Electrical systems issues - what are the symptoms, and what can you do about it? - Nick's Automotive

mechanic working on auto electrical system

Every year, vehicle electrical systems get a little more complicated. These days, many cars on the road contain up to a mile of wiring, running throughout every corner of the vehicle. With all those wires, there’s bound to be an issue at some point; Nick's Automotive in Reno, NV is here to help you recognize a potential electrical issue, and know what to do about it.

What causes an electrical issue?

Many things can cause an electrical issue. A failed component, a frayed wire, a bad ground, and so on. Most wiring is pretty durable, but years of corrosion from water damage, a hungry mouse in the trunk, or a wire that got too hot could leave you with a difficult to track down electrical issue.

How do you know if there’s a problem?

At its most obvious, an electrical issue will knock out a specific system - maybe a headlight won’t work or the heater fan won’t turn on. At its worst, an electrical issue can be a real pain to track down - there’s a slightly loose wire in a connector somewhere that causes an engine code to illuminate randomly, or an important wire under the carpet is grounding out and caused your tail lights, blinkers, and power seats to stop working. All it takes is a miniscule break in the wrong spot along that mile of wire to cause all sorts of issues.

What do you do about it?

An electrical issue could be as simple as an unplugged sensor or an obviously broken wire that is noticed in seconds, or it could be a nearly impossible to diagnose issue, that only appears when you’re turning left, uphill, in the dark, while it’s lightly raining. Electrical issues tend to develop where wires are exposed to heat and the elements, or where pinch points occur around doors or other moving parts, but might develop anywhere. Fortunately, professional technicians are well trained and equipped to diagnose and repair electrical problems, no matter how elusive. If you’re having an issue with your electrical system, and for all your other repair and maintenance needs, we’ve got you covered.

For the best repair and service shop in Reno, NV, call or stop by Nick's Automotive today.

Thank you for visiting Nick's Automotive in Reno, NV. You can count on our automotive repair technicians to keep your domestic or Japanese car, truck, suv, or van on the roads longer and safer. The top mechanics in Reno, NV for diagnostics, check engine light repair, engine repair, clutch services, and much more!