Electrical Repair FAQs

What are the signs of electrical problems in a car?

Electrical problems can be incredibly frustrating and difficult to diagnose. Some of the initial signs of electrical problems, however, are often dismissed and allowed to grow and progress. This can lead to costly and even dangerous malfunctions.

The most common signs that your truck has electrical issues include having internal electrical symptoms like lights dimming, gauges not working properly, or displaying odd behavior. You may also notice obvious smells of burning plastic or see smoke. Sometimes an entire system will shut off, like climate control or dashboard lights. You may also have issues with failure to crank over or continue running when started. Finally, your dashboard battery light may come on and indicate there is a problem.

How much does it cost to fix an electrical problem in a car?

Electrical repairs can be one of the most costly types of service that a vehicle can require and, depending on what the issue is, you may be able to get the repair completed for just $100 or you may be on the hook for more than $1,000 for more extensive repairs or diagnosis.

One of the most common repairs that people end up paying for is a blown fuse. You can often replace these yourself, but going to a mechanic will automatically cost you about $100. If you need a replacement for a larger electrical component, such as the alternator, you may be looking at a minimum cost of $200 to $250, with some more expensive models costing over $500 to replace.

The starter is another component that frequently needs to be replaced, and that can cost close to $1,000 depending on the model of your vehicle. Electrical problems that can cost even more than that include intermittent problems that require extensive diagnosis and wiring problems that require extensive disassembly and reassembly.

What are the most common car electrical system problems?

The most common electrical problem in a vehicle is a dead battery. Batteries can die for several reasons, including becoming over-discharged, damaged, or simply too old. While a dead battery will often light your dash, it won’t have the power needed to start your vehicle.

The alternator is another very common electrical component to need replacement. Your alternator converts mechanical energy from your rotating engine into electrical energy that is used to run your vehicle and charge your battery. Alternators can be expensive to change if a mechanic is used, but in some cases that is the most convenient option.

The third most common electrical system problem is the starter going bad. The starter is the high-powered electrical motor that spins your engine to start it. Often, the solenoid used to engage the starter sprocket becomes damaged or otherwise will not work, and the starter will need to be replaced. This is another relatively easy repair that most vehicle owners can do.

How much does it cost to rewire a truck?

The biggest factors in what it will cost to have your truck rewired are how much needs to be rewired and how complex the wiring job is. Most vehicles have several wiring harnesses and it’s unlikely that all of them will need to be replaced, but enough damage to one of them and replacement may be the only option.

To rewire your truck, you will likely be looking at anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000, depending on the complexity of the job. Remember that nearly all wiring is hidden, which means your mechanic will need to take your truck apart to a significant degree before even getting to remove the old harness. If the installation of the new harness is challenging, it can increase the price even more.

How long does it take to rewire a truck?

The number of billable hours that a mechanic would need to rewire a truck depends heavily on the wiring job that needs to be done. Rewiring an entire truck, front to back, will probably require at least 15 to 18 hours, and potentially as much as 25 hours. This means that in a best-case scenario, you could have your truck back after two full days in the shop, but there is also the chance that it could take a full work week to wire up your truck.