Should relays click when hooking ground or power

[OsideDave]

I bought a complete harness with 4 relays and fused circuits. It did not come with schematic.

I wired it with one fused power source from starter solenoid + side to relay bank as they are all jumpered together then ran what I think is the outgoing power wire thru 3 diff switches and on to my fuel pump, offroad lights, and rad fan. When I hooked ground to the relays I here a click on the relays and it appears the coil is energized the entire time. Is this normal?

 

[Broncobowsher]

No, the coils should not be energized all the time.
If you have 12V going to one side of the relay coil, the other side of the coil should be switched to ground.
If you have switched 12V going to the relays, the other end of the coil needs to be grounded.

Once you get the relays clicking on and off with the switches like you like, then worry about feeding power into them and hooking them to the loads.

 

[OsideDave]

Perhaps this harness was designed for ignition on power only? Meaning when the ign is on the coils are then energized, does this make sense.

If so, what would be easier or make more sense, hooking main supply to ign on/hot or switching grounds?

 

[garberz]

Perhaps this harness was designed for ignition on power only? Meaning when the ign is on the coils are then energized, does this make sense.

If so, what would be easier or make more sense, hooking main supply to ign on/hot or switching grounds?

No. Read what Broncobowsher wrote. Meaning the coils inside the relays are connecting the 12v.(from the solenoid to the load term# 87 on relay) to what you want to operate. No schematic, this will help. There are five tabs with #'s on the relays. 85-ground for coil. 86-trigger,12v coming from switch. 30-12v heavy gauge wire(12-10 gauge) coming from starter solenoid thru the fuse to the relay. 87-this is the 12v that goes to your lights, pump, fan, etc. I'll look for a relay schematic and post it up.

 

[garberz]

Found this. It will simplify things. http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/relays.html

 

[OsideDave]

Thanks for the help, makes perfect sense now, that see the schematic and think about it. %)