Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Stack Exchange
Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [electrical]

Concerning the main electrical system of a motor vehicle or internal combustion engine. Consider using the [electronics] tag for radios and other such systems. Use the [electric-vehicle] tag for questions about electrical powered vehicles and their unique systems.

Electrical

Having to do with electric signal and power transfer via electrical energy through circuits.

Car Wiring Harness

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1806 questions
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Static electric shock as I leave the car

Now this has started to "interfere with concentration". It is happening when i am getting out and trying to close the door. I feel a static shock as i touch the metal part of the door as my foot touches the ground. I faced it in my last car as…
shabby
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What are the tradeoffs for positive vs. negative ground?

I just got a classic Ford 8N tractor running again. Someone trying to be helpful flipped the battery around, connecting negative to ground. This made the engine crank backwards! So I had spark, compression, and fuel but it wouldn't start. This got…
Jay Bazuzi
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Why do the lights flicker when I accelerate?

I have a 2003 Ford Focus. Recently, I've noticed that when I accelerate (step on the gas), all the lights on the car flicker. This happens to both the dash lights in the car and the headlights outside. They will pulse bright and dim while I'm…
Ben Miller
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When jumpstarting a car from another car can one connect the chassis of one car to the chassis of the other car?

When jump starting a car A using a car B, can one connect the chassis of both cars together instead of connecting the negative battery terminal of car B to the chassis of car A. In theory this seems to work as the negative battery terminals of both…
glamis
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8
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1 answer

What is the name of the following electrical symbol?

What is the name of the following symbol (in red) : This is from the front wiper motor schematic of a Toyota Corolla car. First time I have seen this. I searched a little bit on various websites but couldn't find the meaning.
tigrou
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6
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Should I disconnect the battery when working on my instrument cluster

I am going to be changing a few bulbs on my Opel Astra's instrument cluster. Part of the process involves disconnecting the entire cluster from the wiring harness and obviously replacing it when done. The cluster contains an Odometer and clock.…
Captain Kenpachi
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why have car grounding strips disappeared?

When I was a child, I remember most cars having a grounding strip, like the one in the picture below: But nowadays, I don't see any car having them. What is the reason they have disappeared / become unneeded?
Thomas
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How can I elegantly secure a USB charging cable to the dashboard?

In extension of this Q about the power outlet I have a related question about how to secure the USB charging cable that runs from the power plug in the cigarette lighter socket to the corner of the windshield? I have a GPS device (or a cell phone…
Torben Gundtofte-Bruun
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Where is the "Black Box" in a vehicle and what does it record?

I've seen a "black box" referred to by the media in the past and again today in the reporting of the death of Aubrey McClendon. The headline on the TV said "Police retrieve the Black Box from vehicle". Is this a real device or do investigators pull…
JPhi1618
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Hour meter stopped turning

I have an hour meter for my engine in the middle of my tachometer. It has stopped incrementing when the engine is on. I pulled the tach (which works fine) and all of the four wires that attach to it are well connected. How can I go about…
Justin R.
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Wires Coming Out Of Center Console

I bought a 2011 Ram 1500 about 6 months ago. I removed the rubber liner for a small compartment in my center console. When I tried putting it back I realized it would not go down all the way and found a small piece with 2 wires connected to it…
Ryan
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Can I run more stuff off of the radio accessory switch?

I'm hooking up a USB-charger to my Ford Fokus mk1, I want it to only run when the car is on, so I don't fry my battery. I noticed that the radio has an accessory switch that is only on if the ignition is on. Could I connect more stuff to this switch…
Kristoffer Nolgren
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2 answers

i have 1998 jeep cherokee 4x4 4.0 liter battery not charging

I have 1998 jeep cherokee 4x4 4.0L. I've tested the alternater, battery, starter, (they all tested good) and replaced the pick up coil, but the battery is still not charging. It's backfiring, the dash light goes haywire and the speedometer and rev…
missy
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4
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1988 Prelude guages stop working when hot

My tach,temp guage and fuel guage work fine when car is cool but when the car gets hot ( just sitting parked motor not running ) all 3 guages quit working . Any ideas ? Would deeply appreciate any ideas on what is causing it .
Don
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4
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loss of gauges on a 2003 Ford Escape

My son has a 2003 Ford Escape V6, that will all of a sudden have a loss of all gauges while he is driving and then they will come right back up with no loss of power. There has been times he has called me because his car won't start, it will turn…
Steve
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