Electrical System Diagnostics
Electrical diagnostics means measuring, not guessing. A scan can show a fault code, but finding a break in a wire or a drain that empties the battery overnight needs a multimeter, an oscilloscope and patience.
From AED 199Written quote after diagnosis, before work startsConvenience fee applicable · shown on your written quote
- 2 hours to a full day
- Pickup and delivery from your door
- Convenience fee applicable · shown on your written quote
- Diagnosis free with repair
Signs you need electrical system diagnostics
- A battery that is flat after two or three days, or goes dead overnight
- Lights that dim at idle, or flicker with the air conditioning on
- Windows, central locking or mirrors that work sometimes and not at other times
- A burning smell, a warm fuse box or a fuse that keeps blowing
- A string of unrelated warning lights after a wet day or a car wash
- The car needs a jump start even though the battery is new
- The horn, wipers or indicators behave strangely together, as if the car had a mind of its own
What usually causes it
Parasitic drain
Something stays awake after the car is locked: a module that won't sleep, an aftermarket alarm or a faulty relay. We measure current with the car asleep and pull fuses one at a time to trace it.
Poor earth connections
A corroded or loose ground strap causes voltage drops that create odd faults in unrelated systems.
Water ingress and corrosion
Moisture in a connector or a junction box corrodes pins, leaving intermittent contact that comes and goes with temperature.
Chafed wiring
Looms rub against metal edges, especially near hinges and where aftermarket kit was routed. The insulation wears and causes a short.
How we do electrical system diagnostics
- 1
Test the battery and charging system
Battery condition, alternator output and starter draw are measured, since they underlie many other faults.
- 2
Scan for network faults
Codes and communication errors show which circuits or modules are affected and give us a starting point.
- 3
Measure drain and voltage drop
Using a meter, we find where current is leaking, or where voltage is being lost in a supply or a ground.
- 4
Trace and repair the wiring
The fault is followed to its source and the wire or connector is repaired properly, with soldered and sealed joints, not twisted wire and tape.
In Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman
Heat shortens battery life here, often to two or three years, and corrosion on terminals near the coast is common. Before assuming a deeper fault, we always test the battery, because many electrical mysteries trace back to it. Cars that have been in floodwater after heavy rain need a thorough check, as damage from contaminated water can show up weeks later. Full repairs are arranged with pickup and delivery to the workshop. Tell us about any recent washing, flooding or accessory fitting.
Questions about electrical system diagnostics
Why does my new battery keep dying?
Usually something is draining it, or the alternator is not charging it. Both can be measured in under an hour.
Is it safe to keep driving with a fuse blowing?
Do not replace a fuse with a larger one. A blowing fuse means a fault that can overheat the wiring. Have it traced.
Can you fix aftermarket wiring?
We can inspect and correct it. Poorly fitted extras are a frequent cause of drain and shorts.
Will diagnosis find an intermittent fault?
Often, with time and a test drive. If the fault does not show, we tell you what to note and monitor.
Can I leave the car for a day for fault finding?
Intermittent faults often need time and a test drive. We arrange pickup and delivery, and tell you at the start how long we expect to need.
What should I check before bringing the car in?
Look at battery terminals for white or green corrosion and note any aftermarket accessories fitted recently. Both save time on the first visit.
Last updated
Get a written quote
Tell us about your car. You get an itemised quote before any work starts, and you choose OEM, aftermarket or used parts.