Questions tagged [electronics]

Electrical components that monitor or control the engine and other vehicle systems, or that provide entertainment, information, or network access. Engine Control Units (ECUs), their sensors, radios, navigation systems, and rain sensors are examples of *electronic* components. Compare with *electrical* components which distribute, switch, and consume electricity as a source of power – such as the battery, alternator, fuses, lights, starter, and sparkplugs.

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Using slightly larger wire for repair

I am trying to repair a car wire that goes to an antenna (powering 'comfort access') that seems to have been chewed up by some animal / insect / rodent -- the original wire is a 20/22 gauge wire and ...
AnchovyLegend's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
175 views

Confused as to how components are powered

I have a fair knowledge of cars but one thing I cannot understand is how the components such as the radio/wipers/bulbs/heaters etc are connected to a power source ? Let's say in your house you have a ...
venomx's user avatar
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67 views

Feasibility of DYI fix of IPDM in Nissan Juke

I have Nissan Juke. Brake lights are not working. Pedal sensors are fine. Fuses appear fine. A mechanic noticed that the lights went on briefly when he was moving cords going into IPDM module: ...
datbedemailto's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
39 views

Did I fry my digital clock when soldering it?

I got a new digital clock for my car (1988 Accord) as the old one was broken. It came without that front cover/bezel/plastic chassis so I intended to swap it into the old bezel/plastic chassis from ...
MeltingDog's user avatar
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101 views

Can an aftermarket Android radio cause an airbag to malfunction?

I would like to upgrade my 2007 Lexus RX350 factory radio to the following unit. But I am learning the passenger airbag indicator won't function the same as the factory unit. From an engineering ...
Mike L's user avatar
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No lights or power but starts off kick, has brand new battery still nothing

I have a pioneer xf125 has no power at all but runs off kickstart and the kill switch works other than that no light or anything, could anyone help?
Jordan Jones's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
20 views

Picasso intermittently won't lock with fob or manually

I've had my 2014 Picasso for half a year now. Twice in the last week, I've had an issue where the car will not lock. I have checked all of the doors but they are closed. There is no indication of an ...
Tallamy's user avatar
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2012 GOLF TDI WITH RADIO NAV SYSTEM 310 INSTALLED, INTERMITTENT BLUETOOTH CONNECTIVITY ISSUE

Phone Model: Motorola G Power(2021) So under normal conditions, I can pair my phone to my car with Bluetooth and on YouTube I can change songs using the steering wheel controls, and normally it auto ...
Altruistic_sock's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
2k views

Battery Relocation to Trunk Pros & Cons?

Are there any significant upsides or downsides to moving the battery to the the trunk? My impression is that it's just a preference thing that doesn't really affect anything at all in any real way. ...
VSO's user avatar
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1 answer
187 views

Does OBD2 Hud Display use battery if only the cable is connected but not the device itself?

I have an OBD2 hud display. It consists of the obd2 cable, and the device itself. Cable can disconnect from the device. If I leave the cable plugged in, but the device is disconnected from it, does it ...
Antonis's user avatar
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Is the 12v cigar lighter port in Teslas AC or DC?

Specifically, is it 12v AC in the 1st gen, pre-2016 April models? If there any that is not 12v DC of Tesla vehicles?
Kortelly Zamatosh's user avatar
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171 views

Kia Sorento push start revs much too high

Worked on cars for years, then fell away from doing anything besides replacing the occasional starter or oil pump, then nothing as my cars got more reliable. My 2013 Kia Sorento is the newest car I've ...
Oliver Williams's user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
711 views

Do OBD2 Hud Head Up Displays use battery when engine is off?

I am buying an OBD2 Head Up Display. It has a screen where it shows readings etc. Manufacturer claims the item turns off when the engine is off too, and this is true from the videos I have watched. It ...
Antonis's user avatar
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22 votes
6 answers
8k views

Why don't cars have circuit breakers instead of fuses?

While there are exceptions the majority of cars use fuses instead of circuit breakers to protect electronics and I'm wondering why circuit breakers are not more widely used. Is it practicality, cost, ...
GdD's user avatar
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2 votes
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How to get a rough approximation of how long it would take to discharge battery almost fully when keep ignition on?

