The electrical system is often overlooked in vehicles but it is an increasingly important part of the truck. After all, electricity is needed to start the vehicle and is used to run the myriad of sensors and associated systems while the truck is driving.

In short, if you have an issue with your electrical system you are going to need a reputable automotive electrician quickly. If you don’t find one your truck may end up off the road. If your truck is displaying any of the following symptoms it is time to speak to your automotive electrician:

Struggling To Start

Your truck has a starter motor that turns the engine, allowing it to start running with minimal effort. However, for this to be possible the battery has to send a large amount of power through the starting system. If the battery is failing or the alternator is bad and doesn’t recharge the battery, your truck won’t have enough power to start.

The most obvious sign that this is happening is the engine simply clicks when you turn the key.

Dimmed Headlights

Your headlights are essential when driving at night. They are powered by an electrical system. This makes them a useful signal for when there is something wrong with the electrical signal. The most common issue is your headlights will be dim or they may flicker, telling you there isn’t enough power to run them or there is a problem with an earth connection.

It can also be caused by corrosion within the electrical system.

Blowing Fuses

Your truck fuses are designed to blow if there is an issue with the electrical system. This is a safety protocol, shutting down power to prevent any circuit from being overloaded or damaged.

Naturally, fuses will blow as they become old. But, if your fuses keep blowing then you have an electrical issue that needs to be addressed. It’s a good idea to see your technician as soon as possible.

Burning Smell

Whenever electrical circuits cross each other and come into direct contact with each other they make a spark and generate heat. This heat will quickly become sufficient to melt the protective wire and potentially cause a fire in your truck.

If you notice a burning smell you should turn your truck off, regardless of whether it is smoking or not. The issue can then be investigated properly and resolved. This means if you are driving, pull over and get the truck towed. A fire in your truck’s electrical system can do a significant amount of damage.

Warning Lights

The final, thing to be aware of when driving your truck is the sensor lights on your dashboard. These can illuminate when there is an actual fault with a sensor or something else. But, they can also illuminate to tell you there is an issue with your electrical system. This is likely to be the case when they go on and off at different times.

The good news is your technician can read the codes, it will give them a good idea of what is going wrong with your electrical system.