Ok, so like a month ago one of my KC's burned out. I finally got around to sending it back.

But then, my relay took a dump. So, I put in a new relay using matt's diagram

(BTW Autozone and Advanced Auto no longer carry relays - go figure they have everything else BUT the relays) Paid $12 at napa for a relay (rip off!)

Alright, so i put the new relay in (of course why would it include a diagram, why do that, that would make it TOO easy!)

its a 40amp 5 prong relay.

So using matt's diagram, its all wired up and it all works.

BUT

When the switch is off, the lights are on, and when the switch is on, the lights are off?!

I tried swapping wires ground and load and power and all that, and the two choices i have are:

always on, and cant turn them off.

or

lights on when the switch is off, or the lights off when the switch is on.

Either way, both options suck.

I tried replacing the switch. same thing.

So where is this screwed up?

 

Is the relay you got a SPST with 2 87 pins, or is it a SPDT with an 87 & 87A pin? If it is the SPST with 2 87 pins, then that is the proper one; if it is the SPDT with the 87 & 87A pins, then you got the wrong relay.

It sounds to me that you have a SPDT relay. When the switch is off, the power is applied to pin 87A. When the switch is turned on, the power is applied to pin 87.

Make sure your relay is wired like this:

 

Maurice has it. You've used the wrong output pin on a 5 pin relay. Don't use the "center" pin, just the 4 on the edges of the relay. As implied, it sounds like pin 87 and 87a are swapped.

 

He actually needs a SPST relay with 2 87 pins. KC's wiring harness utilizes both pins for 2 lights; don't ask me why, but they do. If he uses the relay he has, then he will need to modify the wiring to move the second 87 pin wires over and tie into the outter 87 pin wire.

 

Your relay is normally closed. You needed a normally open.

 

Never heard of such a relay nor seen one.

 

There is. Most lighting relays are that way. The relays that KC sends are like that. The SPST 40A/50A relays that I have on my light bar are also that way.

If I think about it John, I will snap a pic for you!

 

It may be that I just haven't used the higher current ones. They appear to be DPST relays with a common pin 30 instead of separate ones -- sort of two relays in one housing so-to-speak (but really not, just one with two parallel instead of separate poles).

 

The local O'Reilly Auto Parts has 30A DPST (if that is what you want to call them) with the dual 87 pins in the lighting section. They say they are for wiring up high watt lights.

I like them because it makes it easier if you need to add another accessory to one switch.

Who knows.

 

all fixed. Thanks Lifted Ranger.