So today the Camaro overheated again in city traffic. It would not cool off, but the whole day it didn't overheat; even a trip about 20 minutes away and back. After we got back it was shut off (it didnt start overheating until in city traffic) and I noticed this:

1.)
http://img284.imageshack.us/img284/3512/dscf04070cy.jpg

2.)
http://img284.imageshack.us/img284/1329/dscf04087kr.jpg

3.)
http://img284.imageshack.us/img284/1596/dscf04090zd.jpg

4.)As you can see the relay area seem to be in bad shape... (Yes there's a lot of leaves too...
http://img284.imageshack.us/img284/4483/dscf04100jn.jpg

What relay is this and what could be wrong?

Thanks in Advance! :thumbsup:

EDIT: Looks to me like the Mass Air Flow relay?

ricc, what year camaro? model etc,

Oops :clonk:

A 89 Camaro V8 305 5.0L

If your car has an electric radiator fan, and I'll bet it does, that's probably the fan relay.
The fan isn't needed at speeds above 35 mph because enough air is flowing through the radiator. At low speeds the fan kicks on to compensate for the low air flow. This would explain it overheating in city traffic and not on the highway.
It almost looks like something was chewing on the relay or it could have gotten brittle from heat and age. Find the plug that goes into the empty relay and plug it back in. Also pull the other plugs out of their relays and check for corrosion or burned pins.
It probably wouldn't be a bad idea to replace the relays considering their visual condition.

It does have a electric fan. And would the eletric fan coming on somtimes when the key is turned to the run position (not starting) be a cause of the cracked/burnt relay?

EDIT: It does come on at the correct temp. however
EDIT: It is the fan relay that is broke. Getting a new one today :thumbsup:

Here's a few shots of what was left of the old relay:

(Click to enlarge)
http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/5749/dscf04272nv.th.jpg (http://img226.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf04272nv.jpg)

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/9691/dscf04286ta.th.jpg (http://img226.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf04286ta.jpg)

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/9672/dscf04291cx.th.jpg (http://img226.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf04291cx.jpg)

Interesting what a relay looks like. Never seen inside one. :clonk:

Just thought I'd share what I found. Got the new relay; but havent had a chance to get it in yet.