Car Electrical System Troubleshooting

Checking for blown fuses is a simple form of troubleshooting car electrical issues.

A vehicle that shows signs of electrical problems can be frustrating, as many people refuse to tamper with electricity. However, with the right tools and information, even a novice can troubleshoot some of today's common auto electrical issues.

Circuits & Voltage

Components in an electrical circuit cannot be powered without voltage. Therefore step one in troubleshooting for electrical problems in a vehicle is to see if voltage is reaching the circuit's load point, for example a light bulb. A test light or voltmeter will work well when performing this check.

Circuit Breakers & Fuses

An absence of voltage at the circuit's load point could be due to blown fuses or issues with the circuit breaker. Replacing fuses will often only bring about temporary fixes until the problem that caused the blown fuse in the first place is found. A jumper wire can be used to bypass a circuit breaker, allowing you to check it. A working circuit means a non-working circuit breaker.

Intermittent Troubleshooting

Intermittent electrical issues are considered to be the most difficult kind to deal with, and often stem from loose wire connections. Because of this, wiggling the wires while testing for changes in voltage could help reveal the location of the bad connection.

References

• AA1Car.com: Troubleshoot Auto Electrical Problems