Have you ever entered your Volkswagen, turned the key, and waited for something to happen only for nothing to happen? Or perhaps your lights go out, or your windows just do not roll down anymore? While these problems can seem unrelated, they often point to a common issue: a wiring harness failure. To the Volkswagen car owners, understanding why the wiring harness fails is quite enlightening and may even save an individual from a pocket-breaker repair bill. Without further ado, let’s explore what a wiring harness does, why it may fail, and what you can do about it.
What Is A Wiring Harness?
Just like how your body has a nervous system, your Volkswagen’s wiring harness is essentially the same thing for your vehicle. It is a group of wires, connectors, and terminals that pass through your car and link different electrical components. Whether it be your headlights or your infotainment system, the wiring harness is the backbone that makes sure everything can communicate and function properly. If the wiring harness is functioning correctly, you may never even pay attention to it or know that it is in your vehicle. But when it starts to fail, it can cause all kinds of electrical problems.
Possible Reasons For Wiring Harness Malfunctions In Your Volkswagen
- Wear and Tear: In the course of time, the wiring harness undergoes stress resulting from normal usage of the vehicle. It is subjected to high temperatures from the engine, vibratory forces from the road surface, and occasionally moisture that will over time cause the deterioration of the wires and their sheathing. However, as this wear continues, cracks, fraying, or brittleness can occur leading to system failure.
- Rodent Damage: Who would ever imagine that rodents can chew on car wiring? Well, it is one of the complaints that auto owners have most often. Some automotive companies have adopted emission free insulation such as soy based material for wires within the automotive system. Although it is very useful for the environment, it can attract rodents who are in search of food. Chewed wires can cause shorting, disconnection, or in the worst-case scenario, fires.
- Corrosion from Moisture: Moisture is a very destructive factor that often goes unnoticed when it comes to electrical systems. Very often water can get into the wiring of your Volkswagen, especially if the car is exposed to any water leaks or if you reside in an area with very high levels of humidity. Eventually, this moisture leads to rust and corrosion and this can lead to damage of electrical components or erratic performance of the system.
- Electrical Overloads: Any wiring modification such as; the installation of additional electrical accessories or overloading the electrical circuit of your car puts extra pressure on the wiring harness. It is noteworthy that at high temperatures and repeated high loads, the wires and their insulation can get burnt, harming the wiring system.
What to Do When Your Wiring Harness Fails
- Inspect the Wiring: Check for physical signs of wear such as burned up, frayed wires, rust, or even damaged insulation. In the case of any of these indicators, it is high time to call a specialist.
- Check for Rodent Activity: If you see signs such as chewed wires or rodent droppings under the hood, then most probably rodent damage is the cause. To prevent incidence like this in the future use a safe repellent or park your vehicle in an area that is free from rodents
- Replace the Wiring Harness: In the worst-case scenario, it may be necessary to change the wiring harness completely. Although this may be expensive, it is usually the most effective way of regaining your car’s reliability and safety.
- Seek Professional Repairs: The wiring harness repair is not something that any auto owner can do on his/her own. Take your VW to a reliable auto service center without delay so the problem can be pinpointed and fixed.
Bring Your VW To Adair and Sons For Wiring Harness Repairs
When it comes to sorting out wiring harness problems in your Volkswagen you need a workshop that is familiar with German automobiles. Adair and Sons, a company based in Round Rock, TX, is the solution for all your needs. We have state-of-the-art equipment that enables us to locate wiring problems with a lot of precision. Whether it is a small repair that needs to be made or a full wiring harness rebuild, we make sure every job is done right. Give us a call now and book an inspection, then leave the rest to our highly trained staff.