Mechanic Perspective: Top 5 Electrical Issues in Cars
This article answers the questions about the top 5 electrical issues in cars, how they happen, and what to do.
Number 1: Insulation Damage
Honestly, as a mechanic, the number one electrical issue with cars in Des Moines Iowa is insulation damage.
How does insulation damage happen?
Wires are surrounded by bonding insulation that protects the wire and its electrical functions. Problems happen when a technician diagnosing a previous issue damages the insulation around the wire by probing. If you experience damage with a previous technician you can take it back in, but we recommend switching technicians. If you’re in the Des Moines Metro area ask for Cory at Truman’s Automotive & ADAS Calibrations and I’ll correct their mistakes.
Number 2: Electrical Component Failure
The number 2 most common electrical issue we see with cars is electric component failure. These are small components around the car that run various electrical operations.
The most common Electrical Component failure issues:
- Broken Door Lock Actuators
- Broken Engine Sensors
- Broken Camshaft Sensors
- Broken Crankshaft Sensors
Number 3: Broken Wires
The third most common electrical issue we see with cars is broken wires.
The most common broken wires:
- Driver Door Jam
- ABS – Broken Wires in Anti-Lock Brake Systems
- ABS wires commonly break near the front-wheels
- Broken wires between the engine and the frame
- Anywhere wires flex
Number 4: Lighting Electrical Issues with Cars
Coming in fourth place for common car electrical issues is lighting. The most common issues are light sockets, bulbs, or wires.
Most Common Lighting Electrical Issues with Cars:
- Broken light bulbs
- Broken Bulb Sockets
- Faulty Light Wiring
Number 5: Electrical Issues with Car Starting Components
We see electrical components that impact the vehicle’s ability to start. Common electrical issues related to the engine not starting include:
Common Electrical Car Starting Component Issues:
- Corroded/loose Battery Terminals
- Starter
- Starter Relay
- Ignition Switch
- Short Circuit
- Loose wires
- Faulty Fuse Box
Signs your car has electrical issues
There are several symptoms of failing or faulty electrical components. Most frequently you’ll see a check engine light in the dash or another warning light on the dashboard. Almost any issue with newer vehicles can be a sign of an electrical system failure.
Why is my check engine light on?
Work with a technician you trust to diagnose your car’s electrical issues
As you learned by the #1 issue with the wiring, using a trusted auto body and repair shop is the make-it-or-break-it for wiring. An inexperienced technician can prod and break insulation on functioning wires.
The Key to Proper Car Electrical Issue Diagnosis
The key to proper electrical diagnosis is to hire a technician that has the proper tools and experience to diagnose the issues. All vehicle makes and models have their own electrical issues. Some are worse than others, knowing their specific issues comes with experience as an auto mechanic. We see patterns and can diagnose problems quickly.