No or Go? All you need to know about DIY car electrical projects

Have you ever tried to do some modifications to your car? An electrical project in particular? The modifications you make don’t need to be big, time-consuming and expensive. It is nice to do big modifications but the small one can make your car enjoyable.

Small electrical projects are one of the little modifications you can make into your car. They are within the capabilities of any driver doing DIY maintenance of a car.

Have you ever tried to do some modifications to your car? An electrical project in particular?

But many people refuse to do anything in their car when it comes to electricity. You can start with the easiest electrical projects.

As time passes by, your experience and confidence will be built up. So, Philkotse.com prepared some DIY electrical projects you need to know about.

1. Changing spark plugs

This is not a modification but still an electrical project to your car. Changing the spark plugs of a car is a part of routine maintenance. Check the manual for the schedule of this maintenance.

It is very important to have clean and fresh spark plugs. It contributes to the performance of your car and fuel economy. It also helps in reducing emissions.

Changing the spark plugs of a car is a part of routine maintenance

>>> You might need: Diagnose the signs of a bad car spark plugs

2. Cleaning of battery terminals

One of the common reasons behind car starting failure is loose and corroded battery terminals. It blocks the current flow resulting in starting failure.

This event is normal and will occur over a period of time. Knowing this, you can prevent it from happening by checking and cleaning your battery cable terminals. 

Always wear proper PPE when doing maintenance with your car battery. Wear safety goggles as batteries produce explosive gases like hydrogen.

Clean the battery terminals using a dedicated brush

These gases can be burst into flames even by a tiny spark only. A tiny spark can be produced by a simple ground from a wrench or any metal tools you are using. For that reason, make sure to remove the ground terminal then install it last.

In removing the battery of your car, don’t insist on holding the heavy cube using your fingertips only. Purchase a cheap but good battery lifter and use it.

It is a strap made of rubber with metal teeth. You can obtain one from any parts store. After all, it is advisable to have many tools for your car. It will all come in handy sometime.

>>> You might concern: 

• 6 steps to safely replace your car battery
• The Best Method on How to Clean Car Battery Terminals

3. Replacing bad light bulbs

Light bulbs on your car also burn out just like the light bulbs in your house. A usual vehicle has many light bulbs, though it is not obvious or visible.

You can see the external light bulbs but there are many more on the interior side of the car. Some are within the dashboard, and some vehicles even have light bulbs in the glove box.

There are also light bulbs in the doors, trunk, and engine compartment. It is indeed amazing that the light bulbs on your car last long even though we use them as much as we can.

There are also many external factors that can affect the light bulbs. They are exposed to moisture and humidity from the surrounding.

Check all the light bulbs in your car

>>> A small reminder: Why You Need To Replace Headlight Bulbs In Pairs

Check all the light bulbs in your car. Ask for help if needed and to make the work faster and easier. Always apply dielectric grease to the contacts and metal base of your exterior light bulb.

Apply it in a thin film. This dielectric grease will assist in slowing down the development of corrosion.

You can see the corrosion when you remove the old light bulbs. It is the green and white stuff that you can see developing on old light bulbs. The special grease could have stopped the formation of corrosion.

Buy it at the store and keep it. It is packed in like a form of a toothpaste tube. It is also not expensive so it’s economical.

4. Installation of loud horns

Some drivers will not even think of adding loud horns in their cars. It is not that in style anyway so you can just stick with the built-in one. But, for those who are interested in putting extra horns in their car, this is for you. 

Have you ever experienced being swerved by another driver on the road? Or any similar events that are very irritating? 

If yes, I think you wish you had a loud horn-like an eighteen-wheeler truck would have.  Nobody can ignore the sound from those loud horns.

The sound of your horn will be affected if it gets filled up by water

>>> But what if car horn is broken: 6 easy to follow tips for fixing a broken car horn

The blast of horns depends on its decibel output. The horns will be louder if the decibel rating is higher. You can check the decibel rating of a horn labeled outside its box.

It will come in large numbers followed by some exclamation points to intensify the loudness of a horn.

Horns are flexible, you can attach it anywhere outside your car. After deciding where to put it, use a standard switch button and a relay to supply power on it.

When bolting your horns, face it down to prevent the accumulation of water and moisture from surroundings. The sound of your horn will be affected if it gets filled up by water. The sound will be similar to a duck call.

5. Installation of fog lights

I'm sure you already experienced driving in fog. This is very common during the early morning. Have you noticed that the lights from your high beams will be reflected back if directed into a heavy fog? To overcome this, here is what you called the fog lights.

They are amber in color thus the reflection will not shine back at you. It also points downward and cast a wide beam light. In this way, you can see clear in fog. Do not drive very fast in the fog so that you don’t need the use of high beams.

>>> Tips for you: 9 steps to choose and install fog lights

Factory-installed fog lights are designed to switch off as soon as the high beam lights are turned on

Factory-installed fog lights are designed to switch off as soon as the high beam lights are turned on. They assume you are already outside the fog area.

Fog lights are very easy to mount just like the horns. You can power it up with the use of a relay. Buy some of these relays in any hardware store. Don’t worry they are only cheap.