Short Circuit
A short circuit is an unintended low-resistance connection that lets too much current flow.
What is Short Circuit?
A short to ground often blows fuses repeatedly. A short to power can make components run when they should be off. Chafed wires are a common cause. A short in a sensor reference line can make several sensors report faults at once. Wiring diagrams help identify which components share a fuse. Some control units protect outputs electronically and set a code instead of blowing a fuse.
How it works
Current bypasses the intended load and flows through the fault.
Why it matters for your car
Shorts can cause fires; find the cause before replacing fuses again. Isolate circuits one by one to locate them.
Other terms
- Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS)
- Column Gear Shift
- Compression Test
- Cooling Fan
- Cylinder Honing
- GAP Insurance
- Load Securing
- Mid-Engine Layout
- Orange Peel (Paint Texture)
- Overspray
- Power Steering
- Rear Fog Light
- Reduction Gear (Single-speed Gearbox)
- Repair Estimate (Quote)
- Returnless Fuel System
- Steering Wheel Lock
- Stud Extractor (Screw Extractor)
- Torque
- Traffic Sign Recognition
- Tyre Valve