subject: Common Vehicle Electrical Fixes [print this page] Vehicles today are getting more and more complicated, coming off the lot with more electrical features than ever before. While that can be intimidating for drivers, especially those with no electrical background, there is no reason for the average customer to fear doing basic auto repairs on their vehicle's electrical system. Many of the problems that a customer may see can be easily fixed with a quick call to AAA.
Most of the common electrical repairs that can be done only require simple everyday tools. A screwdriver, a socket set and a flashlight are all essential tools for electrical repair. (Although proceed with caution here to avoid a nasty shock.) The basic repairs to perform fall in three categories. Vehicle lighting, including headlights and taillights, require bulb changes. Some vehicle features may not work due to a blown fuse. Vehicle wiring can be visually inspected to see if there is a short circuit or open circuit causing a failure. We will talk about each of these items in more detail.
Lighting Fixes
Headlights, taillights and other lamps on your automobile can have burned out bulbs. There are two things that you need to know in order to replace the bulb. The first is what type of bulb you need. There are industry standards for bulbs, but there are several different types of bulbs. In order to find out what bulb you need for your vehicle, refer to your owner's manual. It will tell you what bulb number is required for that light. Those bulbs can be purchased at an auto parts store or in some cases, a department store. The second item you need to know is how to gain access to the lamp. This may mean removing some type of fastening device with a screwdriver or socket set. In most cases, the lamps have been designed with easy replacement of bulbs in mind.
Fuses
Automobile electrical systems are protected from short circuits and other failures by a set of fuses. A car may have one or more fuse panels in different locations in the vehicle. A fuse may be protecting more than one feature on the car. When something stops working and you still have battery power, one of the first items to check is the fuse. After referring to your owners manual to find the appropriate fuse for your failure, pull the fuse out and examine the fuse for a failure. An automotive fuse is transparent. If a fuse has been blown, you will see a break in the metal. Replace the fuse. If that fuse also blows, you may have a short in the wiring.
Inspecting Wires
If a fuse is blown, you may have a short in a wiring harness. Without getting electrical testing equipment out, you can inspect the wires for a short or disconnected connector. There are several things to look for when inspecting the wiring. First, look to see if there is an area where the wiring looks worn through from a metal edge. Also look for a trapped wire to see if there is a pinch causing a failure. Anything more involved may require expert help.
