Auto Electrical & Electronic Systems Repair

Electrical & Electronic Systems Repair Service

Your car's electrical system consists of the battery, starter and alternator. The battery provides juice to the starter, and the alternator gives that battery the energy it needs to power your car. If one of these parts is not working properly, your car won't start or run correctly. Until your vehicle starts the battery is providing the car's entire electrical current. This includes the current to the ignition and fuel systems, which are responsible for creating the combustion necessary for your engine to function. The battery supplies a small amount of power to the starter motor. The starter then rotates the flywheel, which turns the crankshaft and begins the movement of the engine's pistons. This intricate process is why it's key to make sure the starter works.

How do you know if you need a repair?

There are several apparent signs that one should look for to determine when their vehicle's Cooling System requires servicing!

Difficulty cranking the engine can mean an electric problem with the car. Don't automatically assume your car isn't starting because of a bad battery, starter or engine issues. There could be an unrelated defective component in the electrical system, draining your battery and preventing the starter from cranking the engine. Often the check engine light will be on with a no-start. If you hear a clicking noise when turning the key, it usually means that the starter can't get enough current flow to engage. This is usually caused by a bad or discharged battery. meaning your starter may be the issue. A grinding noise during cranking is usually caused by a bad starter or flywheel ring gear.
Dim headlights or brake lights can be an indication of charging malfunction, resistance in the electrical system, loose wires or a severely discharged battery. It is recommended to check your vehicle's alternator belt. Dim lights also indicate low system voltage. Once voltage drops below a certain level, safety systems such as traction control may disable and eventually the vehicle will stop running altogether.
The smell of melting plastic or electrical insulation is something that should never be ignored. Every electrical circuit is designed to carry a specific amount of current and when a wire or component shorts, the circuit draws more power than it can handle. Remember, where there's smoke there's the possibility of fire.
Dim lights, a grinding or whirring noise can all be symptoms of a failing alternator.

What may cause the problem and how can you prevent it?

If the vehicle does not start or even try to turn over there is a very good chance the battery is the problem. Most vehicles have a Battery warning light that will come on if there is an issue with the battery or one of the other electrical system components. In many cases a drained battery is due to the lights being left on.

Battery cables transfer the current from the battery to the electrical components, in the vehicle. If the vehicle will not start and it makes a clicking sound or the radio and other electrical components do not work, the cables could be the problem.

The alternator converts the power the crankshaft is generating into electrical energy, which charges the battery. If the alternator is not producing enough voltage the battery can go dead. In most cases a failing alternator will trigger the Battery light to come on. If the alternator completely fails the car will eventually stop running as the battery is not being recharged.

If one specific accessory is not functioning, such as the radio or power windows a blown fuse could be the culprit.