Scotty Kilmer, mechanic for the last 45 years, shows how to use a simple volt meter to find the source or strange electrical problems in your car. Often bad …
Fixing Strange Auto Electrical Problems
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Hi Scotty, My car is a 1976 Buick Skylark. Yesterday while I was changing
my backup light bulbs, I noticed that both bulbs are 1157 dual filament
bulbs. Why is that?
My headlights work on one side while the other side doesn’t shine, even
after replacing the halogen bulbs brand new , many thanks for your help
Hey Scotty, My 07 Escalade is losing power,Jerking and lights and radio
and locks in the car all be going off by it’s self I have a video of it on
my channel, but what ground would you say that is ?
Usually happens around slow speeds like 15, 20 mph….
neither do I want it happening at fast speeds wither that’s scares the crap
out of me. Thanks
Hi Scotty, I just attempted to install a pioneer headunit in my 2004 Kia
Sorento EX. When I came to test it to see if it works, I started to observe
electrical problems so I installed the factory radio back in the way it was
before and the problems still there. The problem is as follows: radio
doesn’t work at all, dash clock doesn’t work, when ignition is turned to
on the blower moter automatically turns on as well as the speed, tach and
temp gauge readers rise for a few seconds then drops to zero, the drivers
side parking and tail lights don’t work, when headlights are on the dash
lights and tail and parking lights go out when door is opened but
headlights themselves remain lit, and keyless entry and power locks do not
work and that’s all I found so far. Fuses are fine. How can I find this
problem before I take it to a dealer and pay a small fortune? thanks in
advance.
hey scotty, i have a 2003 mazda 6. My brake lights remain on the whole
time, even after the car is off. i replaced the brake light switch but that
didn’t seem to make a difference, what can it be ?
Hey Scotty, I noticed that the engine in my 05 Ford Focus seems to lose
RPMs and vibrate more after I turn on the fan blower. When I turn the fan
off, all is fine. Could that be an alternator problem? It doesn’t seem to
be loose, and drive belt was replaced three years ago.
LOVE your videos!! You saved me a lot of $$$$. Thanks
Hey Scotty, on my toyota corolla 05 the key doesn’t turn on the engine, I
narrowed it down to no power getting to the starter relay, testing it I
only got 1.6v of power on to it when i turned the key. But I cant find the
source of the problem, any ideas?
Hi Scotty, videos help me a lot, my 1997 chevy 1500 2 wd 350 vortec long
bed is an electrical nightmare. Had truck since new, 1st engine had bad
water leak, it cracked block and both heads. New same engine now with 16 k
miles. Electrical problem started by all rear lights going out then come on
anytime with switch on. Put a new brake light system in, not using any part
of truck’s light system. Now brake lights work great (new system) and other
rear lights work great, truck brake lights still do not work. Latest
problem, when driving on cruise and turn lights on, cruise turns off. I
have not found any lose connections but can not check this while running
down road. Any suggestions ??
mr kilmer my car stereo does a buzzing noise on fm what could be the
problem
Scotty what a good meter for the non pro mechanic to have and how much is
the you use
Hi Scotty, you’re the best by the way. 😉
My car’s positive (red) cable is staying warm to the touch. I had a
alternator reading and it showed the alternator was giving off low voltage
I was told that is a sign the alternator was going bad….so I changed it.
The car rides stronger now BUT that red cable is STILL warm. Do you think
this may be a sign of a short in the red cable wire? My started test good
also. I have an X5 BMW. Any ideas would help.
Heya Scotty. After a rainstorm here in south florida I noticed a puddle of
water underneath the steering wheel of my 2005 Jeep. I cleaned the water
out and planned to take it to a body shop to replace the seals. Later that
night I step back out to my car and the headlights of the car were on even
when the light switch was off. The lights on the odometer console flashed
non-stop and my engine began acting weird when I tried turning it on. That
morning I went back to my car and everything seemed fine except the check
engine light came on. You think that was just a short I shouldn’t be
concerned with? I just bought an OBD II to check on the engine and will go
to that body shop soon. What do you think? Thanks again
Hi Scotty.
I went to the repair shop a few weeks back and the mechanic wanted to test
something on my car with a multimeter. But when he got close to my car the
meter started showing numbers without it being hooked to anything. When he
went away from the car it stopped, and started showing stuff again when he
got closer. I’ve been having electrical issues with my car, could this be a
symptom?
