Auto Electrical Repair and Car Electronic System Diagnostics, San Antonio
Electrical Diagnostics & Repair by Auto Service Experts
The technicians at our San Antonio mechanic shop are ASE Master Certified in auto Electrical Repair and Car Electronic System diagnostics and repair. Contact us today with any questions or needs regarding Automotive Electrical Systems repair or diagnostic service.
Automotive Electrical System Diagnostics on Corvette
Today’s cars are more electronically controlled than ever. Your vehicle’s computer and electrical system affect almost every major automotive system. Electrical problems may cause various issues, such as the need for brake repair due to electronic problems within the Anti-Lock brake system. Electronic diagnostics are often also involved in transmission repairs and rebuilds, as the transmission control module is electronically controlled.
Similarly, your auto AC system involves several electronic components, such as the control panel and AC control switch. For this reason, AC repair and auto electrical repair are often interrelated. If your car doesn’t start, electrical diagnostics can determine whether there is a charging system problem, such as a bad alternator, the vehicle requires a starter replacement, or some other malfunction is causing the problem.
Alternator Operation and Functions
In today’s vehicles, alternators work harder than ever because they are responsible for recharging the car battery and generating power for the ever-increasing number of automotive electrical components such as GPS, Engine Management Computers, stability control, and many more.
About Automotive Electrical Systems
All electrical circuits operate according to the laws of physics. Auto electrical systems, in particular, operate according to Ohm’s law, which describes the relationship between amperage, current, and voltage. This law allows us to use the information available about two variables to test for the third unknown variable.
Electrical System Terms:
- Current – The motion of electrical charge or flow of electrons within an electronic circuit.
- Direct Current (DC) – electrons all flow in the same direction.
- Alternating Current (AC) – directions of electrons vary according to a wave pattern.
- Bridge Rectifier – converts AC from the alternator to DC to charge the car battery and power other major automotive systems.
- Amps – the units by which electrical currents are measured. An ammeter measures amps.
- Voltage – measured in volts and refers to the electromotive force which makes a current flow through a circuit.
- Ohms – units that measure resistance in an electrical flow.
Our ASE Mechanics are Qualified and Experienced in Hybrid Car Maintenance and Electric Vehicle Repair.
Auto Service Experts Mechanic Replacing ABS Actuator on 2007 Toyota Prius Hybrid
Electrical System Components:
- Alternator – charges your car battery by generating DC and powers other automotive electrical components.
- Battery – powers car starter and car ignition and helps alternator power other auto electrical components as needed.
- Starter – starts vehicle engine when you turn the key in the ignition.
- Wires – electrical circuit conductors. The amount of current a wire can carry is relative to its size.
- Wire Harness – plastic or metal clips that hold a group of wires together and serve as connectors.
- Headlights
- Power Steering
- Power Windows and Seats
Electrical and Electronics Repair by San Antonio’s Auto Service Experts
Electrical System Repair on Hybrid Toyota Prius
Common Auto Electrical Circuit Faults:
- Open Circuits – a circuit break (often due to poor connections) stops the current flow and can disable auto electrical components connected to the circuit.
- Causes:
- Poor Connection
- Open Fuse
- Component Failure
- On/Off Switch
- Causes:
- Ground Shorts – a wire touching the ground due to damaged insulation can cause the current to be prematurely grounded.
- Power Shorts – voltage shorts between two circuits or between one branch of a circuit and another.
- High Resistance – may cause circuit load to function poorly, or prevent operation entirely.
- Causes:
- Wire Damage
- Corroded or Contaminated Connections
- Causes:
- Low Resistance – may damage wires, controllers, or other circuit components.
- Causes:
- or malfunction of loads/resistors.
- Causes: