If you’re driving and all of a sudden your car starts to sputter, it’s essential to know what might be wrong. In most cases, when a car has problems starting or running, it’s due to a lack of fuel. However, in some cases, it could be an electrical issue.
Today, at Feldman Chevrolet of Lansing, serving Grand Rapids, MI, we will talk about one specific electrical issue: the short circuit.
What is a Short Circuit?
A short circuit is a fault in your car’s wiring harness—the wiring harness shunts or shifts electricity between different circuits before it reaches its final destination. This can cause many problems, from making your car’s engine sputter to completely disabling it.
There are two types of electrical issues: shorts and open circuits. Shorts are electrical circuits that are shorter than they’re supposed to be. They can make your car’s engine sputter, completely disabling it. On the other hand, open circuits are electrical circuits that aren’t connected properly. This can also cause a wide variety of problems, from decreased performance to a car that won’t start at all.
Both are electrical issues, but short circuits have distinct signs and cause different problems. If you’re experiencing any electrical issue with your car, it’s best to take it to a mechanic and have them diagnose the problem.
How does an Electrical Short Circuit Happen?
The easiest way to explain it is that a short circuit is a fault in the wiring harness. The wiring harness is what connects all of the different circuits in your car—it shunts or shifts electricity between them, sending it where it needs to go. When there’s a break in the wiring, or when two wires come into contact with each other, it can create a short circuit. This causes current to flow through the wiring uncontrollably, often leading to overheating and damaging the electrical system.
How to Fix a Short Circuit?
If you feel there’s an electrical problem with your car, and you think you might have a short circuit, the first thing you need to do is identify where it’s happening. There are three familiar places for shorts to occur: in the engine bay, in the cabin, or near the battery. Once you’ve identified the short location, you can start troubleshooting.
A short circuit can be fixed with some simple repairs in most cases. If the problem is in the engine bay, you might need to replace a fuse or a wiring harness. If it’s in the cabin, you might have to replace a switch or a connector. And if it’s near the battery, you might have to clean the battery terminals or replace the battery.
If you think you will not be comfortable doing the repairs yourself, take your car to a mechanic. They will find and fix the problem quickly and easily.
Conclusion
Short circuits are serious electrical problems, and they should be fixed as soon as possible. If you ignore the issue, you could end up with a fried engine or, even worse, a fire. So don’t wait—fix the short circuit today!
At Feldman Chevrolet of Lansing, we’re experts in diagnosing and repairing car problems. Call us today so that we can help you get your car back on the road.
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