Your cars are made to handle a beating from the rain and damp weather, but water will always get in. Too much rain or a large puddle can shove the moisture to where it shouldn't be tight engine compartments. When water rests close to exposed wires or plugs it reduces the flow of electricity. When tiny droplets of water cause a tiny bit of rust in your wire harnesses, it can creep up on you until that minor damage creates a much larger problem. We at Apex AutoTech Programming & Performance have had many a driver ignore the damp, tiny spots until it's time for an Auto Electrical System Repair in Rowlett, TX.

Flickering Lights and Glitching Dash Displays

Your goal is for your headlights to come on and be as big and bright as possible. Water leaks may cause corrosion at the plugs behind your dash, which in turn causes your headlights to be dim or flickering. Perhaps you've noticed some strange warning lights on your main panel board, or that your gauges are bouncing back and forth without cause. At first you might think one of your warning lights isn't working and a bulb is out, but the water in the car is actually causing an electrical short under your hood, and if you continue to drive your car with that inconsistent electrical current, you can slowly burn out your electronic parts and they can cost hundreds of dollars to replace.

Bizarre Electrical Odors and Blown Fuses

Live wires and water both generate a lot of heat and sparks. As you sit at the red light, you may notice the smell of melting plastic or the smell of burning metal. That's because the water-logged wire gets so hot that it melts through the softer rubber covering it, causing your fuse box to blow a fuse. The fuse can be replaced without removing the water-logged wire, but drivers often turn to Apex AutoTech Programming & Performance for Auto Electrical System Repair in Rowlett, TX when the fuse keeps blowing for no apparent reason.

Battery Drain and Difficulties Starting

Your battery should last the night and start your vehicle the next morning with no problems. That water standing in your electrical harness is the perfect size to make a mini power drain that will gradually drain your battery while you sleep. When you turn the key there's no roar from the engine, just a faint click.  Water streaming into your starter motor prevents the electricity from doing its job, and their experts can detect these silent power drains to determine where the moisture's hiding.

Sudden Power Window and Lock Failures

Your car's electric door locks and windows are powered by tiny motors in your door panels. If it's pouring rain, water drips in past the window seals and ends up pooling in the bottom of the door. The next time you push your window switch, the window creeps up slowly or gets partway up and then stops. Drivers facing this issue often bring their vehicle to Apex AutoTech Programming & Performance for Auto Electrical System Repair in Rowlett, TX to clear out the trapped moisture. But switches don't help when there's water in the motor connectors in the door casing.

How Humidity Causes Wire Connection Corrosion

Fuses are not friendly to metal wires that have power going through them. Moisture and electricity create a nice environment for rust to develop. Rust that appears as a powdery green coating on your metal cable ends prevents the flow of electricity to your radio, air conditioner, and ignition system. Their expert understands that to let rust sit in is to let it travel farther down the wiring harness.

How Mechanics Fix Wet Electrical Systems

When wet car wiring has soaked a circuit, a seasoned mechanic takes time to repair the problem properly. Using digital meters, they test for the correct electrical current in each line, dry out the harness plugs, scrub away green rust residue, and cover any open wiring with weather-proof caps. Replacing any broken wires ensures your vehicle stays safe, even in the worst downpour. Without the right diagnostic equipment, it's impossible to fix modern car wiring, so get Auto Electrical System Repair in Rowlett, TX from Apex AutoTech Programming & Performance.

FAQs

Will Water Damage My Car Wiring Permanently?

Yes, water damage can cause permanent damage if a big short circuit occurs or a main control module gets really rusty. If you repair the wet connections early before they turn into permanent electrical failures then you are ok.

How Do I Know My Auto Electrical Problems Are Water Related?

If you notice any electrical problems immediately after driving through high water, heavy rain, or washing the vehicle, water is probably to blame.

Can I Drive With Flickering Headlights After Rain?

It's not safe, flickering headlights indicate an irregular electrical current which means they will turn off. Your engine sensor and lights can shut off altogether even while you're moving at night.