At Ekart Automotive in Manhattan, we know that few problems are simultaneously as simple and confusing as a bad ground connection on your car, truck, or SUV. Here’s a look at some symptoms of a bad ground, and what you can do to correct it.

Ground connections are simple to understand; they are a connection from all vehicle electronics to the negative terminal of the battery, via a connection to the engine, chassis, or the battery itself. There is a cable that connects the negative battery terminal straight to the chassis of the vehicle, and other ground straps that connect the chassis to the engine or any other isolated grounding point. In short, a ground is a wire which supplies a path for battery current to flow.

If a ground becomes dirty, broken, or corroded, any number of issues could arise. The car may not start at all or may experience problems intermittently if the ground connection isn’t completely broken. Sensors, engine components, dash lights, solenoids, and other electronics may act erratically, even prompting warning lights and fault codes, or causing your vehicle to perform poorly. While it may seem like a huge problem when it’s happening to you, it typically isn’t a difficult fix. You might try inspecting and cleaning ground connections at the battery, the chassis, the engine, and any others you might see, which will likely take care of your issue. If not, some professional investigation may be in order.

If you’re experiencing ground issues with your vehicle, and for any and all of your other maintenance and repair needs, we’ve got you covered. Our team of expert mechanics is well qualified to service any issue with any vehicle. For the best auto service shop in Manhattan, call or stop by Ekart Automotive today.