How To: Identifying Electrical Problems of Your Car

Identify common car electrical problems and learn some tips and advice on how to troubleshoot it.

In the pursuit of more horsepower and speed in cars, today’s race cars have come a long way. It is a fact that a race car or any car for that matter is composed of a maze of wires, fuses, and other electrical parts that the failure thereof results in having trouble in operating the vehicle, poor driving condition, and even render the car non drivable. Now more than ever, modern cars are highly-reliant on electrical systems to work and function properly for more optimal performance. The majority of the functionality of the car is mainly controlled by the battery, alternator, and other electrical systems. And their keeping in great shape is vital when it comes to car maintenance.

In order to start your car, turn its lights on, or even just making the radio work in a car, electricity must be running. It’s the same for a race car. However, you may be times that you will experience various problems in your car’s electronics that can definitely cause issues that will surely affect your car’s track performance. Identifying it is essential in order to prevent or minimize damage to your car and can be done by having a keen eye to easily spot the signs of a faulty electrical system. But don’t fret. We are here to help you identify those problems and give some tips and advice on how to troubleshoot it.

1. Damaged Wiring

Just like all other things, a car is also vulnerable to damage and wear and tear. One of the most common signs of having a faulty electrical system in your car is when there is grounded or damaged wiring. This can be identified easily since it tends to create a buzzing sound when your car is running. The earlier you detect this problem the better. The best solution to this kind of problem is to immediately replace these wires in order to prevent further damage.

The rule of thumb in securing your wiring is that you can never use enough zip ties. Still, the best way to prevent issues in your car’s wiring system is by securing it since a car’s movement causes vibrations and vibrations are a constant issue when it comes to your car’s wiring.

2. Failure To Crank Properly

When a car’s engine is not cranking properly, the most common reason is that it could be a bad battery, alternator, or other unrelated electrical problem. The need electrical power in order to start so a battery that provides spark which in turn ignites the fuel in the engine, is essential. The issue that it will cause is “clicking” when the driver turns the key and attempts to start the car. The meaning behind this is that the current flow in the system is not enough to engage the engine. Usually, this is caused by either a discharged or bad battery or it due to an issue in your starter. If it is the latter, the most common sign is that there will be a grinding noise when cranking.

3. Regularly Blown Fuses

The major purpose or function of a car fuse box is that it is designed to prevent the car from short circuiting and overcharging by breaking the circuits. Taking care of the car fuse is imperative in maintaining the good condition of the vehicle as it protects the electronics therein from getting damaged. Sure, a fuse may blow for no real reason at all but if it regularly blows, there could be an underlying electrical issue present. It may be hard to identify the reason it keeps on blowing regularly but one of the common and possible reasons is that it could be one of the components in the system that is sending excess current through those fuses. The best solution for this kind of problem is to have your car system checked by a technician or electrician in order to locate and specifically pin point the culprit so that the faulty wirings can be replaced immediately.

4. Faulty Headlights and Other Lights

A lot of accidents may happen due to a car’s headlight or its other lights not working properly. The car’s lights are deemed as an important safety feature since it allows the drivers to see while driving during the night. The turn signals, brake lights, headlights, and even the interior lights and lamps help ensure the safety of the driver since, as mentioned, they assist the driver see while driving at night. It is one of the most vital car parts that is the electrical system controls. So if various lights of the vehicle seem to dim, it may be because of the electrical system malfunctioning. It could be because of a dying battery, faulty alternator belt, or loose wire.

This kind of car electrical problem can be diagnosed by the driver himself if he has a voltmeter handy. Otherwise, the car should be immediately taken to a mechanic for a full analysis.

5. Burning Smell of Plastic

In case you experience any of the above car electrical problems along with the smell of burning plastic or electrical insulation while driving your car, the driver must stop on the sides immediately as a precautionary measure. This is a sure sign of an electrical malfunction in the vehicle. It can either be because there is a short circuit, or because of a blown a fuse, and it can even happen while starting the car.

Should the driver encounter this, the best solution is to turn off the engine at once and remove the wiring or parts that are damaged to ensure that the vehicle will not catch fire and also as prevention for any further damage to the car.

There are other electrical problems that you may encounter as you drive your vehicle, but the foregoing are the most common among them. We hope to help you gather insights regarding the matter and the most important thing to remember is that when you encounter any problems with your car, you must be able to fix it quickly to avoid any more damage.