Will more people buying Electric Cars in 2020?

Electric Cars have been presented to the wold as the future of the motoring industry for the last few years.  So why have the sales of electric cars not yet set the world alight.  You would think that with all the worry about how much oil there is left in the world, and concerns with global warming, we would have seen more electric cars by now.

Many people have many reasons why they have not taken off, but one of the big reasons why seems to be the distance you can travel in one before you need to recharge the batteries.  Typically a lot of cars are not seeing much more than 100 miles compared to a lot of new cars being built that can now achieve over 500 miles on just 1 tank.

For anyone traveling a long distance for work, pleasure or any other reason, the fear that the battery could die in the middle of nowhere makes people decide against buying an electric car vs the traditional motor car.  This is despite the fact there are now over 7,000 charging stations across the UK.

Cost has also been a major factor for the decision making process on buying a new car.  The electric powered vehicles on the road today still seem considerably higher in price than your regular motor car from new.  This is because the cost of producing the electric power motors is still quite high so it may be that people will prefer to wait a few years until there is an economic benefit to buying a an electrical vehicle.

To add to some of these reasons, there is also the fact that a lot of the electric cars currently on the market are not built in an aesthetically pleasing design.  The Toyota Prius for example isn’t exactly the most beautiful car in the world.  It only seems to be the likes of BMW, Porsche and the likes that have the desire to build electric cars with designs that we will love.  The problem here again is that you will be buying the badge, and then the cost issue comes in to play again.  Me personally, if I had the money, I would choose a real 911 over a hybrid Porsche all day long if I had the money for this brand of motor!

With all this said and done, don’t give up on the Electric car just yet, According to a BBC report on electric car sales, we bought almost 5 times as many electric powered  cars in just one month last year compared to the previous year!  In fact it would appear that during this time sales of hybrid vehicles have rocketed tenfold!

In short.  It must be said that as time goes by, the future looks like it is heading towards the electric motor.  Google and Apple are already partnering with major manufactures to create driverless motor vehicles.  It’s surely only a matter of time before we see the electrical takeover of the motor industry.

Watch this space everyone

Ford Focus instrument cluster

Ford Focus 2009 with various electrical issues. Using our experience with Ford cars and accurate wiring information it was diagnosed as a fault in the instrument cluster. Normally a replacement cluster may be required but here at Widnes Auto Electrical  we have the equipment and skills to repair these, saving the customer a big expense.

Here is the cluster stripped down and under the microscope ready for repair.

Mercedes A-class Airbag trouble

2013 Mercedes came in with airbag light illuminated,  a quick code read showed a fault with passenger side occupancy sensor. This sensor detects when someone is sat in the passenger seat and also their weight. This sensor is very important because if the weight of the occupant is small it will not activate airbag in a crash situation as it could kill the child.

Many owners with this fault may decide to fit an emulator to kid the car because it’s a cheaper alternative to a correct fix. This is dangerous because it tells the car that someone is sat in the seat and the weight of that person is an adult so the airbag will go off whoever is sat there.

This customer decided to fix correctly which requires the seat to be removed and the upholstery to be stripped.

With the new part fitted and coded in, the fault light extinguished. Job done!

Peugeot new key

A Peugeot into our workshop with faulty remote, which  is all part of the key.

With the correct tools we can extract the pin code from the vehicle that then allows us to program in new key.

A quick efficient job and back to the customer.

Your car’s Electrical System – How to spot a fault


What’s going on with your car’s electrical system – In this article our aim is to highlight what’s happening with your car electrics detailing the major components of your cars electrical system.  We will also highlight some hints and tips along the way.


Let’s start your car’s battery.

Your car battery’s main function is to start the engine and operate the electrical elements in your car.  Things such as your windows, lights, radio, sat nav all need the battery to work.  The battery itself typically consists of six cells of positive and negative lead plates, immersed in electrolytes made up of water and sulfuric acid mixture.  Care should always be taken if you are charging or jump starting your car because a chemical dangerous gases vent through the batter cover vents as a result of the chemical reaction occurring with the lead plates and the electrolyte.

