About the main electric systems of the car. Consider a different tag for radios and other such systems.
8
votes
3answers
7k views
Battery drains by itself when vehicle is parked (parasitic draw)
A 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee has gone through 3 batteries in the last 3 months. While they have all been replaced by warranties, it'd be nice to get the problem solved permanently. I've tested the ...
8
votes
4answers
765 views
2000 Jetta runs rough, shutters on cold start only on wet days.
This is an issue I've had off and on for, embarrassingly, at least a year:
On misty or wet mornings, everything starts out fine but, a few minutes into the drive (like clockwork. I even know the ...
7
votes
2answers
179 views
My mazda milenia wont rev past 2500 rpm
So I just recently bought a 2000 Mazda Milenia s Millennium edition,and on my first day out with it, I experienced a very unusual problem. After about 20 minutes of driving the car wouldn't rev past ...
7
votes
2answers
5k views
What is BCM(Body Control Module) in a car?
I own a Fiat Grande Punto. Recently I was told by the authorized auto workshop that the BCM in my car has failed and needs to be fixed.
So i have two questions regarding that -
What is a BCM and ...
7
votes
1answer
171 views
Finding And Fixing A Short
Make: Chevy
Model: Cavalier
Year: 1993 (old I know)
Symptoms
Turn signal no longer works. The lights do not come on, and there is no "ticking" sound.
New Fuse for signal blows as soon as the car ...
6
votes
4answers
1k views
How to assess battery charge level and alternator performance?
What diagnostics can be done to to assess battery charge level?
I'm interested both in one-off tests like can be done in car service and also continuous monitoring during normal use.
Car panels ...
6
votes
3answers
1k views
What are the tradeoffs for positive vs. negative ground?
I just got a classic Ford 8N tractor running again. Someone trying to be helpful flipped the battery around, connecting negative to ground. This made the engine crank backwards! So I had spark, ...
6
votes
3answers
270 views
Does idle RPM increase when there is heavy load on the electrical system?
I am thinking about installing a 500w halogen (HDX brand) on the roll bar in my jeep as the dome light because often I work in the back when it is dark or when I would like more light. The 500w light ...
5
votes
4answers
780 views
Why does my car scream on cold start?
My 1988 Subaru XT6 2.7L engine screams at me on a cold start then it will stop and then do it again when I take it out of park, but then it stops.
Also, my car is losing antifreeze. Any ideas why?
5
votes
3answers
350 views
How to amplify car speakers without stereo?
I have a 1980 VW Dasher with its original speakers but no radio. It has an unusual (erroneous?) electrical configuration where most accessories (e.g. lights, cabin fan, etc) still run even with the ...
5
votes
3answers
137 views
How do I diagnose opened door indicator problem on a Honda Civic 1.8Vti Aerodeck
The opened door light indicator flashes at random rate when I drive.
This also randomly triggers the alarm system that I had to disconnect.
I have removed every door switches. No differences.
...
5
votes
3answers
1k views
2007 Nissan Armada power window fuse location
According to the fuse block diagram, there is not a dedicated fuse for the power windows. Anyone know if the power windows are on another fuse? Front drivers side window will not go down and switch ...
5
votes
1answer
65 views
Shutting off fans at highway speeds
On my vehicle (92 Civic) and most others I've seen, the condenser fan comes on whenever the A/C clutch is engaged. This seems like a waste of electricity (and thus fuel) when cruising at 60-75 mph, ...
5
votes
1answer
167 views
What current is “normal” for constant battery drain (not parasitic)
I'm having some problems with battery going dead sometimes, and I noticed that there are some small sparks after disconnecting the battery for a few seconds and then reconnecting again. It is not big ...
5
votes
2answers
477 views
Can an engine stop from a bad battery?
The car is a 2005 Toyota Corolla CE. Its engine is the 1ZZ-FE, a 1.8L straight four that runs on gas, not diesel.
The alternator is stock, and tests out just fine on the multimeter in both voltage ...
5
votes
2answers
227 views
Why are my wires melting together?
I'm currently neck deep in an eletrical shortage issue with my BMW 316i.
I found the wires that are blowing my fuses, it's bad. Like at least 5ft of 8 or more wires fused together behind my dashboard ...
5
votes
2answers
631 views
Manual horn switch
what are the pitfalls or things to look out for when manually wiring a switch from the battery to the horn?
