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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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, ...
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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 ...
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How stable is voltage in a 12V car outlet?
I want to use a Mini-ITX PC board in a car. I plan to use the 12V "cigar" outlet or take the 12V elsewhere, but from the same 12V source that is dedicated to be used for user devices within a car's ...
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Skoda Fabia - reverse parking sensors not working?
I bought a used Skoda Fabia that is fitted with a parking assistant (reverse parking sensors) which does not seem to work.
According to the manual when I change into reverse it should either make a ...
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what sensors and formula are used to control VGT/VNT turbos?
I want to fit a variable geometry turbo to my car. Its vanes are usually controlled an electrical actuator (otherwise sometimes it's on vacuum). What information is used to to inform the state of the ...
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Are mechanical relays still used for turn signal circuits? If not, where does the clicking noise come from?
I noticed that when I activate the turn signal of my 2017 Jeep (full of computerized electronics), the flasher makes a very mechanical sound, just like cars have done for I-don't-know-how-many decades....
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cigarette lighter is always on
In my 2006 ford ka the cigarette lighter socket is always on, which means that when I turn off the engine I have to unplug the USB thingy I've got in there. It's a bit annoying and I'm constantly ...
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Are all drive-by-wire cars completely (brakes, clutch, gas, steer) by wire?
I've recently purchases a manual transmission 1.5 Honda Mobilio. Which claimed to be a drive by wire vehicle and I assume it really is (don't know how to tell if a car is drive by wire). I am a new ...
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Which electrical parts in motorcycles are obligatory for basic driving capacity?
According to this survey, electrical parts in motorcycles are the most probable to fail. Which of the electrical parts in modern motorcycles are necessary for maintaining basic driving capacity? In ...
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OBD Accessory External Power Supply
I recently purchased the Zubie Car Hotspot from Verizon that connects to the OBD port on a car. I have mine connected to the Tesla Model X, unfortunately I need the connection to remain always on but ...
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Fixing a water-damaged remote key
I have a Toyota Camry 2011 and two remote keys. One of the keys was soaked with water two years ago. Of course, it is not working. I went to a dealer and they failed to recover it.
Is there something ...
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Why do cars still use mechanical blinker relays?
I think the electronic relays may be cheaper; and having less moving parts they are theoretically less prone to break.
So, why do cars still use mechanical relays for turning lights?
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Can radio communications be fully disabled in a Tesla?
Can radio communications be fully disabled in Tesla vehicles like the Model S ?
I guess this question has two parts: software disablement and hardware disablement as follows:
(1) Software ...
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What happens if I disconnect the battery while the car is running?
There are some comments on the question Are there any modern diesel engines that require electricity to continue running? suggesting that disconnecting the battery while the car is running can damage ...
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Tapping into the on-board computer
I'm thinking of replacing my car's radio panel with a custom built Raspberry Pi device, something like this device.
However, it's usefulness would be much larger, if I could get information from the ...
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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 ...
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How to control a car (accelerating, braking, steering) programmatically? [closed]
I would like to make a prototype autonomous car out of an off–the–shelf car (Toyota Yaris to be exact, but the instructions should be universal). One of the first steps is to get access to the on-...
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What voltage does the ECU need?
I am tracing the operation of the ECU. I want to supply it with power but what is the ECU voltage input that I should supply?
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How do I make a self start bike using a Hero Honda CD 100?
Very, very new to this community.
I want to customize my old bike with a self start along with user authentication via Bluetooth using a smart phone. I can make the electronics part (Means Software ...
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Mitsubishi Colt trip computer mode change?
I have a Mitsubishi Colt (2004 model, 5-door) where I've replaced the factory head unit / radio.
Unfortunately this meant I lost the capability of switching the trip computer modes (instant/average ...
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Read steering angle data in real time
I need to read vehicle steering angle (front wheel angle) data in real time for a research project that I am involved in. How can I achieve that? What HW and SW do I need for it?
So far I can think ...
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Since when is CAN bus mandatory for new vehicles?
The CAN bus Wikipedia page states that:
CAN bus is one of five protocols used in the on-board diagnostics
(OBD)-II vehicle diagnostics standard. The OBD-II standard has been
mandatory for all ...
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What's wrong with using domestic flex cable for automotive purposes?
In the UK, household wiring uses 3-core flexible cables. Core size for some applications might be 2.5mm^2 and rated for 24a at 5.75kW at 240v.
This means the cable exceeds the current draw of most ...
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Unidentified component on carburetor
A couple of days ago I went over to a friend who owns an older KTM motorcycle and as I was having a look on his motor I noticed a component on his carburetor which looked like something electronic but ...
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LED Blinkers - Burning out on 1976 Triumph Bonneville
I have a 1976 Triumph Bonneville and recently replaced the garbage LED chips inside the eBay signal lights with brighter Cree LED chips. I bench tested the circuit shown below with a 12v bench supply ...
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How can expand the functions of my key fob?
I want to reprogram they intelligent key (i-key) for my 2014 Nissan Maxima to do more stuff.
When I press and hold the unlock button on the i-key, the two front windows open. I want to make all 4 ...
