Car Electrical Problems: Common Faults, Causes & Fixes

If your car won’t start, the battery light is on, or it keeps cutting out while driving — chances are you’re dealing with an electrical issue under the bonnet. At SP88, we specialise in mobile diagnostics and electrical repairs across London and Surrey. In this blog post, we break down the most common car electrical problems, how to spot them, and what people around the world search when they face these faults.

1. Battery & Battery Terminals

Common Issues: Battery won’t hold charge, corroded or loose terminals, battery drains overnight.
Symptoms: Car won’t start, clicking noise when turning key, needing frequent jumpstarts.

• car battery not charging
• battery keeps dying
• battery draining while parked
• batterie voiture se decharge (FR)
• autobatterie entlädt sich (DE)

2. Alternator

Common Issues: Alternator not charging battery, voltage regulator failure, broken drive belt.
Symptoms: Battery warning light, dimming lights, engine stalling while driving.

• alternator not working
• battery light on dashboard
• alternateur voiture panne (FR)
• lichtmaschine lädt nicht (DE)
• alternador no carga la batería (ES)

3. Starter Motor & Relay

Common Issues: Faulty solenoid, dead relay, damaged starter gear.
Symptoms: Clicking noise when starting, no crank, engine silent.

• car battery is fine but won’t start
• starter motor problems
• click no start
• demarreur HS (FR)
• anlasser defekt (DE)

4. Ignition Coil / Coil Packs

Common Issues: Failed coil packs, weak spark, misfiring under load.
Symptoms: Engine shaking, poor acceleration, check engine light.

• ignition coil symptoms
• misfiring under acceleration
• car shakes while driving
• zundspule defekt symptome (DE)
• fallo bobina de encendido (ES)

5. Spark Plugs & Leads

Common Issues: Worn plugs, cracked leads, poor gap.
Symptoms: Rough idle, hesitation, increased fuel usage.

• when to change spark plugs
• spark plug failure
• engine rough on cold start
• bougies usees voiture (FR)
• zundkerzen probleme (DE)

6. Sensors (MAF, MAP, Crank, Camshaft, etc.)

Common Issues: Dirty sensors, failed crank or camshaft position sensors, faulty MAP or MAF readings.
Symptoms: Poor throttle response, random stalling, engine won’t start.

• maf sensor failure symptoms
• camshaft position sensor fault
• car stalls while driving
• capteur PMH voiture (FR)
• sensor de cigueñal falla (ES)

7. ECU (Engine Control Unit)

Common Issues: Corrupt software, failed ECU, water ingress.
Symptoms: Intermittent electrical issues, no start, multiple systems failing.

• car ECU problems
• engine control module fault
• probleme calculateur voiture (FR)
• steuergerat defekt (DE)

8. Fuses, Relays & Wiring

Common Issues: Blown fuses, burned relays, corroded wiring or loose earths.
Symptoms: Intermittent faults, single systems not working (fans, fuel pump, indicators).

• car fuse keeps blowing
• relay not clicking
• electrical short in car
• fusible voiture grille (FR)
• corto electrico coche (ES)

Need Help Diagnosing Electrical Problems in London or Surrey?

SP88 offers expert mobile diagnostics, fault tracing, and on-site repairs — from battery testing to ECU faults. Whether you’re dealing with a warning light or your car won’t start at all, we’ll come to you.

📞 Call us: 020 3350 2526
📍 Book online: sp88.co.uk/book-online

SP88 – Electrical Issues Solved at Your Location.