Having issues with your car's electrical system can be extremely frustrating. Strange electrical gremlins can leave you stranded or force you to shell out big bucks for repairs. But before you call the mechanic, there is a little-known trick you can try yourself to fix faulty wiring and prevent those expensive garage bills.
Why Automotive Wiring Fails
Automotive electrical systems are complex and demanding. Your vehicle's wiring harness carries power and signals to components all over the car. This wiring is subjected to vibration, moisture, temperature swings, and more. Over time, this can lead to:
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Frayed or broken wires - Vibration and movement can cause the wire insulation to break down and expose or damage the copper conductors. This leads to shorts and open circuits.
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Corroded connections - Moisture causes corrosion in electrical connectors leading to increased resistance and voltage drops. Corroded grounds are a common issue.
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Damaged insulation - Heat, cold, moisture, and abrasion breaks down the wire insulation leading to shorts between wires.
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Faulty grounds - The vehicle body is used to ground many circuits. Rust, paint buildup, and loose connections cause poor grounds.
These issues manifest themselves through all sorts of electrical gremlins - no starts, dead batteries, flickering lights, and so on. Tracking them down can be a nightmare. But before you call the mobile auto electrician, try this simple trick first.
The Little-Known Fix - WD-40 to the Rescue
One quick and effective solution to many automotive electrical issues is to spray everything down with WD-40! Here's why this works:
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Displaces moisture - WD-40 will push water out of crevices and components, solving corrosion issues.
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Cleans connections - The light solvents in WD-40 will dissolve built-up grime and oxidation on connections.
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Protects against corrosion - The ingredients leave an anti-corrosion protective film on metal surfaces.
Many intermittent electrical issues are caused by corrosion and poor connections. Spraying everything down with WD-40 can often dissolve away the grime and moisture ruining your car's electrical system.
How to Use WD-40 on Car Electrical Systems
Fixing your wiring issues with WD-40 is simple:
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Locate components - Track down wiring harnesses, connectors, grounds, and electrical components.
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Spray liberally - Use the red straw on the WD-40 can to get into tight areas. Coat all wires, connectors, grounds and components.
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Let sit & dry - Give the WD-40 time to work before starting anything. The solvents need time to cut through grime.
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Start vehicle - With everything dried, try starting the car or testing the electrical system. Many issues will now be resolved!
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Repeat as needed - If problems still exist, repeat the spraying process targeting problem areas. It may take a few applications.
The light solvents combined with water displacing and corrosion protection abilities give WD-40 unique properties to fix automotive electrical systems. Take care not to overspray onto belts, hoses, and pulleys.
Real-World Examples of WD-40 Fixing Electrical Issues
Many people have experienced great success using this trick. For example:
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"My Ford truck had an intermittent no start condition. Sprayed down the ignition system with WD-40 and it's been starting fine since."
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"The dash lights in my old Pontiac were flickering and random. I coated the fuse box and grounds in WD-40. Haven't had an issue in months now."
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"My mechanic suggested I try WD-40 on my BMW's electrical gremlins. I sprayed the engine bay and also under the dash. It actually worked to fix it!"
WD-40 is able to resolve many electrical headaches thanks to its unique solvent and protective abilities. It's worth trying before you resort to drastic repairs.
Caveats and Warnings
While this trick works great in many cases, here are some precautions:
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Avoid overspray - Keep WD-40 away from drive belts, pulleys, rubber hoses, etc as it can cause slippage or deterioration.
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Test before driving - Fix safety items like lights before operating vehicle. Never drive blindly after repairs.
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No permanent fix - WD-40 may only get systems working temporarily. Proper wiring repairs may still be required.
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Hazardous when wet - Never spray WD-40 near fire hazards or operating electrical components.
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Ventilation needed - Use in well ventilated area and avoid breathing vapors.
While WD-40 isn't a permanent fix for faulty wiring, it can get you out of a jam and help diagnose issues. Be smart and safe when using this automotive electrical trick.
Conclusion
Strange electrical issues don't always require complicated repairs. Before calling a mechanic, try using WD-40 throughout the wiring system. Its ability to displace moisture and clean connections can fix many common electrical problems. Spray down wires, grounds, connectors, and components. Let it sit before testing. For many vehicles, this quick trick can resolve electrical gremlins and avoid costly garage bills. Just be smart, cautious, and don't expect it to be a permanent fix. Give the WD-40 wiring fix a shot and get your vehicle's electrical system working properly again!