Wiring diagrams (5. Intermittent failure): General information

5. Intermittent failure

The term "Intermittent Failure" is used when a system may have had a failure but checks out OK through all your tests. You may need to road test the vehicle to reproduce the failure, or if the problem was a loose connection you may have unknowingly solved it while doing tests.

6. Open or short circuits

An "Open" is a break in a wire or at a connection. A "Short" is an accidental connection of a wire to earth, or a positive feed. In simple electronics; this means something won’t work at all. In complex electronics; like Electronic Control Units (ECU’s) this means something works but not the way it is supposed to.

7. Confirm and verify repairs

Always confirm that your diagnosis and repair is complete by verifying the complaint and symptom. Then road test the vehicle when repairs are completed.

Repair techniques

Preparing the wire

Disconnect the battery. Begin by cutting as little off the length of wire as possible. You may need the extra length of wire later if you decide to change the location of your repair. You may have to adjust the repair location to make certain that your repair is at least 40 mm away from other repairs, connectors or splices.

NOTE: Strip 7 mm of insulation from the wire.

Check the stripped ends of the wire for nicks and cuts in the strands. If the wire is damaged, repeat the procedure on a new section of wire. The two stripped wire ends should be equal in length.

When replacing a section of wire, use a wire that is the same gauge as the original or larger. If you are not sure of the wire gauge use a pair of wire strippers as a gauge by starting with the largest opening and working downwards until you get a completely clean strip of insulation.