I want to do a simple 'test' to see if my motorcycle battery is draining too fast. I've heard that if you keep motorcycle ignition on over night, it will drain. But I could not find any single source ...
Vikas's user avatar
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Seat Mii: intermittent, now permanent electric power steering fault

One year ago I bought a used Seat Mii. From time to time I had problems with the (electromechanical, not hydraulic) power steering: it would stop working and its red light would come up. Turning off ...
JuliusC's user avatar
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ECU leaks current

Im the proud owner of an ER-6F from 2009. I just tested my bike for leaking current and noticed it did. When pulling the fuses I found the ECU to be the culprit. I assume this is not normal. What do i ...
Andreas Damen's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
65 views

Question about cigarette lighter voltages/currents

My motorcycle of course has a 12V battery. I have been informed that the OEM Honda cigarette lighter is wired with an "inline 1A fuse". I'm considering ordering a phone charging USB adapter ...
jsstuball's user avatar
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1 answer
555 views

remote key lock unlock stopped working

I have a 2015 volkswagen passat tsi, the fob for locking / unlocking the car has stopped working. The led on the fob still illuminates. I tried replacing the coil cell battery (cr2032) on the fob, but ...
j0h's user avatar
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1 answer
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My car stereo stopped playing any audio, but it seems to be functioning as normal otherwise

The OEM car stereo unit on my 2015 Hyundai accent stopped playing audio. I have gone through every single setting (like mute) and tried every single source (am, fm, USB, bluetooth) and nothing plays ...
Scorb's user avatar
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2 answers
91 views

Overheated Resistor

I am running a 12 volt DC 25 watt 6 ohm resistor to excite the alternator in my car but it is extremely hot to the touch, could I reduce the heat output by adding another resistor of the same value, ...
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126 views

2013 Elantra hatchback gauge cluster issues

recently on a rather cold day I started my car in order to commute to work, I then noticed the complete lack of speedometer and the fuel gauge is all over the place. Engine temp gauge and tachometer ...
Postboy's Game Shack's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
861 views

How to open the windows without ignition turned on

Car: Skoda Octavia y.99 Situation: I need to be able to open the windows (or atleast one window) on my Skoda without ignition on. Why: My car is a camper and it's super anoying to turn the ignition on ...
JZK's user avatar
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2 answers
119 views

Cars with too much fangled software

For cars with a push button parking brake, is there a universal method to unlock the parking brake, eg when a crucial circuit board malfunctions? For cars with a push button engine start and steering ...
Old Geezer's user avatar
-1 votes
3 answers
78 views

Does car service include diagnosing the problem?

I checked that car service checks many different parts like engine oil, filters, lights, brake, etc. I would assume they will tell you if something is not working. But will I be told also why ...
user1589188's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
33 views

Tricking TPS signals with a Voltage Source

Good evening, I am trying to trick the TPS by disconnecting the two APP1 and APP2 signals and connecting them to a voltage generator that generates a voltage that is within the range of both APP1 and ...
Enzo's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
356 views

How modern electronic parking brake works? Do they consume power when parked and car is off?

This might be a stupid question, but lately I've been asking myself this question and couldn't find an answer on google. How modern electronic parking brakes work? Do they consume power when parked ...
Jaafarb's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
497 views

2015 Escape Ford Sync error - What the heck is this error icon?

I have a 2015 Ford Escape with the non-touch Sync. After working sporadically for the past year or so, my Aux input/USB/Bluetooth have completely stopped working. If I press the "Media" ...
SomeGuy's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
684 views

Safety around permanent trickle/float charger connection for car battery

I rarely use my second car, as a result, the battery often drains too much by the time I need it. I have a slow charge battery pack which works if I want to wait a while to get to the minimum level to ...
HelpEric's user avatar
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0 answers
114 views

What is this electrical component circled in blue in this engine bay?

I was wondering what this component could be. i couldnt post full size picture since it was over 2mb but full picture also showed a part that looked similar to the part circled in blue. i think that ...
Timothy Scherer's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
866 views

Mitubishi Outlander 2018. Replacing SIM card

Whatever I'm doing I'm not find the SIM card in my car. I removed the glove box (and see the white computer behind it. I removed the plasic below the glove box and still doens't find the SIM card, or ...
Aminadav Glickshtein's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
95 views

2007 Ford E350 electrical problem

My 12 passenger ford E350 2007 occasionally (random times while driving for random duration 5 -40 minutes) loses power to the: dashboard stero and windows. What can be wrong with my car? How do I ...
joe's user avatar
  • 135
6 votes
3 answers
955 views

Control Systems of Modern Engines

This may be a bit of an odd request. I teach high school computer science, in part through game design. I have a student who wants to be an auto mechanic who was placed in my game design class because ...
dlu's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
209 views

What is this wire connected to the back of my radio?

