Addressing Electrical Problems at Your Buick Dealership

Your Buick depends on a constant and consistent flow of electricity to power everything from the spark plugs to the navigation system. In time, worn or damaged components in the electrical system can cause electrical problems that range from minor to major. If this happens, your Buick dealer can quickly and efficiently repair them for you. These are samples of some of the issues we can fix.

Examples of Electrical Problems Your Buick Dealer Can Repair

Worn Alternator

The alternator is the heart of the electrical system, as it is responsible for generating the power other systems depend on. It’s powered by the crankshaft’s movement, and this movement causes the alternator to spin at a high speed and produce electricity. This electricity is then supplied to every system and component that needs it via electrical wiring.

An alternator will wear out after about eight years. When this happens, the alternator will gradually but irreversibly slow down and generate less power. As the electricity supply from the alternator drops, electrical problems will develop. Examples of these issues are random electrical glitches, dim interior lights, and starting problems. At your Buick dealer, we’ll test your alternator and replace it if it’s failing.

Dead Battery

The battery uses chemical reactions to store electricity as chemical energy, but these reactions slowly cause the chemicals to break down. As the chemicals break down, the battery’s electricity storage capacity will drop, and recharging will become more difficult. On average, a battery will work for three to five years before it needs replacement. A battery can also fail sooner due to extreme weather or damage from other electrical problems.

A dead battery is preventable, as your Buick dealer has a computerized battery tester that can give you an almost instant answer on your battery’s health. We’ll connect your battery to the battery tester, which subjects the battery to a series of load tests. These tests will identify any weaknesses in your battery and give an accurate estimate of its remaining useful life. If your battery is failing, we can swiftly replace it before it dies.

Blown Fuses

Every electrical component in your Buick has a fuse connected to it, and these fuses operate identically to the ones in a building’s electrical system. Fuses are designed to absorb any electrical short and blow out. This prevents damage to the system the fuse is attached to but also shuts that system down until the fuse is replaced. If a fuse fails, the battery warning light will illuminate to warn of trouble.

Our technicians can easily replace failed fuses. If you’re frequently experiencing blown fuses, this points to a more serious electrical problem. Damaged wiring could be the cause of frequent fuse failures, or the fuse box itself could be damaged. We’ll trace the flow of electricity through your car to identify the cause of the issue, and then we’ll repair it.

Failed Starter

Starting your engine requires three main parts of the electrical system to work effectively. The battery sends an electrical charge to the starter solenoid. This powers the solenoid, which then powers the starter. The starter causes the engine to crank, and the combustion process begins. The alternator’s job is to replenish the electricity used by the battery so it can start the engine again when necessary.

A failed starter is a more serious issue than a dead battery. Unlike a dead battery, which can be brought to life by a jump start, it’s impossible to bypass the starter. If the starter doesn’t work, it will have to be replaced before your engine will start again. Most starter problems, however, involve minor issues like a failed starter solenoid or loose wiring. We’ll identify the source of the problem and fix it.

Damaged Ignition Coils

The spark plug’s job is to ignite the fuel-air mixture in its cylinder, but it can’t do this job alone. A spark plug produces 12 volts, which isn’t sufficient to ignite the mixture. Each spark plug has an ignition coil connected to it, and a coil produces over 30,000 volts. This boosted electrical charge enters the spark plug, allowing it to easily ignite the contents of its cylinder and this produces the combustion that moves your car.

An ignition coil can wear out like any other component, and it can also fail if its connected spark plug is damaged. A failed ignition coil will prevent the contents of its cylinder from igniting correctly, which produces a misfire. Frequent misfiring can damage the cylinder and the piston and increase fuel usage. We examine the coils and replace any worn or damaged ones.
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Grounding Issues

Electricity needs to flow through a closed circuit to work. The circuit starts from the positive terminal, which supplies the power, and then passes through wires to the component that needs it. The electricity must then return to its source to complete its circuit. A grounding wire connects the component to any unpolished or painted metal close to it. This connection allows the current to flow into the car body and follow the path of least resistance back to its source.

If a grounding connection is rusted or dirty, this will block the return path for the current, and the affected component will stop working. The check battery light will illuminate as a warning that a connection has been lost. As your Buick dealer, we have expert technicians who can swiftly identify and trace grounding issues. Once we identify the source of the grounding failure, we’ll clean or replace the connection to fix this problem.

Electrical problems can be very frustrating for any driver, as they often seem to have no obvious cause. They will also gradually worsen over time and even result in additional issues. If your Buick suddenly develops inexplicable issues, it just needs to be examined and repaired by an expert. Contact our service department today at Auffenberg of Carbondale in Carbondale, IL. Our Buick-trained technicians will have your car working perfectly again in no time.