Indications of faulty electrical car system

Many recent car models have a lot of electrification, especially the automatic driven cars.
A car strictly depends on the electrical system for most of its functions and will have faults depending on the efficiency of the system.
According to Bosco Kigongo, a mechanic with Iconic Garage in Kinawataka, Wakiso District, before a car can break down, it could have given numerous indications pointing to a defect in the system.
Therefore, he says, you must always be on the outlook especially when the following happen.

Battery failing to hold charge
A car battery, according to Kigongo, is the custodian of power supply and failure to hold charge, indicates either a malfunction or old age.
This might be a result of an internal defect, low electrolyte, lose or corroded terminal and alternator not charging at correct output.
It might also be a result of a faulty voltage regulator, short circuit and broken auxiliary drive belt, among others.
All the above, Kigongo says, can lead to malfunction and would require a checkup by a specialised mechanic who has some experience in regard to wiring.

Ignition warning light fails to switch on
Normally when starting the car all lights display on the dash board. However, in some cases the ignition warning light will fail to switch on, which might point to a blown bulb, broken wiring or a faulty alternator.

Lights inoperative
Lights are very essential on a car, especially for lighting and indication on the road during day and night.
However, according to Ronald Mutyba, a mechanic on Rubaga Road, lights might fail due to blown out bulbs, corrosion of bulb holders, blown fuse, faulty relay, broken and loose or disconnected wiring.

Inaccurate or erratic readings
Inaccurate or erratic dashboard display of different items such as fuel gauge, temperature and acceleration, among others, could point to a faulty voltage regulator, gauge and a wiring short circuit.
Dashboard readings, such as acceleration, according to Kigongo, are supposed to move in tandem with the speed of the engine.
However, if there are indication of constant or maximum display such as temperature, this might point to a faulty radiator system, which calls for urgent attention.

Failing horn
A car horn is one item that must operate at all times and should give satisfactory sound.
“I drove from Entebbe after my horn had jammed to work. It did not feel normal at all. I would forget and try to hoot yet it wasn’t working,” says Royce Nakimera, a special hire driver.
Such failures, according to Kigongo, might be a push stuck down effect, blown out fuse, loose cable or connection, and a broken or disconnected system.
However, it is possible that the horn might itself be faulty.

Inoperative wipers
Eric Mafaranga had driven around with inoperative wipers until he was caught up in a heavy downpour while driving to Jinja.
“I could barely see. I just had to park on the side until it stopped raining,” he says, emphasising how he cannot drive a car before he ascertains that the wipers are working.
Wipers can fail, according to Mutyba, due to stuck up wiper blades, blown out fuse, loose cable connection or a dented windscreen.