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1995 VM Jetta/Vento - ECU pinout for my car
I own a 95 Vento GL (Jetta for the american market), with an 1.8 8v, 90hp ADD model engine. The ECU for this model is marked with part number 037 906 021A.
I have checked with VAG-COM software and it ...
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Why did the old-school thermal flashers remain in use for so long?
I'm rebuilding an MGA and i'm at the point of revising the electronics.
Today I was making a DIY flasher with a simple RC circuit. This will replace the old thermal flasher which depends on the right ...
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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. ...
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Should ground wires be fused?
I'm installing a ham radio transceiver into my car, which draws up to 25 amps and can't be used with the 12V socket. Instead, I'm following this and this and similar guides, which recommend running a ...
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What are the stereo voltages?
I have some ideas for a rear facing camera, AI, and communication servers I would like to add to my car ( a 2006 ford focus). I can handle all of that set up, what I have no idea about is the power ...
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Defender Right Indicator Incorrectly Canceling while Turning Right
2000 Land Rover Defender 90 Td5
While indicating right and turning the steering wheel right the indicator cancels where it should latch waiting for the wheel to turn back left to the center position....
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How to diagnose undervolt in electrical system
I have a 1980 VW Dasher. Most of the electric systems perform noticeably weakly, e.g. the A/C fan, interior lamp, dash panel backlighting, windshield wipers, and headlamps. These symptoms have been ...
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How can the connections of an aftermarket wire harness be joined to a stock harness?
I didn't see this question asked before under the tag audio and after searching [audio] wire harness I was curious to know what are the ways you can securely connect an audio wire harness to a factory ...
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Reading Vehicle Speed Sensor on 2005 Honda Accord from Cruise Control Unit Port
I'm trying to read the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) on my 2005 Honda Accord from the cruise control port (port 14P, located behind the steering wheel)--when the cruise control unit is not attached.
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How does PCS on 4l60e work?
Looking at the pinout for the connector for the 4l60e there are 2 pins for the pressure control solenoid. 1 pin for HIGH, and 1 pin for LOW.
Does this mean the PCS can only ever be in 1 of 2 ...
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Steering control panel upgrade for the 2015 Kia Forte
I purchased a 2015 Kia Forte LX and I'm wanting to replace the stock remote control panel on the steering wheel with that of the panel on the EX. I know it's possible because every time I spoke to ...
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Fuel Economy Gauge Modification
I have a little digital screen in my dash that re-evaluates my average fuel consumption (L/100km) every thirty seconds. How can I modify this to increase the reporting frequency? Preferably, at least ...
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Citroen C4 Grand Picasso 2007 Multi Function Screen C failed
I've just bought a C4 Grand Picasso, love the car, super practical and comfy.
The electronic dashboard is working fine, but the multi-function screen portion is completely blank.
So I have a speedo,...
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VSS accuracy at low speeds
Background
I recently got a P1500 code on my 98 Mazda 626 GF.
I hooked up my computer using ForScan and cleared the code. It didn't come back after three slow test drives around the parking lot.
Here ...
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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 ...
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Disable the alarm on a 2001 Audi A6
I want to disable the alarm on a 2001 Audi A6 because its goes off arbitrarily, a lot. I want to disable the entire alarm. not just the internal movement sensor, How can I do this?
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Simplest installation of car-powered car-pc
Am posting here as this question seems to be considered off-topic on both the electronics and the Raspberry sister sites.
Would like to install a carputer (Raspberry Pi), and am wondering about the ...
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Reliable 12V supply in car
I need to connect some circuitry in a car, which needs 12V. It's my understanding that when a car starts, the power spikes well above 12V, and the battery itself can have a charged voltage of ~14V.
...
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Is there a viable option for updating OBD-I to OBD-II in order to increase possibility of engine tuning?
I've been told this is a terrible idea and just wanted greater confidence even though the warning against has been taken. I want to be able to fine tune a 1990 car with an OBD-I port in addition to ...
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What are the common causes of inconsistent/dead flashers?
My car's flashers does not work anymore. They started being inconsistent few days ago - but now are completely dead (except in rare cases where I manage to get 1 fast flash).
Using my basis knowledge,...
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Volvo V40 - How to locate the fault in central locking?
I bought a used Volvo V40 (2002). It worked great for about two weeks, after which the central locking stopped working. The FOB doesn't do anything, and each door has to be locked and unlocked ...
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How to check 05 mustang quality of lights and sensors quality
Is there any way to have the sensors for dashboard lights and digital interface tested? The guys at Sears said they didn't like the sound of my car though the fluids were all fine. It's funny they low ...
user7890
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How is alternator directly connected to vehicle electronics?
I've tried a lot of research but I can't find specifically what I'm looking for no one has actually mentioned this and I've looked at various wiring diagrams which still don't prove how this is ...
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Is remote start and cluster connected to 8.4in radio?
Just to get to the point, my car was broken into 2 days ago and the 8.4 inch navigation/radio was ripped out and stolen. I have to drive my car to/from work for a few days before I can get it fixed ...
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