Any guesses what this relay is for?

2005 double cab. Pulled the driver’s panel to pull the speaker and finally make an effort at swapping the actuator since that power lock hasn’t worked since I got the truck. Foam around the stock speaker is thrashed and I planned to cut it out of the original housing and mount a new 6.5 into that. Debating on adding an amp while I’m at it, with the largest downside being running new speaker wire to the speakers.

I was expecting everything to look completely factory but the relay, wiring through the door jam, and butt connectors in the photo sure looks otherwise. There was some sloppy electrical tape around it as well. I added the zip ties to hold up the switch panel while I have the door panel off.

I’m hoping to get an idea what all was done to the truck and why since it’ll be a few days before I can mess with it much. I haven’t pulled any of the other door panels yet.

Thanks for any guesses or ideas.

 

You'd have to trace the hot lead from the relay to see where it goes to find out what it does. Maybe this is someone's very shitty, cheap way of making the passenger window roll down automatically too. I don't know, and honestly can't tell you without being there in person from this picture.

Can you provider close ups of the relay, the harness coming out of the relay, and the wiring it's connected to showing each t-tap connector?


What options does your truck have?
JBL audio package?
ABS?
4WD?
VSC?
Sunroof?
The more details we know about what your truck is supposed to be equipped with, the better someone can help you.

 

@shifty` got any guesses Mr. Seen it all, done it all?

 

Without seeing more closely what wires they're zipped onto, my best guess is it's probably something an alarm installer hooked up for either to roll-up windows and/or remotely unlock/lock doors. If you got a closer shot of what wire they're clipped onto (and goddammit I hate those wire-butchering style of T-taps) I might be able to look back thru the 2005 EWD and figure out what all they're teeing into.

Futhermore, I'm curious what the hell the frankenstein speaker wire is through the hole in the door with no protective grommet - sketch as hell.

Lastly, I'd love for you to look under the dash for any unidentified black boxes that would indicate an aftermarket alarm is installed, because this will likely cause havoc on you later down the road, they always do...

 

You gotta give me time to type up a post
And hey now, I'm not a know-it-all, don't make me revert my signature

Some folks like to have extra, custom features on their alarms, and any good alarm supports it, like double-tap the key fob, and it rolls the windows up or down remotely. Anybody who knew wtf they were doing would typically intercept that lead on the cab side, though, not install the relay in the door, where it's exposed to the elements, unless there's a damn good reason not to.

Really, to speak with confidence I would need:

• Close up of the T-taps and butt spliced wiring to see what they're tapping off of and what color wires they're using to the relay
• A shot of the relay which clearly shows the pin layout diagram, and the colored wires touching the pins, incl. mystery speaker wire
• A shot of the other end of the mystery speaker wire (and FFS, get that speaker wire out of the metal door or install a grommet!!)
• A pic of any boxes (alarm brain, etc.) OP finds up under the dash, probably zip-tied up, or possibly behind the driver kick panel
• A pic of any clearly-custom/non-factory wiring they're seeing around under the dash

I hate when people do crap like this... It's been a couple decades since I was an installer, but I still have PTSD from people who rolled up into the shop with crap like this!

 

Wow, a lot more interest than I anticipated. Appreciate everyone’s input.

I’ll try to get some more pics of the wiring tomorrow if I can get home while there is still light out, otherwise I’ll try to dig into the dash over the weekend.

Truck is 4WD, no sunroof. Alarm related makes sense now that it’s been mentioned. I haven’t used the fob since I got the truck because the drivers door lock hasn’t worked, but I just tried it and it does give an audible beep that sounds aftermarket.

Still need to do the actuator and speaker swap, but maybe undoing this will be motivation enough to run new speaker wires and do a full amp/sub/receiver setup.

 

What does the remote look like?

 

If you find it has an aftermarket alarm...

• Share some pics of the brain, showing any markings on it, I might be able to tell you what make/model it is
• Share some pics of the back of the remote so we can pull the fob codes
• Share a pic of your dash, left of the steering wheel so we can see if you have a factory security system too... (you should)
• You may find other doors have the same relay, which may be impacting your locks/windows currently
• You should at least consider paying having a reputable shop (ideally one that deals with that brand) remove it and restore your wiring back to OEM
• If you choose not to act on the above, within the next couple of years you'll probably be chasing electrical gremlins...

If any shop tells you an alarm has a full-function lifespan of more than 10-15 years, they're probably not being truthful. It was my experience that 10-15 years on a quality brand (Avital, Clifford, DEI) was normal back then, and the cheaper products I'd see some people buy from JC Whitney, Radio Shack and other budget brands were lucky to last 4-5 years. I don't think much has changed, except maybe there's more China mass-production with less QC done on modern products.

I'm curious if you have any factory keyfobs also...

 

Bunch of photos below. The wiring in the interior was tucked behind the kick panel. Looks like to me like it’s connected to the factory fob, unless I’m way off about everything else.

Tried to get a photo of the dash but I’m not sure exactly what you’re looking for.

Swapped out the actuator with a cheap one I ordered on Amazon and it looks like the power locks working now. Cleaning up everything else will likely wait until I do a full audio upgrade.

Thanks again for all the input.

 

Tread cautiously. Someone previously had an aftermarket alarm installed. Per the photo I'm highlighting here. Which is silly because it had factory keyless entry, at least. Guess they wanted more features than OEM provides.



No clue what brand/make/model. You'll likely find similar relay in passenger door.

Any trusted shops near you? Who'd be capable of doing a good job of un-wiring all the garbage?