The electrical system in your car is vital as it's connected to many other devices and systems that allow the vehicle to run smoothly. However, just like any other car systems, the electrical system may pick up a problem or two down the line. When this happens, it can be quite hard to nail down the culprit because of the many components that make up your vehicle's electrical system. Knowing the symptoms of electrical faults in your car is essential as it helps you plan for repairs early and keeps you and your vehicle from harm's way. Short-circuit failures are some of the problems you may encounter. And just like in your home, short circuits can be dangerous and often require prompt action. With that in mind, here's how you notice the problem.

The Smell of Burning Plastic

Short circuits are often a result of electrical components drawing too much power than usual. Consequently, the excess power starts heating the electrical wiring and melting the plastic insulation on the wires, hence the melting smell. Stop your car immediately if you experience this because you could have a more severe and dangerous electrical malfunction. Do this, especially if you start seeing smoke.

Failing Car Electronics

If your car electronics, especially the stereo systems, start failing all of a sudden or more often than usual, it could be a result of a short circuit problem. Most of these systems tend to draw more power and could thus become faulty. Check whether you added any new stereo systems or electronics to your car recently as these could be putting more demand on the car's electrical system, resulting in short-circuiting.

The Fuse Won't Stop Blowing

When did you last replace the fuse? Generally, the fuse should last if your vehicle's electrical system is functioning well. But if your car has an overvoltage problem, which in turn would mean short circuits, the fuse will blow out, breaking the circuits and protecting your electrical components from being damaged because of drawing too much power. As you replace the fuse, make sure your mechanic inspects and fixes the issues behind the fuse blowing. If not, you will end up replacing the fuse more than once in just a short period. Notice when the fuse blows out because, in most cases, it happens at the same time as the electronics failing. This could come in handy in helping your mechanic confirm the short circuit problem.

To learn more, contact a car service.