The cold of winter may be over, but the cold weather has lasted, and with it, your vehicle’s auto electrical system may still be susceptible to the various issues that the cold weather presents. The auto electricians at Chamberlains Auto Electrical discuss the most common problems that cold weather causes to auto electrical components and the solutions we offer.
What Auto Electrical Components are Effected by Cold Weather?
Batteries
Issues with vehicle batteries are one of the, if not the most common, electrical problems that vehicles experience in cold weather. Car batteries work using chemical reactions to produce electricity. In cooler temperatures, these reactions can slow down, meaning your vehicle’s battery has to work harder to start the engine, making it more susceptible to failure.
Despite this, battery technology has developed to a point where this should not be an issue with a healthy car battery. If your vehicle starts to experience battery issues in cold weather, it is often a sign that the battery will be replaced. Did you know that typically a vehicle battery lasts 3-4 years? If your car battery is experiencing issues or has ceased to work, contact an auto electrician such as Chamberlains Auto Electrics to fix the issue.
Alternators
Your vehicle’s alternator is important and is responsible for charging the battery and powering your vehicle’s electrical systems when the vehicle is running. Cooler weather can strain the alternator due to the additional power demands colder weather requires for things such as heaters, headlights, window wipers, heated seats, etc, all of which can add extra wear and tear to the alternator and potentially cause a premature alternator failure.
Reputable auto electricians such as Chamberalians Auto Electrics can identify what is causing power issues in your car and should it be needed to replace your alternator.
Starter Motors
During colder temperatures, engine oil often runs thicker, which can cause additional resistance when running through your starter motor, causing your vehicle’s starter motor to run harder. During the cold, your starter motor can also have issues as a result of other components in the car failing or not working as intended, such as the battery, which can cause the starter motor to fail when cranking your engine.
If you are experiencing issues with your starter motor and it is occurring regularly, you should see an auto electrician. They can establish if the issue is caused by something like the battery or if the starter motor itself has an issue.
Air-conditioning and Heating
You might notice during the colder weather that your air conditioning is not working as intended. Perhaps you have tried to put the heating on and it is no longer blowing out warm air. This can be a simple fix, such as low coolant levels, or something bigger, like a fault heater core.
Electrical Connections and Lights
During cold and particularly wet weather, electrical components could possibly stop working. The most likely cause of this is water ingress into the car, which can short or corrode wiring throughout your vehicle. This can affect things such as your lights, indicators, radio and other important components of your car.
You might also notice during colder and wetter weather issues with your lights not being bright enough or your high beams not working as intended. A qualified auto electrician will be able to identify and fix electrical connections, components and lighting to get you back on the road in no time.
Contact a Perth Auto Electrician for Help
If your vehicle is experiencing any of the issues mentioned above, contact an auto electrician in Perth today. Chamberlains Auto Electrics can assist both South and North of Perth with qualified auto electricians who can identify and fix your vehicle’s auto electrical issue. Contact us today.