For a safer battery you may want to look at batteries that use a gel instead of an electrolyte.  You can now use maintenance-free batteries so that you minimise concerns for the electrolyte element.  Eventually the batteries will, by their very nature, deteriorate over time so it’s not a complete solution rather an alternative more efficient solution

How to recognise when you are having battery issues

If your car is having problems starting the use can start with a very basic test.  If you know the exact condition of your battery you will be able to identify if it is actually the battery at fault or possibly another electrical component causing the issue.  If could be that you need a new starter motor or a replacement alternator.

All you need to test the battery is a battery, battery charger and a decent DVOM (Digital volt Ohm Meter). Your car handbook will normally tell you what colour to look out for.  Simply look at the DVOM for the colour to tell you if your battery is in good condition, needs charging, or has low fluid and needs replacing.

If you are guessing that the battery needs replacing, then beforehand, it might be an idea to just to take your car to an auto mechanic just to ensure it is the root cause of the electrical fault with your vehicle.  After all the last thing you want is to spend money and time replacing the battery only for you to find out that it was actually a parasitic drain on the system actually causing the battery failure.  It’s not just potentially expensive, it could actually be dangerous too!

It’s good to know that the average life of a battery is typically between 3 and 5 years.  Your local car electrics specialist is usually the best person to help you with this.

 

Let’s talk about your Alternator

The alternators main function is to help run the electrical accessories in your vehicle.  This includes the ignition and the engine controls system.   So how does it work.  In short It produces electricity to maintain battery storage charge.  It is driven by the engine producing an alternating current (AC).  We always recommend that you should check your car’s repair manual or with your local mechanic to obtain the correct information before working on your alternator.

Typically, the alternator will last around 3-4 years.  This is due to the demands placed on all the modern electrical devices (stereos, lights, windows, heated seats etc., you use in your vehicle. What’s always useful to know is that if your alternator is coming close to its end of life, this can put additional stress on the car battery.  By keeping your car servicing up to date, and keeping an eye on your engine management lights, you can often prevent these subsequently related issues.

 


In the table below we have highlighted some typical power usage on a car’s charging system:

Equipment Electrical Draw
Rear Window Defogger 25 amps
High Blower 20 amps
Headlamps (low) 15 amps
Windshield Wipers 6 amps
Ignition 6 amps
Brake Lights 5 amps
Total 77 Amps

When you consider if you charge your phone or laptop whilst in your car or have customised your vehicle this will create additional stresses.

It’s really important to pay attention to your car’s warning light for the alternator.  This will definitely help you catch any problems before they become a major issue.  Most modern cars have alternators that have the electrical current passing through the filament of the warning light is what energizes a circuit in the alternator to start charging.

To check the warning light circuit, turn the ignition switch to the “on” position without cranking or starting the engine; if the light does not come on, remove the plug from the alternator and ground the wire that terminates to the #1, I, L or D+ terminal (depending on manufacturer). If the light comes on, the wiring is okay but the alternator is defective; if the light still does not come on, the wiring to the light circuit and the bulb should be checked. (our mechanics at Widnes auto electrics would always recommend that you consult a trained auto electrician or your local garage if you are unsure about what this all means)

You should always check the fuse that controls the light circuit, too. It’s good to know that different cars use different labels such as “charging”, “regulator”, “meters”, “gauges” or “engine”. In some cars, if the fuse is out, the warning light will come on but may not go off. In others, a burned out fuse may make the warning light work in reverse order; that is, when the key is on, the light is off but as soon as the engine starts and the alternator starts charging, the light will come on.

Checking out these simple circuits first can greatly reduce the time spent trying to find out the cause of your car troubles and could help to prevent the unnecessary replacement of your alternator.

When it comes to charge light indicators, we find that in some cases it is normal for the charge indicator light to come on when nothing is wrong with the alternator.

According to information published by some of the leading car manufacturers, a car may have a low voltage reading or lights that dim when electrical loads are heavy at idle. Furthermore, this condition is normal and no repairs should be attempted unless a fault has been found.

