What is an Automotive Wiring Harness?
2 Answers
An automotive wiring harness is the main network of a vehicle's electrical circuits. Without wiring harnesses, there would be no automotive circuits. Below is an introduction to automotive wiring harnesses: 1. Introduction: A wiring harness refers to a component formed by crimping contact terminals (connectors), made from punched copper material, with wires and cables, then encased in molded insulators or additional metal housings, and bundled together to create circuit connections. 2. Function: Automotive wiring harnesses can be functionally divided into two types: power lines that carry electricity to drive actuators and signal lines that transmit sensor input commands. 3. Development: As demands for comfort, economy, and safety continue to rise, the variety of electronic products in vehicles is also increasing. Automotive wiring harnesses are becoming more complex, and their failure rates are correspondingly increasing.
The wiring harness, I understand it as a big bundle of wires in the car that ties everything together. It connects electronic components like the engine, lights, and air conditioning to transmit signals and power, essentially serving as the car's neural network. Back when I drove an older car, I ran into an issue where the air conditioning stopped cooling. The mechanic checked it and found a loose wiring harness connector, saying that if this thing ages or breaks, the entire electrical system is done for. It's super critical in daily driving, especially when driving in the rain—you need to make sure the headlights stay on, all thanks to a properly functioning wiring harness. During maintenance, I always ask the mechanic to check the connectors for oxidation. I also try to avoid leaving the car exposed to high temperatures for too long to slow down aging risks, since repairs can be both time-consuming and costly.
