Electrical Problems in Modern Cars – Common Issues and Fixes

While cars are becoming more and more complicated in terms of technology, owning and repairing them gets more expensive. An average vehicle today will have around 25 control modules which are basically separate computers. They are linked into one system and one malfunctioning unit can easily get you stranded.

So, in this article, I want to give a quick overview of all electrical problems that I've already written in this blog about and know the solutions for. You find the actual problems and use the links to learn more about a certain group of problems. Also, you may use search to learn more about some issues that I've described here, at Cararac.com.

Problems connected with batteries

A car battery is extremely important now. In modern vehicles, manufacturers tend to install AGM or EFB batteries that have more stable voltage than older types of batteries. And still, voltage problems are extremely dangerous for any modern vehicle.

All those dozens of computers require proper voltage to function well. If they fail to get proper voltage, they start glitching as crazy. Also, in extreme cases, they may eventually fail to survive. Frying control units will certainly not allow you to drive the car anymore.

So, battery problems are extremely important and this is one of the biggest sections in electrical issues in this blog. You can learn more about the problems in general or find your current issue and read about it.

Common problems with 12V batteries highlights:

• Possible reasons:battery age, driving conditions, drains, long sitting, electrical problems
• Types affected:all types
• Average age:4-5 years
• Most commonissues:low voltage, no crank, battery light, glitchy electronics
• Can you drive?only if it starts
• DIY fix:possible
• How much to fix?$150 - $250

Problems with control modules

Then, the next step in electrical problems is the set of issues with the control modules. While in many cases they may be caused by battery problems, they are sometimes triggered by other numerous issues.

If one of the control modules fails to work properly, there is a chance that certain functions or several functions won't work. Also, it's very hard to diagnose this problem and to find proper solutions. Replacing control modules can be complicated because they often need to be reprogrammed for your car.

These days, control modules control pretty much everything in your vehicle. So, if you can't locate a certain problem with your vehicle, there is a huge possibility that the problem is with one of the modules. Of course, wiring and software should also be checked before replacing one of the control units.

ECU problems highlights:

• Module's importance:Extremely high
• Prone to failure:Yes
• Reasons for failure:Water, damage, software, low voltage, high voltage
• Ways to reset:Cut power, use scanner tool
• Sphere of control:Engine and emissions
• Symptoms of failing:Engine anomalies, CEL light, no start, random warnings
• Price to repair:$150 - $350
• Price to replace:$800 - $1,700

Electrical problems with the engine

Engines have a ton of electrical components nowadays and they won't work properly if something is wrong with these electrical units. It's a usual thing for the majority of engines to even fail to start if something is not OK with these components.

It's not only about coils and plugs that supply the engine with the spark to burn the fuel. It's also about various sensors, electrical connections, signals, etc. Electrical issues are not only dangerous for the engine, they are also very hard to locate and repair.

It's very common for modern engines to develop electrical problems. Actually, every single process in your engine is controlled or operated by electrical units, pumps, coils, sensors, or other components.

Electrical power supply problems highlights:

• DIY repairs:possible (sometimes)
• Tools needed:electrical tools,basiccar repair tools
• Commonreasons:battery or alternator problems, wiring issues, power distribution problems
• Time to repair:2 - 5 hours
• Price for parts:$10 - $350
• Can you drive?In most cases, no
• Alternative solutions:jumping, roadside assistance

General electrical problems in cars

While there are a lot of specific issues with certain modules, there are also problems that cover the entire electrical system in your vehicle. Those are not just issues that embrace control units or wiring. They are very wide and usually hard to find.

It's obvious that you may initially find them just by investigating the symptoms. If you have zero experience in car inspection, you will certainly need help from a good car electrician who knows for sure where to look.

General problems with modern electrical systems in vehicles are very misleading at first and may lead to the replacement of a dozen modules unless your vehicle gets a good inspection. So, DIY repairs may eventually be pretty expensive, in these cases.

Common electrical problems highlights:

• Level of urgency:high
• DIY inspection:possible but complicated
• DIY repairs:impossible
• Can you drive?yes, if it starts
• Price of repairs:$300 - $650
• Ifignored:a lot of functions may not work, glitches, issues withequipment
• Ways to fix:check the wiring, battery, alternator, and the faulty equipment itself

Electrical gremlins in cars

One of the mysterious issues in a modern vehicle is the electrical gremlin. This is a type of problem that is hard to locate because it appears, spoils your mood, and then disappears without a trace to catch it.

Electrical gremlins aren't easy to locate because when you come to a repair shop, they are usually gone. Also, they may slowly kill a certain electrical module in your vehicle and eventually become a fatal problem.

If you have an electrical gremlin in your vehicle, register all the symptoms and find a good car electrician or mechanic to solve the problem. You may use your phone to film what's happening with your car. This will significantly help your mechanic locate the issue and find the proper cure for it.

Electrical gremlins highlights:

• Level of urgency:medium
• DIY inspection:impossible
• DIY repair:impossible
• Can you drive?yes
• Price for repairs:$0 - $300
• Symptoms:glitch, unusual behavior, temporary problem
• Ways to solve:check the battery voltage, check wiring and connections, take it to a professional mechanic

Infotainment system electrical problems

It's extremely common for any modern car to develop infotainment system problems. While sometimes those are connected with glitches in software, very often, this is the consequence of electrical issues.

Your infotainment is just another computer in your car that has a touchscreen and separate software. It can heat up in the sun and eventually fail. Or its cooling system may malfunction. Or there can be problems with connections and electrical supply.

In most cases, the glitchy screen will have to be replaced with a new one. But before you spend your money on a very expensive system, you should check whether other possible solutions will work.

Infotainment glitch problems highlights:

• Reasons:overheating, electrical damage, software problems, connection issues
• Quick fix:manual restart
• Price forrepair:$150 - $800
• Time forrepair:1 - 3 hours
• Howcommon:quite common for modern cars
• DIYrepair:sometimes possible