For clarification, as a car idles for extended periods of time during high heat conditions, a number of things happen that contribute to “lowered” alternator output that coincides with physics and the design of the alternator:

  1. As heat within the alternator increases, the electrical resistance in the alternator also increases, which reduces the alternator’s charging capacity.
  2. As temperature rises, the voltage set point of the regulator is lowered to reduce the chance of overcharging or “boiling” the battery.
  3. More modern alternators have a “delay/soft start” built into the regulator circuit. This delays the load being placed upon the engine when starting up from a stop, so that the smaller engines in use today are not loaded down upon acceleration due to charging demands. This can delay the charging by up to 15 seconds.

With the alternator’s capacity for charging reduced by heat and other factors, an alternator may only be able to produce up to 70% of its rated output under these conditions. So an alternator rated for 100 amps may only be able to produce 70 amps when hot at idle when there is 77 or more amps of demand on it.

So the question to consider here is…If it can be considered normal for warning lights to glow while a healthy alternator is running, how do you know if the alternator is in good working order or if there are other problems waiting to happen?

A detailed diagnosis is always the best route to determining whether or not the alternator is at fault, but there are times when diagnosis time is short and you still need a positive identification of the problem. Cases like this require specialist tools which will enable you to isolate the alternator from the car’s wiring harness and lets you see if the alternator is at fault or if there is a wiring problem elsewhere within the car’s wiring harness. These tools will be able to you to see quite accurately if it is indeed the alternator causing you your car electrical problems if there is another mechanical failure at play!

 

Let’s consider faults with your car’s Starter Motor

What is a Starter Motor?  Put simply, the starter motor is simply a DC motor that turns the engine crankshaft through the flywheel, starting the combustion process by creating compression within the cylinders. Voltage to the starter is supplied directly from the battery and is controlled by a relay and/or solenoid operated from the key switch inside your car.  Starters can be of varying types and designs depending on the requirements of your car.  That said whatever the type, they all offer the same basis service, to get your car started

On older vehicles a slow cranking engine can typically be a sign of a bad starter motor.  On most modern cars however, it’s due to low battery voltage, poor electrical connections at the battery or a failed relay or fusible link.  It’s good to know that If you are choosing to buy a new car, most starters will easily outlast a new vehicle warranty if it’s not overused, if good connections are maintained and if it’s not overheated.

You can help reduce the workload of your starter motor (and increase its life) by simply starting your car with electrical components switched off (eg radio, air-con etc., window wipers.). To help you with this a lot of manufactures now have it so that the AC compressor and alternator will not turn on until after the vehicle has been started. (find out more on our dedicated starter motors page

Maintenance Tips For Your Car’s Electrical System

Its highly recommended that you get your car’s electrical system checked and tested at least every two years or whenever whenever you spot a problem with your vehicle. Many problems are often caused by voltage variations and must be one of the first steps in identifying any problem. Because there is a computer on board in almost every car built now, even quite minor voltage changes can alter the controls.

Your car’s electrical system must be load tested to certain standards, which can be simulated by turning on all the accessories and lights for simple voltage drain but that is not an all-inclusive test. Measuring circuit loads with an ammeter, circuit voltage drops with a DVOM, variable circuit load testing, etc. is usually the only way to fully check function. With electrical systems operating at 80%-100% of capacity nowadays (see Power Demand Chart), it is crucial that it be up to standards.

Whilst you may consider yourself capable of doing this testing process yourself, you might find that the test equipment to buy is too expensive when you think about how often you will actually use it during your car’s lifetime.  This is why we would always recommend an auto electrical expect who will have the right tools you’re your car manufacturers system.  This could save you a lot of time and money in the long run

 

Our top 5 helpful tips to help extend the life expectancy of your car’s electrical system.

Tip #1: Always keep your battery and its connections clean to avoid clogged battery cover vents and overtaxing your starter. This will also allow for proper ventilation of dangerous, explosive gases from your battery.

Tip #2: When replacing your battery, always buy one of the same or higher CCA rating (cold cranking amps) as the original battery and make sure it’s the same or compatible “group size” to fit your battery tray and cable connections.

