charging and starting Diagnostics
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charging and starting diagnostics
We do not service Tesla or electric vehicles. If you have any questions please contact us.
DIAGNOSTIC TESTING IS A QUICK AND EASY WAY TO DIAGNOSE ISSUES WHEN YOUR CAR WON'T START.
Are you experiencing a starting issue that other mechanics have tried to repair with no luck?
Are you hearing a clicking, grinding, or no sound at all when trying to start your car, SUV or Truck?
Make an appointment with Auto Tech To Go and we will come to you to diagnose the problem and possibly perform the repair right on the spot.
Let Auto Tech To Go diagnose your car or truck.
If you have a car or truck that has difficulty starting then it’s time to get it checked out. No matter how severe the issue may seem, we can resolve the problem in a timely manner.
Get your Vehicle Back on the Road Safely
Auto Tech To Go in central New Jersey will properly diagnose the source of the issue with your car or truck. Let our experience and technical expertise figure out the issue. If you suspect a problem with your car’s starter, alternator, or battery, be sure to schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible.
What kind of starting issues might I encounter?
Most of the time a faulty car battery is the cause, this is usually accompanied by a clicking noise. Battery cables and connections are also common faults that can cause resistance preventing current from reaching the starter motor. If you suspect a faulty cable or connection, then a voltage drop test with a DMM can pinpoint the fault.
Most newer vehicles use an immobilizer system for anti-theft. This system will use a transponder located inside the ignition key or fob. The ignition key type will use a receiver and antenna located behind the ignition cylinder. The fob type will contain a battery and a series of inside car antennas that will transmit signals to look for a programmed fob. If the fob battery dies or the fob fails to receive the signal, then the ECU will not allow the vehicle to start.
Aside from the few possibilities listed already, many more can cause your vehicle to not start. Knowing the starting system design is the key to an effective diagnosis.
What kind of charging system issues might I encounter?
The first noticeable problem may be the battery light on while the engine is running. The battery light is an indication that the charging system voltage has decreased below an acceptable level.
During this period, the car’s electrical system will be consuming the battery’s energy alone causing an inevitable shutdown. This shutdown does not only put you at risk while driving but can happen within twenty minutes depending on the charge of the battery.
Other problems may include flickering headlights and whining noise from the alternator. Flickering headlights are usually caused by faulty diodes inside the alternator that can allow too much AC voltage to enter the car’s DC system. Excessive AC voltage can damage control modules and cause erratic behavior with any variable reluctance sensor.
Most car charging systems will only carry about 50 mV of AC voltage. Some car manufacturers may have much more than 50mV and determining if the alternator is faulty may require a ripple test. The ripple test is performed by using an oscilloscope to monitor the diode function.