Modern vehicles contain increasingly more additional extras that run from the car’s battery. Problems with your electrics could be a signal that there is something more serious going on below the surface of your car. The following article explains some common faults and possible causes with a car’s electrical system.
• Dimmed Lights is an easy to spot symptom. If when the engine is running head the lights appear dim when you are not moving there could be a problem with the alternator. This means that the power to start the car would come from the battery and eventually drain the battery. If the battery runs out you won't have enough power to start your car. If this is the case then the alternator will need to be replaced which is quite expensive.
• The Interior Lights can also help you to spot a problem. Switch on all the lights inside the vehicle and look out for any which don’t light up along the dash. If there is one or more that do not light up then it could be caused by a fuse that has blown. You can check if this is the case by finding the fuse box from looking at the engine with fuse diagrams. Find the wire that runs through the transparent part of the fuse and look out for any light burns. If there is no discolouration then the problem is elsewhere. It may alternatively be caused by a bulb that has burnt out. It could also be corroded contacts which are only a minor job to repair.
• If you are viewing a Second Hand Car you should still check out the electrics to save yourself unnecessary trouble in the long run. If you think there is a problem with the electrical system you should ask the seller if you can view the service history. Check on the history to see when the battery was last changed. Batteries need to be changed every four years. If it hasn't been changed ask if they’ll be prepared to fit a new one. Its advised that if you do buy the car that you take it to a garage to inspect the alternator and other electrical parts to make sure they all function correctly.