Top 6 Car Electrical Problems and their Causes
It does not matter if you own the latest automobile or an old one as certain problems are common in all of them. Yes, you guessed it right! We are referring to electrical issues. Sooner or later, vehicles develop electrical problems, and there is no reason to blame the manufacturer. The reason is that they try their best when it comes to quality control and assurance. Therefore, you are likely to experience at least one of these problems in your automobile’s lifetime.
Top Electrical Problems in Automobiles
Please keep in mind that these problems are easy to identify and fix. The reason is that modern vehicles are like computers on wheels. All the repair workshop needs to do is hook it to a computer, and it will do the rest. Based on the diagnosis, the repair shop will provide you with a list of possible fixes and a price quote. Therefore, do not overthink about the problem, although it can be frustrating. Anyhow, let us start.
1. Dead Battery
Most car batteries have a maximum life of 5 years. Therefore, even if you use the car sparingly, you will have to replace the battery after 5 years. However, due to lack of maintenance and other problems, the battery might die out a lot sooner. It is one thing that most of us will experience at one point in our life. Therefore, it is always handy to have a jumper cable in the trunk or access a vehicle recovery service.
2. Starter
Suppose that you turn on the vehicle and it does not start. There can be several reasons, including a bad alternator, dead battery, or a faulty starter. If the car makes a grinding sound when trying to start it, it indicates a defective starter. A manual car can be started even with a bad starter by push or tow starting it. If you own an automatic car, you will have no other option but to tow it and take it to a repair shop. Although starts usually last throughout the car’s life, several things can cause it to fail prematurely.
3. Battery Cables
The battery cables are prone to damage irrespective of the car’s type. The only thing that can prevent it to a certain extend is regular maintenance. Damaged or faulty battery cables prevent the battery from charging correctly, causing it to die down. It would be best if you repaired or replace the battery cables at the first sign of damage. If you delay it, you might have to pay a hefty amount down the road.
4. Spark Plugs
Another electrical problem that many of us would have encountered by now is loose or failed spark plugs. If your vehicle experiences idling or lurching, it means that there is a problem with the spark plugs. It is inexpensive and easy to replace a spark plug. So, there is not much to worry about it when it comes to the spark plugs.
5. Insulation Damage
As mentioned earlier, vehicles nowadays are computers on wheels which means that they have many electrical circuits. If you feel a burning plastic smell, it indicates a problem with the electrical system. In that case, turn off the vehicle right away and get it towed to the nearest repair shop.
6. Bad Alternator
If your headlights or any other lights are dimming, it means that the alternator is not supplying the necessary power to recharge the battery. It is something that most of us will or already have experienced.
Wrap Up
If you are experiencing any of these electrical problems, we recommend getting them checked right away. If you delay it, you might end up paying a lot more. Thank You.