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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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2 answers
485 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 ...
0 votes
1 answer
132 views

How do you quiz the electronics of a Mercedes?

I am planning to inspect a 2012 Mercedes S550 for possible purchase. How do I interrogate the electronic system of the car to get information about things that currently may not be working, or about ...
0 votes
2 answers
159 views

Is there a way to transmit a CAN bus signal over a high current DC line?

I would like to use a high current cable with batt + and chassis ground from the vehicle to the trailer, and also use the same cable to transmit a CAN bus signal to the trailer. Is there a way to get ...
1 vote
1 answer
88 views

powered window and back windscreen wiper anomaly

At first i thought it was random, then i realised that there is clearly a pattern: I start the car then i check and both the wiper and the window works as expected. 20-30-40 minutes down the road i ...
0 votes
1 answer
260 views

Intermittent Electrical Issues Jeep Wrangler 1998

I just bought a 1998 Jeep Wrangler today. When I took it for a test drive yesterday, everything seemed to work fine, but when I was driving it home today some electrical issues came up. The first ...
0 votes
1 answer
162 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 ...
4 votes
1 answer
841 views

Is there a rev matching device?

I understand that rev matching is acquired skill by practicing and driving more. I'd like to know if there was a device you could attach to your car that would detect and notify you if engine rev is ...
2 votes
0 answers
43 views

What was this SOS signaling car?

Today on the highway, there was a seemingly rather new car - I did not take note of the make, looked like a medium-sized sedan. It signaled SOS (... - - - ...) with the warning lights, the headlight ...
1 vote
1 answer
2k 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 ...
0 votes
1 answer
765 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 ...
0 votes
1 answer
561 views

2012 Nissan Murano interior light won't go off

2012 Nissan Murano interior light doesn't go off after door is closed. It does go off after 15 min. as it says in the manual.
1 vote
1 answer
48 views

Remote battery disconnect drains the battery

Installed a remote battery disconnect switch yesterday. I tested once and it worked as intended. Today, after about 24 hours, the car won't start. I checked the battery with a voltmeter and it has ...
0 votes
2 answers
315 views

Honda Civic 2000, Engine Control Unit replacement

I need to replace the engine control unit, ECU, of my Honda Civic 2000, my car doesn't have an immobilizer, it starts with a basic metal key, so, do I need to program the used ECU replacement?
0 votes
1 answer
168 views

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?
1 vote
0 answers
47 views

Odd wiper problem on Mercedes E320 W211 - diagnostic message 'Communication with componentM6/1 wiper motor interrupted'

I have a strange issue with my wipers on my Mercedes E320 W211, they seem to have a mind of their own. No matter what I set the stalk to: off, intermittent 1, 2, on low speed or on high speed I get ...
1 vote
1 answer
132 views

Rear hatch on 2021 Grand Cherokee only partly opens then closes

I have a 2021 Grand Cherokee purchased new (approaching 3 yrs ago). An odd problem started occurring a couple of months ago. When I trigger the rear hatch it opens maybe 8-12 inches then stops and ...
0 votes
1 answer
44 views

How to ground without using the car's chassis and metal frame?

I'm designing and prototyping hardware electronics, see here https://github.com/aeonSolutions/AeonLabs-AI-Volvo-MKII-Open-Hardware/wiki , and I want to separate the ground line from the chassis and ...
1 vote
0 answers
16 views

Cabling for ABS sensor and beeper on 2014 Kia Rio

During the blizzard last weekend, I installed my tire chains. I must not have done so correctly, as the driver's side chain came loose. I was on a narrow section of interstate with no shoulder at ...
0 votes
0 answers
16 views

Upgrade Media Centre Screen Skoda Superb 2018

I'm generally pretty happy with my Skoda. However, I recently rented a newer car with a centre-console screen of about the same size but a much higher resolution. This made a surprisingly big ...
1 vote
1 answer
227 views

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 ...
3 votes
1 answer
970 views

Central Locking on Trunk Lock doesn't work? Manual lock works (Seat Cordoba 1.6 gasoline 2000)

I have a SEAT Cordoba 1.6 from the year 2000, gasoline engine version: I noticed that when pushing the 'LOCK' button on the (wireless) key that all doors, except the trunk door, lock. Manually ...
2 votes
2 answers
955 views

Will a loose positive terminal cause damage to a car?

As I was driving my car on the usual daily commute, I noticed the dashboard started dimming as my blinkers were blinking. Scared as to what could've caused this, I stopped and opened the hood where I ...
2 votes
1 answer
207 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 ...
1 vote
1 answer
291 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. ...
22 votes
6 answers
9k 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, ...
1 vote
0 answers
41 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 ...
1 vote
3 answers
3k views

Red and yellow wires to aftermarket stereo system have no power

I have a 2001 Chevy Silverado diesel 2500 4x4. I took my old stereo out which had power to it, and I installed my new stereo. Now the red and yellow wires have no power! (They did before.) I ...
1 vote
0 answers
496 views

2006 Honda Civic door locks won't work when key is off

We have a 2006 Honda Civic which has recently begun having an issue with the door locks. The power door locks will only work when the key is in the ON (II) position. If it's not in that position, then ...
1 vote
0 answers
109 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 ...
0 votes
2 answers
146 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 ...
4 votes
2 answers
3k 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. ...
1 vote
1 answer
312 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 ...
1 vote
1 answer
139 views

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?
0 votes
0 answers
316 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 ...
-1 votes
1 answer
1k 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 ...
2 votes
1 answer
504 views

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 ...
1 vote
0 answers
138 views

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 ...
1 vote
0 answers
110 views

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 ...
2 votes
1 answer
82 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 ...
1 vote
2 answers
2k views

Electrical isues on j10 nissan qashqai

I have a problem with my Nissan Qashqai, its a late 2010 so its a facelift model. The lights flicker when I am driving, when im parked, basically all the time, my windows roll down slowly, some ...
0 votes
1 answer
1k 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 ...
1 vote
1 answer
71 views

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 ...
2 votes
4 answers
39k views

Why do we use a relay and switch to control on/off of horn circuit instead of using a simple swtich?

I know that a horn requires a larger amount of amperes to operate than many other electrical systems. I am reading a book and I stepped into this situation: ..shows a relay application in a horn ...
0 votes
2 answers
107 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, ...
0 votes
0 answers
179 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 ...
0 votes
0 answers
1k 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 ...
1 vote
2 answers
120 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 ...
-1 votes
3 answers
81 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 ...
13 votes
4 answers
66k views

What are the risks of jump-starting a modern car?

I'm aware of the general risks, i.e. igniting hydrogen gas with a spark, and accidentally hooking up the leads backwards. But I have been reading conflicting information about whether one should even ...
0 votes
0 answers
38 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 ...