Tip #3: Due to the varying nature of car electrical systems, never jump start your car using another car that is running. Use the other vehicle’s battery power alone to start it because a 14.5 volt running system can seriously damage a 12.6 volt system due to the overvoltage.

Tip #4: Start your car with the major electrical components turned off – A/C, stereo, etc. – to ease the load on your battery and starter and extend their lives.

Tip #5: Have your car’s electrical system completely checked and tested at least every two years or whenever you have it serviced for any type of driveability issue.


Widnes Auto Electrics  – Remember to come back  to check for new maintenance topics.

Note : these repair tips are designed only as a starting point.
Please seek the assistance of a professional mechanic
for all repair problems beyond your capabilities.

2009 Transit Connect non runner

Into our workshop came this connect that after being left for a couple of weeks wouldn’t start. A new battery had already been tried but problem remained. A code read revealed ecu processor internal faults so the ecu was accessed and removed

The ecu was opened to check the pcb

Once apart the fault was obvious

This is unrepairable and a new one expensive. So a 2nd hand unit was sourced and fitted. With the correct equipment this was done quickly.

The Ford immobliser system known as PATS has to be matched in the ecu and instrument cluster. To do this you need to access security in the cluster for which you need a code.

The vehicle gives you an outcode and this equipment gives you the incode response. When entered diagnostic equipment then matches ecu to cluster and vehicle started straight away.

We suspected damage was done due to jump starting and putting the leads on the wrong way. Luckily for the customer no other damage was done.

Volvo V60

Volvo came in for the tow electrics to be wired up. We may not be the cheapest but our work is 2nd to none. Not a butt connector in sight all connections soldered and water proofed. Do it right do it once

Top tips for car safety

There is always a general basic safety procedure to follow if you want to make sure your car problems are kept to a minimum.  Not only will it help you hold the long term value of your vehicle but it will also help you stay safe whilst on any long or short journeys

Here’s some of the things you should do to stay safe on the roads.

Check your tyres

The minimum legal limit on your tyres is 1.5mm.  This is the point at which your tyres become illegal.  That said, it’s really important that you check them sooner.  The last thing you want it is to find you are over this point.  It could prove costly getting your car to the garage since it is illegal to drive at this point.  If there is rain, ice, snow etc. then below 2.0mm could see your tyres losing grip and become dangerous to drive.

The pressure in your tyre is equally as important.  Tyre manufactures typically have different pressure guidelines.  It’s important to check your manual to ensure you keep them to the optimum given.  If your tyre pressure is not right, you could lose grip or worse still have a blowout whilst driving. This is both costly and dangerous. Make sure you always check your tyre pressure and your tread depth.

Window wipers and mirrors – Check they work for you when you get in!

If you share a car with someone else, it’s likely that your mirrors, will have been adjusted.  The last thing you want whilst driving along is to fiddle around trying to adjust them.  This could lead to a crash.  Same with the window wipers.  If you are driving in heavy rain and they are not working, or the blades are broken you may struggle to see where you are going.  The last thing you want is an accident that could have been avoided

Check your car electrics. 

Don’t take the car electrics for granted.  With modern cars becoming more and more controlled by sophisticated on board computers, it’s becoming more important to watch out for electrical faults.  From your windows, to your starter motor, there are now very few parts of your car unaffected by this move towards the electric first approach to driving a car.  If you see any warning lights on, it’s important that you head to your local auto mechanic to ensure there is nothing seriously wrong with your car.  The last thing you want is for you to be stranded in the middle of nowhere because your car will not start.

These are just a few safety tips that we have highlighted. If you are concerned about how to ensure you stay safe on the roads, feel free to give us a call.  The team at Widnes Auto Electrical are always happy to help.

 

Top 10 Road Safety Tips to take away:

  1. Don’t use your mobile phone whilst driving

    Making or receiving a call, even using a ‘hands free’ phone,  is illegal.  The fixed penalty for being caught using a handheld phone in the car is a £200 fine and six points on your licence since 1 March.28 Feb 2017.  Moeverover it can distract your attention from driving and could lead to an accident.

