Solving Automotive Electrical Problems

30 Apr

Electrical Issues

Electrical issues are a mystery to many DIYers, as well as some technicians. I think it’s because you really can’t see or touch electricity in the same way you can with other working components on your vehicle. Sure, we can see the effects of electricity, or the lack of effect in the case of a failure, but we can’t necessarily put our hands on it like we can with other vehicle components that might fail. For that reason, we need to have a basic understanding of electricity and how it works in automotive systems before we get started.

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20 thoughts on “Solving Automotive Electrical Problems”

Hans Veen

January 12, 2024 at 6:15 pm Reply

mein honda civic 1999, EK/EJ nach Zylinderkopfdichtung weches wolle nicht starten.alle kontrol lampen brennen. verteiler ausgebaut Zündspule + modul gewechselt. läuft. habe motor abgestellt, wegen akühlwarren war noch nicht im motor, dann wollte er nie mehr starten 3 wochen suchen. verbindung vom Zündschloss zum Verteiler, kommt kein strom an. nicht zu finden. suche schaltplah. eventuel ein versteckter relaey. sicherheits schalter gefunden. perfekt. brauche dringens einen rat. Hans Ibiza Spain
Dan Kafun

June 2, 2023 at 4:03 pm Reply

Eric… having an issue with my 2004 Element.. electric windows sporadically won’t work..I believe it has to do with the wire loom in the driver side door.. Do you have any videos on how to work/ troubleshoot the wire loom where it goes through the rubber conduit from the door to the Door frame..??

Thanks

Dan
Paul

January 10, 2023 at 10:58 am Reply

Good morning. Im a ASE cert mechanic that was givin a 1994 honda accord ex 4 cyl. i put a quick used engine. I thought it would be a good idea to let my daughter use it as a car to learn how to drive in. I drove it for 2 months as a back up car and all of the sudden……. crank, no start. THIS IS WHAT I NOTICED. I turn the key to the on position…….. no fuel pump prime noise, check engine on, and d4 will flash. ALL INTERMITTINLY, you could sit and wait……. and sometimes click, all the sudden check engine light goes out, fuel pump primes and runs like nothing ever happen. MY QUESTION IS. is there a wiring diagram you may have or can get for me to start checking for powers, grounds and ignition voltages for the computer, ignition/fuel pump relay, ignition switch. Sorry to bother you. Im the kind of guy that wants to keep old cars going. Thank you in advance. Asking from Modesto, Ca
Vince

July 11, 2022 at 9:39 pm Reply

Hi Eric just watched a video of yours for the Odyssey, I have 2006 Odyssey I put a new alternator , it’s not charging, wish you were near me you are the person I would trust. I changed alternator fuse 70/120 checked all fuses with voltmeter on ohms,. I really can’t figure this out , paid extra money for new , Remy , called Remy customer service state it’s possible the regulator inside alternator is defective. I’m not a mechanic, diy took me 3 hrs to do this,I definitely installed correct.it starts then battery is drained as I check w volt meter. If you have time can you please let me know what it could be so a least I can go from there thanks
Phil B

May 3, 2022 at 2:52 pm Reply

my problem, 2015 elantra, the left turn signal lites , when turned on , blink at twice the rate as the right ones , left is abnormal condition, now if left turn signal on , and headlights turned on , the left turn lites both go off. any help here ???
Steven Ortiz

October 22, 2021 at 2:45 am Reply

Tail lights on when battery gets connected
Felix Gonzalez

September 24, 2021 at 3:07 pm Reply

I have a 08 accord and it has the vsa abs and brake light on and the dtc code DTC 121-11 I would like to know what to do because I have herd of a system update I called the honda dealer where I live and they don’t know what to do
- Peter B
  
  November 8, 2022 at 1:30 am Reply
  
  I have a 2013 CRV and a very similar problem. The VSA light comes on when in reverse and doing a turn. The code that comes up is 111-11 and here also the local Honda dealer does not know what to do.
george rodriguez

April 19, 2021 at 6:48 am Reply

inhave a ford 2005 superduty 6.0 the 10 milli wire that goes on the positived side sparks
Randy

February 15, 2021 at 12:52 am Reply

I have a 2010 dodge charge
When it’s in cruise control it starts to shuts off after a while the engine willt shut off.

