Like the title says, I have a mess that I inherited under the hood of my 1972 Cutlass S 350 4bb. Could anyone please help me identify the items in the picture. If you see a black box on the left, I know that's the voltage regulator, but due to having long term brain fog from COVID I just can't remember what the items are in the picture and if I need to clean them up or remove them for my HEI that's already installed. Thanks!

 

Does your car have A/C?

 

I'm unclear what the relay is being used for in the image you posted - A/C relay(?), something else? Others may have better information. I'll post two PIM images demonstrating the locations of two relays on cars w/ A/C installed. Note the absence of one relay on cars w/o A/C. (The relay located on the right in the below image.) Sorry about your COVID fog.

 

I "suspect" the single relay in the image you posted was moved (relocated) from its original position (left of the VR) to accommodate mounting of the MOBILE ALERT Car Security/Starter Disable box. If your car has A/C the A/C relay should be located (about) above the brake booster on the RH side.

 

The relay is actually for the factory grid style rear window defroster. It is wired through the voltage regulator as seen so the grid only gets power while the engine is running. You should have a rear defroster switch on your heat/ A/C controls like the one in the photo below:

 

^^^THIS^^^

If you're installing HEI, or already have it installed make sure you carry a spare module and heat sink paste in your glovebox. You can get this on Amazon.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/ARCTIC-MX...tiv/6934553913

BTW, that's a bummer about the COVID brain fog. Hopefully it will eventually pass.

 

Excellent feedback. I remain dubious of its current location as it does not align w/ the PIM.

 

No, it does not.

 

It would not be the first time something was moved about to accommodate another device.

 

I do have a Rear Defroster, but I believe it is a stand alone switch next to the Headlight Switch since I do not have AC.

 

The Rear Defroster an in-glass grid or blower type?

 

In glass type. Thanks for those diagram shots!

 

 

Maybe my Defroster switch is at the right side of the non AC controls now that I think of it. It's been a minute since i looked.

 

Located on the left side as an accessory switch.

 

Couple diagrams. Note: Image (below) is for non-A/C car.



Non-A/C

Inside car wiring

 

It may or it may not mean a hill of beans to some, but the fact is there are actually two items: (1) The Defroster & (2) the Defogger. The Defroster (DEF) is integral to the HVAC system (e.g. blower). The Rear Window Defogger is (as you've stated earlier) a standalone Accessory device.

 

Got it. Thanks for the thoughts. It'll always be a part of me, just not as bad as it was.

 

Bingo, that is the location! Nice.