Electrical problems aren’t always that fun to sort out, but if you’ve got knowledgeable help from Toy Doctor, you’re in good hands. Here are some simple ways you can start to recognize electrical issues in your Toyota when they’re still smaller concerns.
The Headlights Are Dimmer than Usual
It’s not always easy to spot right away, but if your headlights seem not to be as bright as usual, you’re probably not imagining it. When the battery or other parts of the electrical system aren’t working properly, they’re not able to keep up with the electrical demands of your car’s various systems.
Accessories Don’t Function Properly
One of the systems that you might notice having trouble is the one that supplies power to different accessories that you use in your car. Accessories and additional components typically need power form your car’s battery and alternator in order to function. If they aren’t able to get power because your Toyota’s electrical system is having issues, then you’ll notice the components acting oddly.
The Battery Light Is On
When there’s a problem in the electrical system, you’re likely to see the battery light or its equivalent, such as the ALT or GEN light. These are important lights to pay attention to because they can often alert you to problems well before some of these other symptoms might. That allows you to take action before you have a serious issue.
You’re Smelling Hot Electrical Smells
Any time that you’re smelling something like hot electrical smells, that’s a bad sign. It’s typically the smell of electrical insulation melting, but it can get a lot worse fast. If you are smelling something like this, it’s best not to drive the car because you don’t want to let the electrical problem burn through anything else.
The Car Won’t Start
Finally, one big sign of electrical issues can be that the car won’t start at all. Your car needs both the battery and the alternator to start and to keep running. No power? The car doesn’t start at all. This usually happens after you’ve noticed some of the other symptoms listed above, unless the problem is a big one.
You don’t have to guess about what’s going on with your Toyota’s electrical system. Give us a call at Toyota Doctor in Denver, CO. We’ll do some comprehensive diagnostic testing and get you the information you need to make the right repair decisions.
