Briefly, a short circuit is a problem caused by its wiring in an electrical circuit. Due to which the electricity goes to the circuits without reaching the right destination. Many people confuse it with an open circuit. But the two are completely different things. As a result of an open circuit, there is no flow of electricity in the electrical system. But when the circuit is shorted, the electricity flows but in the wrong direction. Although the symptoms of short circuit and open circuit are almost the same, the method of determining which is a short circuit and which is an open circuit is somewhat different. There may be short circuits for various reasons. Finding and repairing short circuits can be a daunting task. So before finding out the short circuit you need to understand how the electrical circuit works in the car.
The working method of the electrical circuit of the car
Electricity can flow from the car’s electrical circuit to the car’s electrical system in a variety of ways. And short circuits can disrupt the flow of electricity. The car’s electrical system can be divided into two parts. Sensors and actuators. Light sensors, switches, oxygen sensors are some of the sensors in the car. There are also motors, lights, etc. in the car.
A common sensor circuit, such as engine coolant temperature. These sensors work by transmitting electricity through the engine coolant temperature sensor (ECT) along with the engine control module (ECM). The ECM is usually located on the back of the gloves box, while the ECT is in the engine, which builds resistance based on temperature. When the ECT sensor is cold, its resistance is highest. As a result, the amount of voltage in the ECM is less. The engine warms up, the resistance of the ECT sensor decreases in that proportion. As a result, more voltage flows in the ECM.
Let’s talk about a simple actuator circuit, such as a headlight. Electricity is transmitted from car batteries to headlights through wires, fuses, switches, and waves. The headlight switch always has electricity. But until the driver switches on, no electricity is transmitted to the headlight bulb.
As long as these circuits are intact, there is usually no problem with the car’s wiring, and short-circuits do not occur. But for various reasons, the wiring of the electric wire of the car can be damaged. And then short circuits can happen. Accidents can happen due to a short circuit.
Different types of short circuits
There are usually two types of short circuits. Short-to-power and short-to-ground short circuits. These short circuits interfere with the proper flow of electricity to the sensor and the actuator.
Short-to-ground short circuit
When electricity moves from the circuit to the body of the vehicle, it is called a short-to-ground short circuit. Many times it can be torn or cut and stuck to the body of the car. This can lead to short-to-ground short circuits. This can cause the fuse to ignite, and the car’s motor or light sensor may not work. For example, a short-to-ground short circuit can cause the headlight fuse to ignite. This will reduce the overheating of the circuit but the headlights will not light up. Then you have to fix the fuse of the headlight again.
Short-to-power short circuit
Inside the car, there are many wires and electrical parts very close to the electrical circuit. These can be short-to-power short circuits flowing from the wire to the power circuit. There may even be a short circuit due to an uninterruptible power supply from one wire to another. For example, when replacing any part of a car, it can be cut and stuck to one another. If there is a short circuit, it can be seen that the light turns on when the horn is pressed or the horn sounds when the light switch is pressed!
Thousands of types of electric wires and long wires are used in a car. So these are likely to be short circuit. Short circuits can damage car parts and electrical parts. The battery may drain or the car may stop moving.
Rules for short circuit testing
Searching for short circuits requires a lot of time and patience. First, you will need an EWD. This allows the kite or multimeter and other parts of the body to be checked for rupture. Mark the circuit you want to test first. The wires in this circuit are connected to the car where it went and the color of the wires.
To test a 12-volt circuit, the test can first be started with a circuit fuse. This can be done by opening the fuse of the circuit and attaching the test light to both ends of the fuse socket. Using a multimeter in the same way, it is possible to check whether the electrical conduction is OK. Disconnect the positive connection of the battery and attach the positive probe of the multimeter to the load side of the fuse. And add the negative probe to the negative of the battery. If there is a short circuit then the multimeter will beep.
Now release the load side or sensor connector. If the light goes off or the multimeter stops beeping, then it must be understood that there is an internal problem on the load side.
Now reconnect the load or sensor. Open the connector somewhere in the middle of the night and try the same method. Such as switches. Now if the light goes out or the multimeter beeps, then it must be understood that a short circuit has been created somewhere between the load and the switch. Take a good look at the wire and wire pairs in this part.
Sometimes the short circuit can be stopped if you hold the wire with pressure. If it is seen that there is no short-circuit with pressure in such a place, then it should be understood that the place where the pressure is is the place of origin of the short circuit.
If the light does not go out or the multimeter beeps even after disconnecting the switch, then it must be understood that the circuit is still short somewhere. Now run the same test by pressing the other part of the wire. You can run this test until the lights go out.
Release the ECM and battery to check for short circuits in various 5-volt circuits that act as engine controls and sensors in the ECM. Now check the current flow using a multimeter. Set the multimeter probe between the circuit and the body of the car or between the engine. Now put the multimeter in the parts and find out which part has been a short circuit.
Once you can find out where the circuit is shorted, it’s time to repair it. Check the circuit again with a test light or multimeter before connecting the battery and installing a new fuse.
