached the parts for you. The starter relay is 70 amp as marked. The fan is not marked but only has a 30 amp fuse controlling it so it is a different rating.

Roy
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Aug 10, 2020 at 7:03 AM
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DCOATES35
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Thank you very much for the quick reply. Thank you for stating the need to switch them back. Those fuses do not match the female part on my vehicle. I attached a couple of photos to show you what it looks like. The relay I need has four prongs and it's the brown relays that you see in the photo.
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Aug 10, 2020 at 7:33 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Both relays I attached are 4 prong relays.

You are welcome.

Roy
Aug 10, 2020 at 7:48 AM
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DCOATES35
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The four prongs are not aligned the way the housing unit is. I thought this picture was on the other response. There are two that face each other length wise that are small. Then there are two width wise.
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Aug 10, 2020 at 8:13 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Can I have your complete VIN number?

Roy
Aug 10, 2020 at 8:24 AM
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DCOATES35
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Yes sir. 1ZWFT6037X5646818
Aug 10, 2020 at 8:32 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, thanks.

They are both 70 amp relays.

Get the replacement for the starter and put the one for the fan back in its original location.

Roy
Aug 10, 2020 at 9:05 AM
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DCOATES35
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Where can I find these 70 amp relays that are designed the way I need them to be? I have checked almost every where for them.
Aug 10, 2020 at 12:56 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Either a parts store or you can go to Ford.

Roy
Aug 10, 2020 at 1:02 PM
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DCOATES35
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I guess this will be a needle in the haystack search. I checked all of them and the only ones they have like that are 20 amp and I need 70 amp correct. There's one on Rock Auto but it only states that the voltage is 12 2H, is that what I need.
Aug 10, 2020 at 1:09 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Correct. The voltage is correct for the fuse.

Get the one from rock auto.

Roy
Aug 11, 2020 at 4:07 AM
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DCOATES35
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Thank you.
Aug 11, 2020 at 6:48 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy
Aug 11, 2020 at 7:01 AM
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DCOATES35
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So I finally found the relay I needed but my car doesn't want to start. I played around with the wires from the alternator to the starter and it cranked up. I checked to see if anything was loose but can't find anything.
Sep 3, 2020 at 8:22 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, so now you can get it to crank but not start?

Roy
Sep 3, 2020 at 8:25 AM
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DCOATES35
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I got it to crank and it worked for a day, but the next day it wouldn't do anything.
Sep 3, 2020 at 8:34 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Did you grab the wires again as you did before?

Can you upload a picture of where you grabbed the wires?

Roy
Sep 3, 2020 at 8:48 AM
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DCOATES35
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No, not that time, but I will try again and get a picture.
Sep 3, 2020 at 8:55 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, keep me updated.

Roy
Sep 3, 2020 at 9:02 AM
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DCOATES35
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When I tightened the red wires on the alternator and starter the car cranked. But it didn't crank the next time I did it.
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Sep 5, 2020 at 3:20 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, you have something in the harness that making the connection intermittently.

I attached a diagram for you.

Check the relay for power when it does not start. I am wondering if you are losing power to the control sod when it does not start from the ignition switch.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Roy.

Sep 6, 2020 at 3:59 AM