Electrical/Electronic Systems

Car & Truck Electrical/Electronic Systems

Electrical Diagnostics & Repair

Your automobile’s electrical system is complicated and is responsible for communicating with almost every component in your vehicle. When this communication becomes interrupted or fails, it can trigger a system alert usually resulting in a check engine light, transmission light, battery light, abs light, etc. These warnings should never be ignored and can be indications of an electrical component failure, wiring problem, or a mechanical issue. By having your vehicle’s electrical system scanned immediately when any of these warning lights pop up, there is a much better chance of catching an issue at it’s early stages, before a major problem occur. Simply ignoring these lights can often result in further damage to other components on your vehicle that could have been easily avoided.

Electrical system problems can be difficult to diagnose properly, especially with the vehicle being built today. Without the correct electrical diagnostic tools to properly diagnose vehicles, along with highly skilled technicians, diagnosing electrical issues can be nearly impossible. Wisener’s Auto Clinic has developed a solid team of extraordinarily gifted technicians who know electrical systems inside and out. Our ASE Master Certified Technicians take great pride in being the industry leading experts when it comes to electrical system diagnosis and will do whatever it takes to properly diagnose your vehicles electrical issues.

Wiring

Automotive wiring is exposed and subject to extreme temperatures, the elements and road hazards. It is no wonder that with time the protective coating on the wires deteriorates exposing bare wires or brake all together. Todays complex systems depend more and more on wiring creating a very complex system to troubleshoot. Pinpointing the source of a short or broken wire can be time consuming and if not repaired properly can develop into costly repairs and or component damage. Wisener’s Auto Clinic has developed a solid team of extraordinarily gifted technicians who know electrical systems inside and out. Our ASE Master Certified Technicians take great pride in being the industry leading experts when it comes to electrical system diagnosis and will do whatever it takes to properly diagnose your vehicles electrical issues.

Lights & Bulbs

Gone are the days that anyone could change a headlight bulb on their vehicle. Reaching the bulb may require extensive disassembly of your vehicle and then you face a maze of choices… Halogen? HID? Xenon? LED? Or Laser Headlights? Then brands make it even more complex…Daylight? White Light? Its enough to make one lose hair. Taking short cuts or ignoring lighting problems can make for a police officer stop or affect your safety and that of others. Its very important to replace the bulb with the proper bulb. Whether you have an issue, want to make your night drive look more stylish or need to improve your night visibility, we got you covered. We offer a wide array of choices to meet your needs and budget.

Computer & Module Diagnostics

Vehicles are equipped with multiple actuators and sensors that are connected to computers, ensuring everything runs the way it should. Some of these computers include the PCM, ECM, ECU and TCM. The PCM, ECM and TCM will all create symptoms when going bad, most of which are performance issues.

1. Engine Won’t Start
When one of these vital modules goes bad, the engine might not start at all. When you go to start the engine, any faults can cause the system to shut down to protect it from further damage. Additionally, the engine might run with problems. If you notice misfiring, stuttering, a rough idle or stalling, it could be due to a faulty module. When this happens, you might also see warning lights on the dashboard.

2. Transmission Not Shifting Smoothly
When the modules go bad, they can affect the way the transmission works. You might notice rough shifting and inappropriate shifting times. There could also be some hesitation when you step on the gas pedal. When shifting problems occur, it is often related to the TCM on older vehicles and the PCM on modern models.

3. Poor Fuel Economy
For optimal fuel efficiency, the engine and transmission must run as intended. Whenever some of the balance is off, the fuel efficiency can suffer. You might first notice trouble when you take the vehicle for emissions testing. However, if you are monitoring your fuel economy and you notice a decrease, you might find the problem early.

Diagnosing these complex systems requires complex tooling and manufacturers specific software. You no longer need to go to the dealership to have these diagnosed, repaired and or programmed.

Fuses & Circuits: What is the Fuse all about?

Fuses, found in the fuse box, are low-resistance resistor devices that protect the circuits in the car from excessive current. Fuses are made to blow if the circuit gets more current than it is supposed to, protecting the circuit from the high current flow. There can be multiple fuses in multiple locations. The fuses should always be replaced with the specified fuse. All fuses come with the “AMP” value written on top of it. The fuse box will specify the correct value of fuse required.

Keep in mind:
If a fuse blows, is replaced, and then blows again, it indicates a problem with the electrical system. Something is causing the overload. Be sure to have the car inspected.
How it’s done:

• Test fuses using a test lamp.
• Remove and replace the faulty fuse.
• Inspect fuse block for corrosion or melted holders.

Our recommendation:
Any time an electrical component of your vehicle stops working, you should schedule an inspection. There’s no way to perform regular maintenance on fuses, but they’re a straightforward and affordable repair when you notice that one is blown. What common symptoms indicate you may need to replace the Fuse? One or more electrical components are not working (lights, radio, etc.).

How important is this service?
Fuses are resistors that send power to the electrical components of your car. Fuses receive a large amount of current and lessen that amount of current before it is sent to each electrical part, so that the electrical components aren’t damaged by excessive power. When a fuse blows, electrical power will be not flow through it, and certain parts of your car will stop working. A blown fuse is unlikely to cause any damage to your vehicle, but the electrical components that rely on that fuse won’t resume working until the fuse is replaced.

Battery & Alternator

At Start-up your initial crank power is delivered by your battery. The battery is charged and maintained while the vehicle is running by the Alternator. The alternator (named after alternating current) ensures that your vehicle’s battery-powered components (such as the lights and accessories) are supplied with voltage and keeps the battery charged for the next ride.

What are the signs and symptoms of a bad alternator? Here are some common symptoms of a bad alternator:

• Indicator light going on: This also includes the battery light.
• Weak or dimming lights, especially noticeable at night: An alternator problem is especially likely if the lights brighten with an increase in RPM.
• Other electrical malfunctions: The alternator generates power for a vehicle’s electrical systems.
• Strange noises: A problem with an alternator’s belt or pulley may cause a squealing sound, while a problem with an alternator’s internal bearings may cause a grinding or growling noise.
• A burning smell: This may indicate a problem with the alternator’s belt or pulley.
• A healthy battery that cannot accept or hold a charge: Always have your “dead” battery tested before replacing it. A faulty alternator could be failing to recharge the battery during operation.

Starter

What your car starter actually starts is the combustion process of your engine. You turn or push your ignition, and the battery sends voltage to the starter. By activating a gear connected to the crankshaft, the starter motor turns the engine over. The rapid clicking sound many associate with a dead battery is actually the starter relay failing under insufficient voltage from the battery. Like the alternator, an evaluation of your starter begins by testing the voltage of your battery.

When do I need to replace my starter? There is no industry-standard replacement cycle for a car starter, and you may never need to replace your original part. But here are some signs that your starter needs to be replaced:

• The engine won’t turn over, especially if you hear a loud click instead (and your battery is healthy).
• The engine doesn’t crank consistently (and your battery is healthy).
• The starter grinds for your entire drive (the starter fails to turn off).