Question: My car had electrical problems, so I took it to the mechanic. I was hoping it was just the battery, but he said that my car would need to be rewired. How much does it cost to rewire a car?
Answer:
The cost of rewiring a car starts at around $1,000, but your final cost could be much higher depending on what you drive and whether any additional parts need to be replaced.
What can affect the cost of rewiring a car?
Because there are so many factors involved in rewiring a car, it can be difficult to give a general estimate of the cost. Here are a few things that may impact your total repair cost:
- The cost of a replacement harness: If your car has an especially intricate electrical system, you’ll probably pay more for the replacement materials to rewire your car.
- How long the job will take: In some vehicles, accessing the wiring harness is fairly easy, so replacing it may only take a few hours. But in other cars, the wiring harness may be especially complex or difficult to reach—and if a number of components have to be removed, for example, a rewiring job could take as much as 20 hours or more.
- The cost of labor where you live: If you live in an area with higher-than-average labor costs, you’ll pay more to have your car rewired. According to the Automotive Management Network, California has the highest average hourly cost of labor at $174 an hour, and Mississippi has the lowest at $110 an hour.
- Whether any additional parts need to be replaced: If any electrical components in your car burned out as a result of a faulty wiring harness, you’ll have to factor that into your repair cost. A new starter can cost as much as $1,000, for example, and a new engine control module (ECM) could be $1,500.
- The age of your vehicle: Older cars tend to have simpler electrical systems—but they’re also more likely to need electrical work in the first place due to normal wear and tear. On the flip side, newer cars are more likely to have a complex electrical system, but may be less likely to need a complete rewiring.
SAFETY TIP: Damaged wiring can easily create sparks, so electrical issues in a car are a significant fire hazard. If your vehicle is having electrical problems, don’t put off a trip to the mechanic—it’s not worth the risk and could lead to dangerous situations.
Expert insurance writer and editor Amy Bobinger specializes in car repair, car maintenance, and car insurance. Amy is passionate about creating content that helps consumers navigate challenges related to car ownership and achieve financial success in areas relating to cars. Amy has over 10 years of writing and editing experience. After several years as a freelance writer, Amy spent four years as an editing fellow at WikiHow, where she co-authored over 600 articles on topics including car maintenance and home ownership. Since joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2022, Amy has edited over 2,500 articles on car insurance, state driving laws, and car repair and maintenance.
Everett Cook is an award-winning journalist and editor with more than 10 years of experience across a variety of industries. In editing for Jerry, Everett’s mission is to help readers have a better understanding of the costs of owning or leasing a car and to better understand their vehicle in terms of insurance and repairs. Prior to joining Jerry, Everett was an editor for Axios. His previous work has been featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Atlantic, Atlantic Re:think, The Boston Globe, USA Today, and others. He’s also been a freelance writer and editor with experience in SEO, audience building, and long-term content roadmaps. Everett is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan.