  2. Belt up in the back

    In a collision, an un-belted rear passenger can kill or seriously injure the driver or a front seat passenger.    Make sure everyone is wearing their seatbelt

  3. Don’t drink and drive

    You may get:

    • 3 months’ imprisonment
    • up to £2,500 fine
    • a possible driving ban
    • Any alcohol, even a small amount, can impair your driving so be a safe driver don’t drink and drive.
  4. Slow down

    At 35mph you are twice as likely to kill a pedestrian as at 30mph.   The minimum penalty for speeding is a £100 fine and 3 penalty points added to your licence.  You could be disqualified from driving if you build up 12 or more penalty points within a period of 3 years.

  5. Children

    Children often act impulsively, take extra care outside schools, near buses and ice cream vans when they might be around.  Make sure you guide them safely into and out of your vehicle at all times.

  6. Take a break

    Tiredness is thought to be a major factor in more than 10% of road accidents. Plan to stop often and for long enough to help you feel more alert

  7. Walk safely

    Be aware of the roads around you.  Vehicles may not always see you in built up areas.  Don’t just step out onto the road.  Check and use safe crossings at at all times

  8. Anticipate

    Observe and anticipate other road users and use your mirrors regularly.

  9. Use car seats

    Child and baby seats should be fitted properly and checked every trip.

  10. Keep your distance

    Keep the right distance.  If you don’t know what this is then revisit your highway code and checking your stopping distance.

 

 

 

 

BMW 7Series non runner

This vehicle came to us as a non runner, 3 other technicians had already been out to the vehicle to try and fix the trouble without success.

Reading the vehicle with a diagnostic device showed various communication errors between modules. Knowing BMW cars we knew voltage could be the reason so many modules were having issues. The battery was tested and replaced .

Then with the correct tools we are able to repair the coding errors

With the coding complete the vehicle started and ran perfectly.

Car Electrical Repairs in Widnes with Widnes Auto Electrical Services

 

Here at Widnes Auto Electrical Services we specialise in repairing electrical faults in vehicles of all shapes and sizes. We have many years of experience and are the best at what we do in the Widnes area. If you have an electrical fault of any size, then bring in your vehicle into our garage today and let our specialists have a look at it. We can repair anything from: Starter Motors | Diesel Components | Air Con | Alternators | Ignition Components | Electrical Motors | Wiring Fault Finding/Repairs | Vehicle Radio Decoding | Light Faults | Engine Misfires | Plug in Diagnostics

10 most common car problems:

1. Gearbox

2. Electrical

3. Clutch

4. Turbo

5. Brakes

6. Alternator

7. Cylinder head gasket

8. Air-con condenser

9. EGR valve

10. Window motor/regulator

 

Below are what a few people have said about us when we have repaired their vehicle due to one of the faults listed above:

 

Jack Thompson, Cronton, Widnes: My car had a weird smell coming from it whenever I had the air con on, obviously I didn’t want to cope with the awful smell or the heat with the air con off, so I had a look online and it looked like I needed to get it repaired. I found Widnes Auto’s phone number when surfing the web for a garage in my area. The price they quoted me was great so I brought in my car and left it with them. I picked it up after work and it was brilliant! I didn’t need the window open when on faster roads, I could just have my air con on instead again! Now I don’t have to cope with the annoying noise of wind getting in and the awful smell coming from the air con itself.

Laura Hitchcock, Farnworth, Widnes: My car wouldn’t turn on its headlights for some reason. The indicator on the dash said they were on, but none of them were working. My work shifts are night shifts and due to the roads being dark and headlights being a legal requirement, I couldn’t go to work until it was sorted. I gave Widnes Auto a call after getting their number from a friend. They booked my car in the same day and it was done the same day too!! I can finally get back to work and it’s got my boss off my back, thanks so much guys!

If you are interested in what we can do for you, or you would just like some more information, or even just a free quote, then please don’t hesitate to get into contact with us and a member of our friendly team will be in touch with you shortly.