Love the jacket!
Mr. Kilmer-CHALLENGE- 1964 all stock Chevy 2 (1st gen nova) 194 straight
six with auto power glide. New starter, new alternator, new voltage
regulator. Battery in trunk with 4 gauge power line to starter and 8 gauge
ground wire directly to starter. I get a click or a low crank start, but
when I use screwdriver to make direct contact on solenoid with power on
starter. I get a perfect crank and starts right away. Even removed key
switch and bridged wires on harness to make direct connection, (thinking
maybe a bad key electrical switch and same clicking or slow crank)–(driving
me nuts!)—Joe from East Los Angeles, Calif.
Hey Scotty, I have a 1990 toyota corolla 4cyl and im having a problem with
my left brake lights… When I hit the brakes I get no lights on.. if I
have my headlights on the same light will be on just dim.. soon as I hit
the brakes. (With my headlights on).. it goes off.. no lights.. now when I
push the light left to right in the socket with the brakes applied.. The
brake light will flicker off and on with the headlights on… is this just
a bad socket?? Its doing it to both brake light sockets on the left side…
Thanks Scotty for any feedback!
Question i have a missed fire on cylinder #3 replace injectors and did some
tests after that i figured the is not getting the grounding signal. What
can i Do? HELP
Thanks for the video Scotty. When I turn on my headlights in my 95 es300 my
transmission goes nuts. Its fine with the lights off. Seems there is a bad
ground somewhere.
i have a 93 caprice i just recently purchased and I notice sometimes as i
would pull off to fast or hit a pothole my radio would go out and all my
lights would dim dash and head light. I recently changed the battery and i
noticed that the ground coming from the negative terminal was broken i
replaced it, is it possible that’s what my problem was because all my spark
plugs were loose as well and i changed all the wires and plugs?
This might sound like stupid question casue it is but If I want to check
the ground wire for the brake light, should i put the red wire from the ohm
meter in the brake bulb socket and black on the ground wire??
hey scotty i found i got a bad power wire going to my tranfer case computer
that runs thought the firewall id rather just run a whole new wire any way
to get the new wire in without removing the harness
wow this is so useful. entertaining, too.
Hey scotty, I’m having some issues with a 2005 silverado, all the lights in
the vehicle are flickering, is there a short or is the alternator going
bad?
Boy, I could’ve used this a few years ago on my pos BMW. Good to know now
though :)
Hi Scotty coud you help me i have toyota 4runner 98 the side front and
back lights do not turn on also the dashboard light. And check all fuses
and all are good it could be that. all other lights work well, brakes,
signal lights. Thank you
Hey Scotty just so happen you are workn in a mitsubishi in this video… I
Have 2001 mitsubishi galant and I was installing a remote starter and a
positive wire hit a piece of metal which blew a fuse and everything
shutdown so I had that fuse replace and my car started right up now right
after that I am having trouble with the brake lights when I cut on my
headlights the tail lights and brake lights work they just stay on but when
I cut my headlights off and step on the brake they dont do nothing I
checked fuses for the lights and brake lights there find do u think I could
shorted out the ground connection from the spark Pleaseee Help I Have to go
threw inspection
hi scotty your videos are great and very helpful. I am jus stomped by an
issue I am having with my 98 chevy cavalier.. First the starter went out so
I changed the starter I kinda got tired of starting it from under the hood
every three starts… then the battery went bad it started smelling like
rottin eggs then the positive on the battery melted. Changed the battery
now it will onlt run 15 min max then shut off smh plz help me what could
the issue be… thanks ur the greastest
Nice vid man. It was great meeting you at the Shell deal last week. Your
videos are 100% you, and I dig that!
Hi Scotty, i have a question.
my truck was running and i turned on the lights and when i did the truck
went dead like it has no power the only thing that works is the light for
the gears. any ideas on what it could be?
Scott thank you for answering my question you are truly one of the good
guys much appreciated
Hi i just got a volkswagen gti 2007 and my passenger headlights aren’t
working. At first i thought it was that the lightbulb died but then i tried
putting it in and the light wont even turn on. I went to the mechanic and
he told me it might be a wiring issue. How would i go about that and what
would i be expecting to pay to fix that up?
