Best Muscle Cars
6 Common Muscle Car Electrical System Problems and How to Fix
by Tim Miller
Car enthusiasts encounter many problems when dealing with the car engine wiring. As much as the issues to do with fixing installation problems can be numerous, it is common knowledge that this could just be the simplest task on the car if you have the right information and tools.
The tips we bring here will try to cover how to detect some of the car charging and electrical problems and fix them without having to run to any mechanic.
1. Car current flow issues
One area which any car owner needs to focus on is in knowing how the car battery works. The battery has two terminals, the positive and negative terminals just like in all the batteries in the market.
The car batteries operate on the direct current basis and just like in the simple electrical rules, the current flow starts at the positive terminal. The car body current flow goes in one direction with the motor vehicle body acting as the grounding.
Voltage drop can occur and end up affecting the vehicle operations, particularly in the car starting system, the charging and other aspects like the automotive air conditioning. When there is an n issue with the voltage, one needs to carry out a voltage drop test, which is the surest way of discerning whether the car voltage is in order.
Voltage drop tests require the use of a multimeter which is then set up to take up the slightest readings on the car battery when the terminals are connected. While the engine is on, carry out the drop test which relies on the resistance readings.
You may do this by following the steps below;
• Set up the multimeter.
• Remove the coil wire out of the distributor cap.
• Ground the coil wire to the engine; don’t allow the engine to start.
• Targeting the battery terminals, place the positive multimeter terminal on the red signal of the battery.
• Switch on the engine while the meter reading commences.
• A good battery has 0.9 voltage drop with large amounts of resistance on it.
2. Grounding issues
The car electrical system may have issues of grounding. Weak grounding can be disastrous just like it is in the case of poor grounding. The importance of grounding on the car electrical system cannot be underrated and looking for solutions on the areas which can fall suspect like the ground strap can save a lot of time and money.
Grounding helps complete a circuit, and without it, the car operations are affected. The best fix is to check the gauge of the grounding wire if it conforms to the other wires in the circuit.
It is common for most car electrical specialists to assume the importance of the ground wire gauge.
3. Car alternator issues
The car alternator of all the electrical systems blamed for all manner of problems in the car. However, most of the alternator problems arise when the other systems within the car cannot function well.
In the case of overloading of the alternator current with several aspects of the car to run, the recipe is a burden on the battery that drains it fast. To fix an issue which could be occurring as a result of the low current from the alternator and you need to conduct a charging test on the car battery.
A simple load test is as follows;
1. Start the vehicle engine.
2. Turn on any of the other car accessories that require the use of car battery current like the lights.
3. Use your fingers to feel if the area of the charging system and the alternator if it gets warm. The heat in the area means that the high resistance levels make the loss of a lot of heat.
If the issue is at the charging, you may need to clean the battery terminals to be able to regain normal current flow with less resistance. However, it is important that when the testing happens, the battery terminals and the alternator remain intact; disconnection of the terminals may be disastrous.
Alternator issues depend on how they operate. The conventional three wire alternator from the factory usually charge the moment you start the car. However, with the increasing use of the one wire alternator, most people opt to have this fixed.
The main reason for preference of the one wire alternator is that while charging time may not be dependent on starting the car but the current and the alternator spin, it also brings with it the simplicity for those who wish to fix their cars at home. Get a one wire alternator from the shop and install it on the car engine.
4. Turn switch problems
The ignition switch performs many car tasks, yet most people think it only has one function. The amount of problems one may experience when the switch fails is tremendous.
Fixing issues with the switch which may range from failing horn functions to the wearing down of the switch can be easy. You may opt to grease the areas which are getting worn out, but the best alternative is getting a new switch and fixing it on the ignition.
In severe cases, there are instances when the engine switch won’t work, and one may opt to carry out a simple test light diagnosis. Test light diagnosis is made by;’
1. Removing the boot terminal on the starter solenoid terminal
2. Turn the car engine as you carry out the test light diagnostics
3. Failure to activate means the start switch at the ignition and the terminals are faulty and needs replacement.
5. Headlight issues
Car headlights perform a fundamental role in car electrical system. The main reason for this is primarily because of their control of certain aspects on the dashboard. When the lights fail, the dash lights will fail as well and pose a security risk on the car use.
The biggest problem with the failure could be on the rheostat spring, a small circuit which connects the headlights and the other aspects of the car electrical system. You may need to look if the spring is rusty and oil it or if it has dead spots, then replace it may be an ideal option.
At times, car lights could just flicker which could arise from issues to do with connections or the alternator. Issues to do with battery need to be checked and if the battery isn’t charging, get a new battery.
In spite of all these, fixing issues which are internal to the headlight system may need a wiring expert.
6. Connection issues
Many are the times when many car mechanics forget to insulate wires they have used in the engine connections. Proper insulations help in increased safety of the car as well as making the car engine connections neat.
Using the right tools to crimp the wire ends and insulate is an essential part of solving the issue. Good connections on the terminals are also necessary and because the cables are usually color coded, ensure you understand where each cable belongs when making own connections to the car.
The easiest way to allow you to remember is when you take photographs of the connections. However, when all is done, arranging all the wires within the engine compartment is essential to remove the mess typical on most engines.
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