The wiring harness of a Volkswagen is very crucial for the proper functioning of the car since most parts require electrical power to function. Apart from it being costly to repair, failure of the wiring harness can be catastrophic, as there have been reported cases of explosion. Let’s dive more into the causes of wiring harness failure in Volkswagen and the warning signs that will tip you off to necessary repairs.

Common Causes of Wiring Harness Failure

The wiring harness is a collection of wires that transport electrical power to different components of your car that needs electrical power. When there is a failure of the wiring harness, there is a total malfunctioning of the whole Volkswagen.

Certain factors can cause the wiring harness to fails, and they include:

• Manufacturing Defect: Your wiring harness failure may be a result of the manufacturer’s defect. At the design stage, if the wiring size doesn’t meet the wattage demand or the wire wasn’t properly laid out, it can consequently result in failure of the wiring harness.
• Rodents: Over the years, rats, mice, and sometimes squirrels can chew through the insulation and destroy the wires in a car. They are usually attracted to the heat of the engine and the insulation of the vehicle. When this happens, the flow of electrical power through your car is disconnected and can stop you from even turning on your car.
• Weather: When the weather condition is excessively hot, it causes cracking of the wiring harness. This doesn’t happen just on one hot day but instead occurs over time. When there is prolonged heat of the engine, it eventually causes the wiring harness to crumble.
• Crimping Process: Defective crimping is also a potential cause of wiring harness failure. As the name suggests, a wire is bonded with another to create a continuous electrical connection. Where an inexperienced technician does the crimping work, a wrong technique might have been employed, or it wasn’t done correctly, which can result in the malfunctioning of the circuit.

Tips to Detect a Wiring Harness Failure

When there is a wiring harness failure in a Volkswagen, it tends to give signals in different ways, which you need to pay attention to. The following signs usually indicate that the wiring harness has failed:

• Dimming of Lights: Since the lights are only powered by electric power, the lights flicker when the wiring harness fails. The brake lights, headlights, and tail lights malfunction and, at times, might refuse to turn on. The issue must be tended to immediately because the functionality of other systems is tied to that of the wiring harness.
• Engine Malfunction: When the wiring harness fails, turning on the engine becomes difficult and only after several attempts. It might worsen with time. The engine may begin to stutter or sometimes lurch forward while driving. When this begins to happen, it is important to get your Volkswagen diagnosed quickly as this can be very dangerous.
• Battery Failure: Although a dead battery points to several issues, a wiring harness failure must be considered. At times, the battery may begin to lose its charge extremely fast. If your Volkswagen battery’s performance is becoming unreliable, one of the things your mechanic will consider is your wiring harness.
• Check Engine Light: While the check engine light turns on for various reasons, a wiring harness failure can trigger a check engine light. So when the engine warning light is on, coupled with some of the signs mentioned above, you might want to have your wiring harness examined to ensure that there is no issue with it.

Woodinville Sports Cars for Your European Auto Repair

Since there are risks involved with a malfunctioning wiring harness, you should immediately contact an experienced Volkswagen technician to help you properly diagnose the issue and rectify it before it becomes catastrophic.

At Woodinville Sports Cars, our certified mechanics have years of experience working with European vehicles, including your Volkswagen. We help drivers throughout the Woodinville area with the high-quality services and repair their European vehicles need. Our mechanics utilize the latest factory-grade tools and equipment.

We are located in Woodinville, WA and also the go-to service center for drivers in Bothell, Kenmore, Kirkland, Mill Creek, Monroe, Redmond, and Snohomish. Please call or visit our shop today to learn more or to schedule your next appointment.