Servicing modern vehicles requires repairing or replacing physical components or diagnosing electrical issues within the car’s extensive wiring harness. Often, the latter can be characterized as irritating and exasperating in the face of electrical gremlins. If you’re curious how these electrical imps can turn even the most stoic auto repair technician into a sweating, swearing sailor, you’re in for a crash course on what to expect the next time you face complex electrical issues in your service bay.
This guide introduces the concept of electrical gremlins, which stems from one part etymology and one (or more) part silver screen. The included list of common electrical issues includes primary components that power your vehicle and how they can host electrical gremlins of their own. Alongside the tips listed below, Identifix Direct-Hit offers invaluable diagnostics and repair tools designed to help you combat electrical gremlins and find the appropriate solution, fast.
Electrical gremlins are frustrating circumstances in which the root cause of a wiring problem — regardless of the specific wiring or components involved — escapes one’s grasp. For most mechanics ranging from hobbyists to professionals, electrical gremlins remain as inevitable as they are memorable. Let’s take a look back in time to discover the history that might have informed the term “electrical gremlin.”
The word “gremlin” is thought to have come from the Old English word gremian, which means “to vex.” However, the more prevalent reference likely stems from the classic movie Gremlins, produced by Warner Bros. in 1984. Harbingers of mischief, mayhem, and countless shenanigans, these furry-yet-fierce mogwai — Cantonese for “devil” — must not be fed after midnight or exposed to water or sunlight.
Pop culture references aside, electrical gremlins continue to stump auto repair technicians and cause them no end of grief. The technological advances that have driven the automotive industry forward contribute to even more favorable conditions for electrical gremlins due to the sheer complexity and physical amount of wiring present in a single vehicle. Against such odds, staying away from water, sunlight, and food after midnight can seem like a welcome alternative.
Diagnosing a worn brake pad or coolant leak appears simple compared to troubleshooting faulty sensors, intermittent connections, and other electrical gremlins. However, approaching these vexing problems strategically — component by component — can help you narrow down the cause and propel you faster toward the corresponding fix. Below, explore the most common electrical issues modern cars — and skilled technicians — face.
Without a battery, almost every car would fail to start — including electric vehicles (EVs). However, car batteries aren’t necessarily a plug-and-play solution. Age, extreme temperatures, and auxiliary drain contribute to battery failure.
A battery may suddenly refuse to work or exhibit symptoms that indicate a slow death. When batteries begin to fail, they can cause numerous problems, from trouble starting the engine to electronic system malfunctions and even power loss. Solving battery issues often requires a complete replacement.
Batteries supply power to a vehicle, but it’s the alternator that supplements the battery to ensure it remains charged. The alternator supplements the battery’s power as your engine runs, but without it, the battery and your vehicle lose power. Failing alternators may alert the engine control module (ECM) to flag a dashboard warning light and require repair or replacement.
If you think of the wiring between your vehicle’s critical components as roadways, exposure to moisture and salt comprise conditions that impede power flow. Melted components and cuts also make it harder for electrical signals to flow between points. While the majority of faulty electrical connections can be repaired, some require a complete rewiring.
Designed to protect sensitive and expensive parts by sacrificing their own internals, fuses and relays break the electrical connection after experiencing overcurrent. The occasional blown fuse or relay can be typical of normal wear and tear. However, recurring overcurrent can indicate a larger problem that requires further diagnosis.
The majority of sensors are designed to monitor conditions and alert drivers according to their programming. However, faulty sensors can fail to alert drivers or mistakenly alert them to situations that do not exist. Although most advanced safety systems that incorporate multiple sensors can pinpoint the faulty sensor, the complexity of these modern systems can make it more challenging to diagnose multi-cause issues that can arise.
Approach the diagnosis of electrical gremlins strategically to improve your chances of success — that is, finding the cause of the electrical issue and identifying the corresponding solution. Start at one end and reference full-color, interactive wiring diagrams like those Direct-Hit offers to work your way toward the other end. With Direct-Hit Mobile and a multimeter at your side, you can bring those diagrams with you as you trace out connections and verify specifications.
Diagnosing electrical gremlins often involves narrowing down what does and doesn’t work. Here’s a basic list of ways you can diagnose electrical gremlins in modern vehicles:
For more exclusive year, make, and model-specific diagnostic protocols, subscribe to Identifix Direct-Hit. You’ll gain access to over 3 million confirmed fixes, 350+ video training modules, and a virtual technician hotline perfect for diagnosing complex repairs.
Although not necessarily a technical term, an electrical gremlin loses power when you’re able to give it a name using a diagnostic tool like an OBD-II code reader. Valuable resources such as Identifix Direct-Hit equip you with the knowledge necessary to put electrical gremlins to rest once and for all.
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