Am I missing something here? or am I just getting too old?

[Turbogus]

Yes, this is a soap box rant but I'll try not to embellish this.

Doing the Ford Contour/Merc Mystique coooling fan conversion I've found some odd thing transpiring...
In my area, walk into an Auto Parts shop or even a Dealer with the nomenclature of the vehicle in this case a 1998 Ford Contour 2.5 motor, radiator cooling fan relay, 70amp.
I receive a blank stare then "we have relays but I don't know the amperage"

Do the dealerships no longer have access to parts information from LAN, Internet or Ford books?!?!
Less than 5 years ago I got electrical parts for my van '81 Ford Econoline 300 ci 4.9L from this same dealership with no muss or fuss.

My best friend whom got out of the auto parts trade a few years ago (that he studied for in Community College and degreed in) can tell me off the cuff what I need only having to research briefly and that is rarely.

WTF is going on?!?!​

 

[coldair]

I get the same thing here. The other day I was needing a distributor cap and rotor I get Ummmm what part do you need? Is it under this? I want to tell them how about I just look up the part for you and you just be a cashier.

 

[Incommando]

Is there more than one relay for the same application? If they are all 70 amp maybe they saw no reason to break it down further?

 

[Turbogus]

The 70/80 amp relay (stock part) is to accomodate the initial surge of the high speed fans turning on on the '98 and other Ford/Mercs. Not an unusual or special part other than it.s high amperage handling capability.

 

[PaRenegade]

I think the problem boils down to "data input" people. When it comes to computers, data is put in by "typers". If you can type fast you can fill a job seat for data input. You don't have to understand what your typing about, you just have to do it fast, cause theres lots to input. Once this stuff is in they use it for various things, including selling it to other companies. Ever notice how the assembly diagrams on various aftermarket company websites look very similar. That's because it's the same one, input once, used by many. So if it's wrong initially those mistakes get multiplied once it's given out.

Now if you go to NAPA online, or Advance Auto, etc., their part descriptions suck. I'm pretty sure those employees are looking at the same poor amount of info about a part, that we see online. Combine that with an employee who only needs some retail skills and no background experience in the auto parts industry. Also consider that the old system is getting further and further away in the past as well as the former employees who had experience and knowledge are now retired or have changed jobs. Enter the dumbing down of America!

I find myself researching part numbers or taking old parts to the counter to verify what their computer told them I wanted with what I really want, such as bearing or seal numbers.

 

[GatorBate]

I feel your frustration. We had the best auto parts store in the nation in our little town. you could tell them you wanted a 70 amp relay and they would bring out a verity for you to chose from. Then Carquest took over and now its just another store that sells chrome air cleaners and floor mats. Good luck getting a part if you don't have make model and year.

 

[Turbogus]

So, I went back to the boneyard and found the wire and what I think are the correct relays to drive my Merc Mystique fan, but since I ran these by the Ford Dealership they couldn't tell me what they were for on account of the '98 Contour/Mystique being "obsolete".
So here are pics of what I pulled from the PDB and just need verification of low speed relay and high speed relay;


the numbers on this oversized green relay read as follows,
Ford C8F6A
93B6 8C616 AA
RELAY ASY.
ENG.COOL.
FAN CONTR.
12V-
[PA6-6F30


...and the normal sized black one;
Ford G1UHD
93BG 14N089 CA
V23136-34-X1
12V 70A
PA

​

 

[thistle3585]

I'm going to further the rant. Why can't online retailers that deal in Jeeps one, include the dimensions of a part in the item description and/or two, be able to answer that question when you call for clarification? It seems like they believe that by saying "stock" in the description with the year is sufficient. Having a Jeep that was built in December of '78 but is titled as a '79 has been a pain in the butt. My Jeep apparently was a transition year because I have parts from '78 and '79 on it. I had to return most of the brake parts I ordered. I need brake extension lines and the description is "4" longer than stock". I don't know that what I have is stock. I don't even know what the stock length is supposed to be. Why not say 16" long. This simply makes projects drag out much longer than they need to since a lot of times you don't find the error until you're already in to the project.

 

[Turbogus]

Haaaaaaaaaa!
I've got the wires secured into the plug as best as I can but do you think I could find these



(.375/9.5mm Flat Plug Sleeves with catch) within a 50 miles radius?