Some background:
I just moved to texas where they require vehicle inspections. My horn ...
4
votes
4answers
3k views
What is the best overall ODB2 scan tool?
There are a number of different ODB2 scan tools out there, some PC based, some standalone units, some more for tuning and some more for diagnosing problems.
What are the different features that these ...
4
votes
4answers
88 views
car wont start or stay running after a jump
I have a 2004 kia spectra 1.8, I have replaced the spark plugs, the alternator, and my battery is only about 2 months old. The car will start after a jump but it has to sit for about 10 minutes before ...
4
votes
1answer
400 views
Upgrade to HID lights in a Jeep Wrangler
I would like to upgrade to HID lights in my 2008 Jeep Wrangler. The stock lights aren't bright at all. My question is, since this would be an aftermarket upgrade, what am I looking at here? Is it ...
4
votes
2answers
120 views
How to detect a failing car alternator..?
Is there some way we can predict that the car alternator is about to fail in order to avoid a discharged battery situation on the road..
Although it will slow the sound of horn and will dim the ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
Can cold weather cause TPMS sensors to malfunction?
I just bought a new 2011 Honda Fit and while driving it home from the dealer, I noticed that a little light on the dashboard was on that said "TPMS". When I got home, I consulted the owner's manual ...
4
votes
1answer
237 views
How do you remove or even get to the car battery on a 2012 Honda Odyssey?
Summary
How do you get to the battery on a 2012 Honda Odyssey, given that it is blocked by some type of intake tube**?
**Edit: this used to say exhaust but I changed it to intake tube, given ...
4
votes
3answers
193 views
2007 BMW Z4 won't start when my phone is plugged into the cigarette lighter plug
Sometimes when my cell phone is on charge in my 2007 BMW Z4 before I start it, nothing happens when I turn the key. The car is acting like it would if I did not have the clutch pushed in - the key ...
4
votes
2answers
795 views
Possible short in reverse lights on 2003 Nissan Frontier Pickup Truck
When I engage reverse on the manual transmission of my 2003 Nissan Frontier pickup truck, the reverse lights tend to sporadically turn on and off. I'm trying to figure out what path to take to ...
4
votes
3answers
61 views
93 Nissan Sentra SE-R, replaced alternator voltage still low
My car died while I was driving it, but I can put the battery on a charger (or from another car, with jumper cables) and get it running albeit for a short period of time.
I put a multimeter on the ...
4
votes
2answers
111 views
Intermittent stall at idle
I have a 98 Saturn sw2 with a recent problem. Two times now it has stalled while idling and when it doesn't stall it floats near 500 rpms (Usually 750 - 950). The first time, it would start and just ...
4
votes
1answer
978 views
How should the lights for a trailer be hooked up?
I have a tent trailer and the lights don't work right. It has a 4 wire connector to my car but one of the wires on the trailer connector was worn out and probably not working. So I got a new 4 prong ...
4
votes
1answer
66 views
My drivers side window no longer closes with one press of the button 1
I share a similar plight with the guy before only difference is it's with an 04 Forester STi. I held the passenger front window switch up for a little too long next thing I know my driver side window ...
4
votes
1answer
157 views
What's the reason for a battery light coming on and becoming brighter as the engine revs higher?
The vehicle is a 1993 LandRover Discovery 3.5 V8. Today when I hopped in to drive home the battery light came on when I started up, and remained on. It gets brighter as the engine revs and just ...
4
votes
2answers
6k views
'01 Jeep Cherokee - Check Gauges light & low battery gauge
Bought my '01 Cherokee back in March & have had nothing but problems since; I've been slowly fixing them when I have the time/cash. However, this particular issue has me stumped (and it's happened ...
4
votes
1answer
293 views
A/C electrical problem on 92 Civic
I've had intermittent A/C failure on my 92 Civic DX going on for a couple years now. It's clearly an electrical problem. Normally it's solvable by putting some pressure on the control panel, but ...
4
votes
1answer
283 views
1997 Geo Metro dies after driving for a short time. What next in diagnosing culprit
Back Story: I recently took my Geo Metro on a road trip. 2700 miles of road trip. The first 800 mile nothing happened. Then going up a hill it died, dropped from 75 mph to 55 mph then the engine ...
