Electrical Diagnostics
Let's face it: you can have the most meticulously maintained vehicle on the road, but it won't start without the right battery – properly installed and appropriately fitted – for your driving needs. From ignition to door locks, your car battery allows you to get from point "A" to point "B."
The charging system is the life force of your vehicle's electrical system, consisting of three main mechanisms: the alternator, various circuits, and the voltage regulator. The alternator:
- Provides power to the electrical system, and
- Recharges the battery when the car is running.
The circuits act as conduits for electrical power. The voltage regulator controls the voltage passed through the circuits. Remember, all of these components require consistent attention and maintenance. It's not just your battery that needs to be replaced; if any components fail, your power source is reduced to a lifeless, twenty pound paper weight.
It may seem obvious that the starting system turns your vehicle's engine on, but did you know that this process consumes more electrical power than anything else your car does? The starting system consists of three components working one after another. These components include: the ignition switch, the starter relay (or solenoid), and the starter motor. Turning the ignition causes a small amount of current to pass through the starter relay, causing a stronger current to flow through the battery cables and into the starter motor. The starter motor cranks the engine, forcing the piston to create enough suction that draws a fuel and air mixture into the cylinder. The ignition system creates a spark that ignites the mixture and your engine starts.