F1 Pump Relay - 2002 Owners

[Kyle4200]

Hi All,

I've just received my order from the Alfaworkshop ref. F1 pump relay, when I attempted to change it I noticed the grey one installed is a Mini 30A relay (5 prong), the one off the Alfa is a black (4 prong) which isn't a Mini Relay. I believe the newer versions have Red Relays?

I hope no one else makes this mistake,

Kyle

 

[Kyle4200]

 

[CatmanV2]

Just realised I meant to say the *grey* one is a perfectly standard automotive relay, though (as is the blac one)

C

 

[voicey]

If the relay is the same as that on a 360 then I carry a compatible relay in stock.

 

[Kyle4200]

If the relay is the same as that on a 360 then I carry a compatible relay in stock.

Is it a 5 or 4 prong relay and also which colour, I believe the updated 4200 relay was used on the 360 as the old one kept failing, do you require the newer version relay (black 4-prong)?

 

[RJ237]

I replaced mine with a 80 amp relay with a clear housing that I bought off ebay US at 2 for $8.95. It works fine.

 

[mjheathcote]

My understanding is that the original 5 prong relay, the fifth terminal is grounded to earth and via a flyback diode within the relay earths any voltage spikes due to the inductive load of the F1 pump.
You can fit a 4 prong relay that will fit and work, but you aren't eliminating the voltage spikes that can occur.
You can change the relay base to a later Ferrari larger 50amp relay, and this is 4 prong and found not to have the voltage spikes.

The above is all nicely researched and written up by voicey in his article upgrading the relay for a Ferrari 360, which has the same system as our 4200 cambiocorsa.
https://aldousvoice.com/2015/10/15/ferrari-360-f1-relay-upgrade/

If you don't wish to change to relay base and keep stock, you can buy the correct 5 prong relay from BMW, the same tyco relay being used for their ABS system.
http://www.sportsmaserati.com/showthread.php/8629-F1-pump-relay-BMW-alternative?highlight=relay

I have never managed to establish whether the later 4200 or GS uses the same 5 prong relay, or was changed by the factory to a larger 4 prong higher amp relay without the 5th prong.

There was also talk of a project to add a relay circuit to give indication when the F1 pump was running when not called for, if the F1 relay failed closed (fused terminals), if you search the forum.

 

[Kyle4200]

My understanding is that the original 5 prong relay, the fifth terminal is grounded to earth and via a flyback diode within the relay earths any voltage spikes due to the inductive load of the F1 pump.
You can fit a 4 prong relay that will fit and work, but you aren't eliminating the voltage spikes that can occur.
You can change the relay base to a later Ferrari larger 50amp relay, and this is 4 prong and found not to have the voltage spikes.

The above is all nicely researched and written up by voicey in his article upgrading the relay for a Ferrari 360, which has the same system as our 4200 cambiocorsa.
https://aldousvoice.com/2015/10/15/ferrari-360-f1-relay-upgrade/

If you don't wish to change to relay base and keep stock, you can buy the correct 5 prong relay from BMW, the same tyco relay being used for their ABS system.
http://www.sportsmaserati.com/showthread.php/8629-F1-pump-relay-BMW-alternative?highlight=relay

I have never managed to establish whether the later 4200 or GS uses the same 5 prong relay, or was changed by the factory to a larger 4 prong higher amp relay without the 5th prong.

There was also talk of a project to add a relay circuit to give indication when the F1 pump was running when not called for, if the F1 relay failed closed (fused terminals), if you search the forum.

Cheers pal,

I stuck my Alfa one on EBay for £12 Free Delivery and ordered a BMW abs one.

Slightly annoying but lesson learnt for next time. SM forum strikes again!!

 

[Kyle4200]

I picked up this Relay from BMW today for £14.56, will fit on the weekend, (hopefully along with my new H-Pipe).

 

[mjheathcote]

I would recommend that you relocate the relay, just needs swinging down on the bracket, while you are at it.
Much easier to access!

 

[CraigWaterman11]

The early 4200's used a 5 prong relay, it had a universal base you could use a universal four prong relay in place instead. I ran my Spyder for years this way, and is still running that same 80 amp with the new owner. Not sure what voltage spikes you'd have coming through a 30 amp fuse. Once the amperage of 30 is obtained, the fuse is popped, it's why you could have a 50 or 80 amp relay in place and it wouldn't matter. It's why they changed the design in the later 4200's and GS. Additionally, the wide prong relay above is what you find in Ferrari, and the later 4200's and GS. It's not a universal relay. A universal relay all the prongs are the same size. Two of the prongs on the Ferrari/GS relays are much wider. You can use a universal relay in the early 4200's but you cannot used the Ferrari wide prong, which you could use in the later 4200's and GS cars. Hope this helps.