The
- Ross Melvin
  
  October 28, 2022 at 10:43 am Reply
  
  HELLO…MY 30 FT. MOTORHOME HAS TOTALLY SHUT DOWN ELECTRICALLY. TURN ONTHE IGNITION AND NOTHING.. Was working fine till I parked it to winterize it..2 weeks later turned the key and nothing.Im wondering if it has lost it’s Ground….the vehicle is a 1997-98 GM Majestic Flyer ..
Remi

February 11, 2021 at 3:12 pm Reply

Hey I have a problem I have a Honda Civic coupe 2005 I have change the speed sensors que the meter will go crazy and it shift hard a want to know what it could be because I already change the speed sensors
Shane Doxtator

February 11, 2021 at 2:52 pm Reply

I have a 2007 Chevy Impala and i believe the issues i am having are stemmed from one. I was told it was a ignition problem don’t lock doors or it goes into security mode and you have to unplug battery until it resets. After i have drove it for a couple days i have realized that when the car isnt reading what gear it is in all the cluster gauges shut off and the doors start locking and unlocking, if i shut car off without seeing what gear it is in it goes into security mode. I also noticed whenthe cluster gauge goes out there is a noise by the fuse panel inside car
Areg

October 19, 2020 at 11:38 am Reply

I have an 2012 civic ex. I have only 1 working key and want to buy 1 more and program it to the car… My question is what is the proper part number for my car key and how to program it to my car?
JERRY T.

August 15, 2020 at 12:39 am Reply

I got this 2008 Chevrolet Aveo 5 4 door, can’t seem to find the power door lock relay for it the locks will trigger without hitting the key pad on my keys for it & it has drained batteries mis- firing. checked on all data but either I misnamed it or something
Nolan Ancel

August 12, 2020 at 2:57 pm Reply

I have a problem with my 2009 Mitsubishi lancer SE… I am starting to lose hope. I did a parasitic draw test and took out 2 fuses that were pulling .84A. Now my car draws .07A or around 70mA. But my battery still dies… I don’t know what to do… I really love this car but for now it isn’t really reliable…
- Scott
  
  October 5, 2020 at 7:18 pm Reply
  
  Eric: finally a mechanic who understands cars.
  
  Question: got a 2005 Chevy Express 3500, 6.0l, 4L80tranny.
  
  Problem: when idling, vehicle shakes, kinda like a misfire. Their is no code.
  
  I had a new engine installed, but new engine does same as old engine.
  
  No mechanic has been able to guide me to a fix.
  
  Any thoughts? 864-325-9939.
Juan Pendon

May 29, 2020 at 1:15 am Reply

I got a problem on my dodge caliber 2008 sxt. Horn not working. I can’t find the horn relay. Need your help.
Jonathan Vasquez

May 9, 2020 at 7:51 am Reply

Hi Eric, thank you for helping people like me fixing my own car. Have a question? My 1st and 2nd ignition coil is misfiring. They are both new with new spark plug. So i’m guessing the wire is broken is maybe the Computer module is messed up. Any tips or advice what to look for and how to fix it. Appreciate and thank you so much.
Ken Kastelic

May 1, 2020 at 2:51 am Reply

Hi Eric, Love your videos. I have an Acura Tl type S 2007 (92k mls) and love the car. Its just i gave it to my wife and it just not her type of car. Maybe a little too sporty for her. I just watched you video on replacing the timing belt and water pump before i sell it. My problem is that i do have aftermarket wheels on it and the “TPMS” light is always popping up. How do i fix that issue? I bought new sensors and had someone install them but it still is happening. I want to sell it, but I want it to be a great car for the next buyer. Thank you so much for what you do. It is really appreciated.