How to Troubleshoot like a Car Electrical Specialist
Troubleshooting an electrical problem tends to be a frustrating experience, but don’t worry. You might blow your temper, but since cars use DC (direct current) you won’t get more than a tingle of a shock, even if your shoes are wet and you are standing in a puddle. (Unless you’ve got a hybrid or electric vehicle, in which case it’s much safer just to take it to a professional car electrical specialist. Just take our word for it.) You don’t need to be a car electrical specialist to self-diagnose basic problems, though of course it helps. Just keep in mind that you may need to call a professional anyway once you suspect what the problem is.
Check Your Circuits for Electrical Problems Before Calling an Expert
The first step to checking your car’s electrical system is to check for the presence of voltage at the load point of a circuit, which is the element that the circuit is supposed to power. Use a voltmeter or a 12-volt test light that glows when there is voltage. If there is no voltage, check the circuit box. Use a 5- or 10-amp fuse to check the circuit until you’ve found one that works. Then you’ve isolated the problem. If you are still unable to locate the problem, contact a professional mechanic who specializes in vehicle electrical problems. They can run some diagnostics to quickly get to the heart of the problem.
If you’ve just read this paragraph and felt yourself go a little bit cross-eyed because you aren’t sure what any of these things mean, just call your trusted car electrical specialist. In the time you go buy yourself a voltmeter, and watched a couple of YouTube videos to figure things out for yourself, you could potentially have your problem solved. Trust us, if you are already confused, don’t waste any more time, take it to the specialists and get back on the road ASAP.