How do you fix an automotive short circuit?

Answer 1

Depends on what you did and what the car is or is not doing. Not doing anything, you either burned out one or more of the heavy fuses under the hood or burned through what is called a fuse-able link. That is a heavy section of wire either by the battery or the fuse box under the hood. They burn through if the short continues after the fuse blows or if it is on a circuit that is not fused. None of this is tragic or hard to fix, it just takes a little time. There are probably 3 or 4 of the fuse-able links in a group. Different colored wires about 6 inches long that probably have a tag in the middle that says fuse-able link. Most fuse blocks under the hood are on the drivers side inner fender.

Answer 2

To fix an automotive short circuit, first locate the short by checking the wiring for any signs of damage or incorrect connections. Once identified, repair or replace the damaged section of the wiring. It is important to ensure the repair is done properly to prevent future short circuits.

Answer 3

A short circuit would result with a blown fuse. Examine the fuse panel and determine which fuse is blown. Most fuse panels will have the fuses labeled to determine which fuse does what. Example, you find a blown fuse and it is marked T L (tail lights). Now you know the short circuit is in the tail light circuit. You would begin by examining the tail lights, checking the bulbs, bulb sockets, plate light and socket, inline plug connections, trailer plug connections if applicable, follow and examining the wiring harness from the rear to the front, looking for damaged/pinched wires all the way to the headlight switch and finally examine the headlight switch and plug for damage. Any circuit could be checked in the same manner.

Answer 4

A: Begin by removing one item at the time until success. Do not reconnect the good items until the short is removed

Answer 5

Touch any live wire to ground and you will have a short circuit.