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Can intermittent car electrical problems clear up on their own?
I recently purchased a used vehicle, and I’ve been having some issues that are hard to pinpoint. Whenever I start my car, about every 10th time I turn the key, my infotainment system won’t turn on. I can still drive my vehicle when this happens, but it’s still annoying. Can intermittent electrical problems clear up on their own?
Jason Crosby · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Unlike most other repairs, intermittent electrical problems can clear up on their own, but usually they are a sign of a larger issue, such as wires becoming frayed. Your
infotainment display
glitch may not clear on its own, though, which can be frustrating when it seems like the issue has resolved itself only to happen yet again. While electrical parts and fuses that are malfunctioning or broken are easily identifiable, intermittent issues are almost ghostly, and may not present themselves when you take your vehicle to the mechanic. Modern cars have a ton of
surplus features
that can’t always be fixed by owners. Instead of just hoping for the best, you can troubleshoot the issue yourself, which could give you two options going forward. The first is that it would allow you to give a mechanic or dealership technician more insight into the issues at hand. The second would be that you’ll be able to fix the error yourself.
Most vehicle manufacturers have technical service bulletins (TSB) that provide a wealth of knowledge into the most common or recent issues or
recalls
on a particular vehicle. You should be able to easily find relevant TSBs online with a quick search. And if your vehicle doesn’t have a manual handy, you can similarly search online for the owner’s manual, which may have a troubleshooting guide. The final, and less appealing option, is to simply wait until the issue becomes a regular issue. This might sound counter-productive, but intermittent electrical problems can be elusive when it’s time for a technician or a mechanic to take a look. Unless the error is affecting your roadway safety, the basic functionality of the vehicle, or your ability to drive it, you could save yourself hundreds in repair shop costs by waiting until the issue begins to manifest consistently.
Unlike intermittent electrical errors in your car, paying too much for car insurance is something you shouldn’t wait to address. Make saving quick and easy by signing up with
Jerry
. If you’re looking for a new insurance company, Jerry can provide you with competitive quotes in under a minute. Swapping is just as effortless. Jerry takes care of all the paperwork and phone calls and can even assist you in canceling your old policy!
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- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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