How to Fix Car Wiring Problems
|
Wire Colors for Cars and What They Mean: Troubleshooting Car Electrical Wiring Problems – Car Owners Manual – Rewiring a car requires tracing wires or the help of a wiring schematic to make sure the connections are correct and fuses do not blow. |
Troubleshooting Car Wiring
[ad#block]Home Electrical Troubleshooting Repairs Question:
Ok so I have some electrical experience in ac and dc and am very familiar with most things. I recently took off a remote start from a 1993 Subaru Impreza 1.8 and proceeded to rewire everything back like factory mostly it was just matching the colors as they did a pretty good job whoever installed the unit. Anyways i get it all done and I have a problem in the lighting switch under the hood to fuse no 5 which is taillights inside the car, what happens is the front left parking light i believe it is will stay on constantly unless u take out the lightning switch fuse under the hood. keep in mind this is with the light switch off and key off and the other 3 lights stay off. If I replace the fuses with equal rating they blow immediately as soon as i put them in, I tried putting in an over sized one just for a second to try and do some basic testing and everything stays the same that one light stays lit and the others don’t work at all. I have manually tested each light to confirm it is working and they did work before i took out the remote start however like i said all the factory wires that had been cut were clearly indicated mostly under the steering wheel and i just matched their colors back together. I’m kind of stumped as to what the next best thing for me to do is I can of course start taking everything apart and testing but I just don’t feel that’s the most effective option I thought the symptom of the light being on and draining the battery might spark an idea that would help me.
Thank you so much I greatly appreciate you taking your valuable time for me.
This home electrical wiring question came from: Matt, from Knoxville, Tennessee.
Additional Comments: Thank you for having this website up, this is information everyone should have a basic understanding of and I feel it is very important and you are doing the world a great service.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical troubleshooting question Matt.
Wire Colors for Cars and What They Mean
Rewiring a car requires tracing wires or the help of a wiring schematic to make sure the connections are correct and fuses do not blow.
Matt, their are a lot of wires in the dashboard area, especially leading up the steering column and matching the wires properly is crucial because there may be two or more wires of the same color that are used for something totally different. When rewiring just a few wires is one thing, but you have stated that the wiring has been cut so in order to make the correct splices the wiring may need to be traced or tested to identify it. Tracing wires is best performed with the help of a wiring diagram and a continuity tester or multimeter which can be used to test DC voltage as well.
Troubleshooting Car Electrical Wiring Problems
To remedy the problem of blowing the fuse and having the parking light stay on, I would suggest identifying what you have done so far, and disconnect the splices and work backwards, that way you have identified what is incorrect, and you can look for other wires that are not connected that you can trace and verify. So work the problem backwards and back track what you have done, identify the obvious or wiring that you have verified.
Blowing Car Fuses
Be careful about replacing fuses because this is the only way to prevent wires from overheating and melting or damaging other components. It would be best to remove some of the splices and get to the point of not blowing the fuse rather than installing a larger fuse and taking a chance on burning up some wires and causing damage.
Where to Get a Car Owners Manual
Libraries are a great source for Automobile and Car Owners Manuals that you can check out to help you to rewire your car or help troubleshoot electrical wiring problems with helpful car wiring diagrams.
More about Electrical Wiring
Electrical Wire for the Home
Complete listing of electrical wire types and parts used for home projects with electrical code information serves as selection guidelines.
How to Install Home Lighting
Lighting Electrical Codes
Electrical Rewiring
Wiring Electrical Codes
Using Testers to Identify Electrical Problems
Testers to Help Solve Electrical Problems
Troubleshooting Electrical Wiring
Types of Electrical Testers
Using Electrical Testers
The following may also be helpful for you:
Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
|
||||||||
Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.
The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!The Non-Contact Electrical TesterThis is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!The Plug-In Outlet TesterThis is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring. It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.
Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!The Wire Stripper and Wire CutterMy absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires. This handy tool has multiple uses: The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation. The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.. The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use. |
||
| More articles about Car Wiring, Electrical Troubleshooting, Electrical Wiring and Home Electrical Wiring: | |
| « Previous | Next » |
| How to Connect the Wires of a Ceiling Fan | Why Your Christmas Lights Go Off |