4
votes
1answer
145 views
Misfiring Engine Hyundai Accent Executive
My Hyundai Accent Executive is 2001 model. Recently the engine started misfiring badly during idling with Air conditioner on. It is almost like the engine is going to turn off any moment. The ...
3
votes
5answers
1k views
Keeping radio/stereo unit powered to save pre-set preferences?
In my previous cars I could save certain radio stations, volume levels, etc. on my stereo and they would stay saved (unless the battery went dead).
I'm using the same stereo head unit in my latest ...
3
votes
1answer
74 views
Why would my electrical systems cut out when I brake?
So I told this little story to the dealership service department, and they were baffled. Never heard of anything like it in ten years, said they'd have to examine it very closely.
Here's what ...
3
votes
3answers
137 views
possible alternator-battery mismatch if I replace the existing battery with a much higher CCA one?
I have a 2000 Audi A6 Avant 2.5 diesel whose current Audi battery (approx. 650 CCA) is dying. Am looking at an Exide X-Tra Plus at 900 CCA to replace it. However, should I be concerned that the ...
3
votes
2answers
300 views
Does length of jumper cable matter while jumpstarting a motorcycle from car battery as a booster?
I recently left my Harley Davidson 883 Superlow in ignition on for 8 hours, headlight drained all the battery. This was my first time jumpstart experiment. Had following few questions, happy to be ...
3
votes
2answers
93 views
Audi A6 : brighter reversing lights?
On my 2007 A6 the reversing lights are very feeble, enough to make it quite difficult to reverse in my own driveway in the dark. I understand that I can't simply use higher-wattage bulbs or LED ...
3
votes
3answers
128 views
How can I route power cables from my 2012 Kia Forte eco from the battery to the cabin?
I have a 2012 Kia Forte sedan with "eco" package. I'd like to mount my mobile amateur radio into the vehicle, however I'm having a hard time locating a grommet for passing power leads from the cabin ...
3
votes
1answer
121 views
Turn Signal Randomly Changes Directions
I have a 2005 Dodge Dakota. The left turn signal has started randomly switching over to blinking the right signal light. When it happens, the sequence is usually:
Turn on the left signal, it blinks ...
3
votes
2answers
2k views
OBD-II reader/scan tool that can also diagnose air bag light
Is there an OBD-II reader/scan tool that can also diagnose air bag warning light?
My 2004 Honda Element EX has a red air bag warning light that recently has turned on. The nearest Honda dealer wants ...
3
votes
2answers
255 views
s60 won't start, no lights, nothing at all
I accidentally left my keys in ignition overnight - and now nothing. Have charged battery and tried spare key, but neither fixed the issue.
3
votes
1answer
58 views
How to troubleshoot a fan that won't work unless it's on it's on the highest setting?
My car fan won't work unless it's on 4 (full power). I have 4 options of power for the fan 1 - 4 but nothing happens on options 1 - 3.
I have taken the panel off and cleaned all the contacts for the ...
3
votes
1answer
378 views
Battery replacement on 2001 Chevy Venture
I have a 2001 Venture that needs a battery replacement. Will disconnecting the battery activate the Theftlock system in my stereo? My impression is that the VIN is stored in flash memory, so a ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
Should only the left “Rear Fog Light” actually light up in a pair?
On a 2003 Saab 9-5 Aero, only the left rear fog light lights up. The right side has a bulb but when I switch the bulbs, the left still is the only side that lights up.
I thought it might be a wiring ...
3
votes
1answer
176 views
Hour meter stopped turning
I have an hour meter for my engine in the middle of my tachometer. It has stopped incrementing when the engine is on. I pulled the tach (which works fine) and all of the four wires that attach to it ...
3
votes
2answers
247 views
Trailer wiring corrosion
Every couple of years I find that the trailer wiring connector (7 pin) on the back of my truck doesn't work properly, causing the brake or turn signals on the trailer to not function. This is caused ...
3
votes
2answers
34 views
2002 Saturn SL2 Stalls After Warmup No Spark
My SL2 stalls (it just cuts out, no warning) shortly after warmup (this all started right after I topped off the coolant after a low coolant light came on, although I don't know if they are related). ...
3
votes
1answer
27 views
01 Monte Carlo electrical gremlins
My wife has an 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo that sat for about 6 years before she got it 3 years ago. It’s having a few electrical problems.
Temperature gauge doesn’t work. I replaced the sender with ...
