Your car has an electrical system that helps it to have the power it needs to keep running and to power the components you use in the car. Brown Automotive Repair has these tips for noticing when your electrical system is in trouble.
There’s a Burning Smell When the Car Is On
Electrical fires are extremely bad news in a car. Before anything catches on fire, though, you’re more likely to smell something hot or that smells as if it has burnt. This usually happens when insulation around wiring starts to melt and burn off. If you’re smelling anything that smells hot or burnt when your car is running, turn the car off.
The Battery Terminals Are Corroded
The battery is part of your car’s electrical system and it can be part of what isn’t functioning properly. If you’re checking your oil levels regularly, you should also be taking a couple of seconds to peek at your battery. Look at the posts, or the battery’s terminals, and see if there’s any corrosion. This is typically a white, powdery residue and it’s a sign that there’s something going wrong with your battery.
The Headlights and Other Lights Are Too Dim
You may not have a light meter to test this one out, but you’ll definitely notice if your car’s headlights and other lighting just seems a little less bright. In extreme situations, you might notice a big difference between how bright those lights are usually and how bright they are right now. The problem isn’t the lights, it’s the power the lights aren’t getting that’s the problem.
Accessories and Components Don’t Work
Accessories are typically something extra that you plug into your car’s auxiliary power ports. When the car doesn’t have enough extra power to spare on those devices, they won’t function properly. In some cases, they might not even turn on at all. That might make you think that there’s something wrong with the device, especially if other things seem to be working fine in your car.
You Can’t Start the Car
The biggest sign of electrical problems in your car is that you can’t get the car started at all. Either the battery doesn’t have enough charge to start the car or the alternator is malfunctioning. Or the problem could be both. Don’t guess. Take your car in for diagnostic testing.
Need help with your car’s electrical system? Give us a call at Brown Automotive Repair in Trussville, AL. We can troubleshoot the situation and recommend the right repair for your car’s needs.