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Automotive Electrical Systems

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Your car or truck is controlled by a complex network of wires, sensors, and computers that work together. If communication is interrupted between any of them, it can have a variety of consequences since almost every component of your vehicle — the alternator, battery, AC, starter, backup camera, engine speed sensors, etc. — is tied to electrical systems. Your vehicle may even stall, not run correctly, or not start at all. Your headlights, wipers, or navigation could fail.

Although today’s vehicle electrical systems are more complicated than older ones, they’re easier to diagnose and repair with the right equipment. At VIP, our Certified Automotive Professionals are happy to check your car or truck’s electrical systems and provide a FREE battery check and starting and charging system check. If you need to purchase a battery, they’ll install it for FREE in most vehicles.

  • FREE battery check
  • FREE starting and charging system check
  • FREE battery installation with battery purchase on most vehicles
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Helpful Hints

Common Vehicle Electrical Systems Problems

Some of the most common electrical problems in cars and trucks are:

  • Dead battery
  • Blown fuse
  • Bad spark plugs or wires
  • Bad alternator

Warning Signs of Car & Truck Electrical Issues

  • Dim headlights
  • Vehicle not starting
  • Smell of melting plastic
  • Vehicle stalling
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The VIP Experience
Different & Better

At VIP we understand what your car means to you. All of our employees, from our customer service representatives to our world-class ASE-certified master technicians believe in getting the job done right.  We walk you through the work to be done before we begin, including live-feed reviews of your vehicle and copies of your multipoint inspection sent straight to your phone.

With over 32,000 positive Yelp and Google reviews you know you can trust us to be reliable, transparent, and sincere

  • Northern New England’s tire and service leader for almost 100 years
  • The area’s largest family-owned automotive service provider and tire dealer — headquartered in Auburn, ME
  • All locations are staffed with TIA and ASE Certified Automotive Professionals
  • Straight-forward labor and installed parts warranties guarantee the quality of our work
  • Most stores throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut and Vermont are open seven days a week

VIP Locations

ME
VIP Tires & Service - Lewiston, ME
485 Sabattus St
Lewiston, ME 04280
(207) 784-5464
0.0 Miles Away
VIP Tires & Service - Lisbon Street, Lewiston, ME
520 Lisbon Street
Lewiston, ME 04240
(207) 784-0131
1.3 Miles Away
VIP Tires & Service - Auburn, ME
128 Center Street
Auburn, ME 04210
(207) 783-8561
1.8 Miles Away
VIP Tires & Service - Topsham, ME
2 Union Park Road
Topsham, ME 04086
(207) 373-1501
15.7 Miles Away

Additional VIP Auto Repair Services

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FAQs

  • Is checking my battery and charging system actually free at VIP?

    Yes, VIP offers free battery checks and free starting and charging system checks at all locations. These checks can help identify potential issues and give you a better understanding of your vehicle’s condition before any repairs are recommended.

  • Why does my car have so many electrical problems compared to older models?

    Your car has more electrical problems than older models because modern vehicles rely on more sensors, computers, and connected systems than ever before. This means more components are communicating through wiring and electronic systems, which can create more potential points of failure. The upside is that advanced diagnostic equipment can help our Certified Automotive Professionals pinpoint issues more accurately and explain what’s happening with your specific vehicle.

  • My headlights are dim and my wipers seem sluggish; is that all one problem?

    If your headlights are dim and your wipers seem sluggish, it could be one electrical issue causing multiple problems rather than separate issues. When multiple systems start acting up at the same time, it’s often a sign of an underlying electrical problem. Our Certified Automotive Professionals can diagnose the source and provide a clear answer

  • I smell somethinglike melting plastic in my car; should I be worried?

    Yes, strange smells in your vehicle can be an early sign that something is wrong. A melting plastic smell could indicate an electrical short, overheating wire, or another issue that needs attention. For your safety and to help prevent a larger problem, it’s important to have unusual smells checked out right away.

  • My car just stalled out of nowhere — could that be electrical?

    If your car is stalling, it could be caused by several issues, including sensors, wiring, or your charging system,not just the engine itself. The only way to know for sure is to have a Certified Automotive Professional run a diagnostic to identify the actual cause.

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All-Season tires are versatile and suitable for warm and cool climates, but not recommended for extreme hot or cold weather conditions because of specific rubber components.

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Like their name suggests, all-weather tires are versatile and can perform well in a variety of weather conditions and can be severe snow-rated.

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With bigger treads than traditional all-season tires, all-terrain tires allow for both on and off-roading capabilities.

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Winter tires are manufactured to perform well in snow, ice, sleet and other cold weather conditions. Winter tires are typically soft, with an intricate grooved tread pattern — made for holding compacted snow and creating traction — and are severe snow-rated.