I'm hoping to replace the radio in my '05 Saturn Ion, so I pulled it out to see what connections it has. According to this website, this radio is compatible. I know I'll have to deal with the wiring ...
FancyFranks's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
74 views

I found out that a CECM for a double decker bus was faulty.The new unit I tried to fit ended up giving same fault.Does the new unit need programming

The good second hand CECM I later fitted was able to down load and the fault fixed.Do I need to program the new unit.The Chassis Electronic Control Unit(CECM) is for a volvo double decker bus
Sythrop's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
739 views

Prevent Stereo Shutdown During Ignition

I've got a Honda Civic 2006 that I've recently added a nice aftertmarket Android Auto head unit to because I got used to the one I had in my old work car (a 2018 Audi A3). This unit works great, ...
ScottishTapWater's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
77 views

2008 Toyota Prius Door Lock Problem

About a month ago, I noticed that my Prius started to chirp and unlock 5 times in a row whenever I used the proximity sensor on the handles (both driver and passenger side, but not the trunk). Shortly ...
Seanachai's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
97 views

Main relay click test results

Civic vti coupe 1999. I heard that you can test a main relay by checking for clock with each key turn. So every time you turn the key you will get hear one click. Here’s what I found: Lock to ...
James Wilson's user avatar
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0 votes
0 answers
40 views

is this main relay faulty, what should I do now?

Civic coupe vti 1999 @ 163k miles. Cars not starting and have just inspected the main relay and can see one of the points seems to have worn to the point you can see blue underneath it. Will this ...
James Wilson's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
236 views

Elusive cause to a lumpy idle

Having been around cars for a long time, this has me stumped. 2005 Renault Megane Estate with 1.4 K4J engine. Approx 125 000 km. Engine is restless at idle. Revs are unstable and feels like misfiring. ...
eerik's user avatar
  • 21
0 votes
2 answers
1k views

Can you attach multimeter to battery terminals while car running/charging?

I cannot remember how but recently I blew the fuse on my multimeter. All I remember was the car was running when it happened. Can I attach the multimeter to battery terminals to check voltage while it ...
James Wilson's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
950 views

How does a OBD II misfire detection monitor know "exactly" which cylinder is misfiring?

I do know that magnetic pick-up coils are used to detect crankshaft position and these sensors are used to tell which cylinder is misfiring. These magnetic pick-coils do not produce a smooth & ...
gordon stull's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
38 views

Loss of Window Control in an Old Car; Fix or Let It Go?

I have a car that is about 20 years old. (2001 Lexus RX300) I recently repaired the exhaust and some other things, and I think that mechanically, this car could last me 5+ more years. What to do about ...
Astor Florida's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
148 views

Renault Logan 2011 unknown electrical issue

I have a Renault Logan 2011 since March 2018 and it has run for about 173,000 km so far. About a year back it started having this strange problem where during initial start the automatic transmission ...
Kanderwal's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
107 views

Toyota Yaris xp9 2006 Clock is inactive

I have Toyota Yaris xp9 Model 2006. When I start car. I do not see any more clock. It is totally off. Could you please inform me the reason why this fault happened and how I can repair it? Thank you.
Khawaja's user avatar
  • 11
1 vote
2 answers
336 views

Volkswagen Polo 2009 bluetooth problem

I have a Volkswagen Polo from 2009 with some electronics I think are upgraded through the time. The display which shows the media radio and stuff also shows an option for phone, phone messages, and ...
Luka Milivojevic's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
117 views

Do I need a battery maintainer, a portable jumpstarter, or a completely new 12V battery?

Hybrid vehicle has not been used for several months due to COVID-19 pandemic. Vehicle has a 3 year old 12V AGM battery. Battery is not used as a true "starter" battery; it just boots the ...
End Anti-Semitic Hate's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
102 views

Climate Control Module Temp Numbers Jump Around

I have a 2003 Hummer H2 and if I wanted to change the temperature in my vehicle, I would do so by turning the knobs on the vehicle's climate control module. One of which is for the driver side while ...
Wolf Zwiener's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
108 views

How does engine braking mapping work?

Some recent cars and a lot of bikes can change engine mapping and change engine braking electronically. For instance, my bike is not an automatic bike, so it has mechanical gears and I am able to ...
LP154's user avatar
  • 101
0 votes
1 answer
366 views

What type of terminal pins do radio harnesses use?

Brief backstory: I got a car that was a great deal and the radio is the only thing wrong with it. They told me that while they were swapping out the OEM radio it wouldn't accept the new one and then ...
Jdubs's user avatar
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