Hi scott,my 2000 toyota camry headlight highbeam doesn’t turn on at all
while the low beam acts like its having kind of partial contact turns on
and off just like that,and My car temperature control functions even after
switching them off please what could be causing this kind of problem and
how can I fix it.
hey scotty, my 2002 acura has a head light out. I’ve changed the lamp, $80
head lamp. also the hole lamp themselves have been replaced recently. at
one point both lamps went out, but the other has since come back on. i
brought it to a mechanic and he told me to take it to the dealer and I’m
hesitant to do that. is that a ground problem?
+Scotty Kilmer I HAVE A 2001 FORD TARUS I TRYED 2 INSTALL A AFTERMARKET
RADIO GOT ALL THE WIRES HOOKED UP PLUGED THE BATTERY BACK UP STARTED THE
CAR UP TO PLAY THE RADIO AND I THINK THE WIRES TOUCH METAL NOW MY WIPERS
DONT WORK OR MY WINDOWS MY LOCKS OR MY SPEED DEMOATER WOULD SHOULD I DO
PLEASE HELP
I cant get enough of these vids, I don’t never have some of these problem
yet I still waych all ur vids plez keep them coming. it so bad if the vid
aint by scotty kilmer I don’t watch
Hi Scotty thanks for all the videos help me so much, I have a 1982 olds
cutlass, I want to change the headlight switch, nothing wrong with it just
the while lettering has worn off, and I have a brand new in the box and
want to use it. How do you get it out? do I have to take off the trim, or
do I have to take out the entire dash?
Regards Phill
Hey Scotty, dig your videos. I got a weird one,, 1998 dodge Durango. when I
press the brake I get the left blinker light on the dash and if the left
blinker is on, the brake causes it to stop blinking and go solid. also when
the left blinker is on, it blinks itself, the brake light next to it, the
high mount brake, and the right rear brake light. the left blinker seems to
work fine. What I have done: checked and changed any bulb all around that
was not the exact bulb recommended by the manufacturer. disconnected the
trailer hookups. ran a wire to the + on the battery to my multimeter, then
tested the grounds on all the connections going to the rear lights. I got
the same readings via the bulbs ground or a ground near by. tested with the
engine off and running. so not I am thinking they are connected or shorted
together somewhere. I am thinking maybe I should get an ect2000 and try
what you suggest in your video “Finding The Source Of Electrical Shorts In
Your Car” but I am not blowing fuses. I was wondering if I can at least use
the device to trace back one of the lights that blinks that shouldn’t be.
any thoughts?
Hello Scotty, I have a 2004 Sentra and I must change the fuse everyday if I
want my tail lights, instrument panel lights, and gearshift indicator
lights to come on. If a bad ground wire how do I locate…what do think
the issue is? Please provide a solution. Also, please explain/show in
detail how to fix…I’m a female and new to this whole DIY car thing.
Thank you.
Hey Scotty, I own a 1996 Honda Accord and I had a strange electrical
problem which went away on its own but has now come back. Strangely though
this problem comes together with very poor idling which leads to my car
stalling whenever it comes to a stop. The problem is whenever I turn my car
off the ac lights stay on, I am also able to turn on my ac with the car
being completely off. Every time I shut off the car I have to disconnect
the battery so it doesn’t drain over night. I had my battery, alternator,
and starter checked and all results came back good. Any info on the source
of this problem will be greatly appreciated.
Scotty i have a 2004 chevy impala the highbeems lights stay on i tried
turning them off but the swict wont work and also my headlights dont work
only the highbeems and the low beems
Scotty, here’s one. I have a 2004 corolla which has a burned out brake
light. The running light was still functioning. I replaced the bulb and the
brake light still does not work. Now I have more problems, none of the rear
tail lights on that side of the car work now (running, turn signal, back-up
or brake) Any ideas here?
hi scotty I have a question for you I have a 1997 wrx impreza,i get a
buzzing/arcing sound from the drivers side dash then the car cuts out,turn
the key it restarts and may go for a week with out a fault,so the front
wiring loom and rear loom and ecu were checked and the grounds cleaned and
re fitted,sadly its still doing it,so its going to Subaru in june for no
doubt an expensive job,do you have any ideas?