NATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE.

AUTO ELECTRICAL BASICSBattery Maintenance Services

The battery in your car is the source of energy for all the electrical components that your vehicle has. One of the main functions of the battery is to provide energy to the starter and ignition, but all of the other electrical equipment in your car relies on the battery as well.A vehicle battery has several important functions, such as: Providing power to the starter motor, Ignition system, Fuel system and other electrical devices during engine starting Storing energy Providing power to electronic components as required when the vehicle is off (Example: Digital radios, clocks, door locks, alarms, vehicle computers, etc.)When the engine starts running, the charging system takes over to provide electricity to the various vehicle electrical systems. The battery cable terminals connect the battery to the electrical system.To achieve optimal performance and avoid possible damage to your vehicles electrical system, you need to maintain your battery in good condition.\ The following procedures will help to ensure your battery is maintained in good condition: Checking the alternator belt tension Checking the wear of the alternator belt Checking the electrolyte level Tightening loose hold-down clamps and terminals Removing any visible corrosionBattery DiagnosticsThe service includes testing of vehicle starting and charging system components: Using testing equipment to check cranking amp capacity of the battery Testing the electrical draw of the starter Testing the electrical output of the alternatorBattery ReplacementThe service procedure includes: Visually inspecting the battery Using test equipment to check cranking amp capacity of the battery Connecting an external electrical power source to the system when necessary, to prevent loss of electric memory in digital radios, clocks, door locks, alarms and other systems Removing old battery and replacing with a new one

Battery Terminal CleaningThe service procedure includes: Visually inspecting the battery cable terminals Connecting an external electrical power source to the system when necessary, to prevent loss of electric memory in digital radios, clocks, door locks, alarms and other systems Removing the battery cable terminals from the battery Cleaning the battery posts and cable terminals Reconnecting the battery cable terminal to the battery Coating the battery posts and cable terminals with a protective spray or Petroleum jellyBattery Terminal ReplacementThe service procedure includes: Visual inspection of the battery cable terminals Connecting an external electrical power source to the system when necessary, to prevent loss of electric memory in digital radios, clocks, door locks, alarms and other systems Removing the battery cable terminals from the battery Cleaning the battery posts Replacing the battery terminals Reconnecting the battery cable terminals to the battery Coating the battery posts and cable terminals with a protective sprayLight Bulb Inspection and ReplacementWhy is it important?Your exterior lights and headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, backup lights and marker lights are essential parts of your vehicles safety equipment. They are the main ways that you see the road and are seen by other drivers.What is the service?Checking and testing all of your exterior lights, any malfunctioning bulbs can be replaced.Starter motor or self starter or starter motor: The electricstarter motororstarting motoris the most common type used on gasoline engines and small Diesel engines. The modern starter motor is either a permanent-magnet or aseries-parallel wounddirect currentelectric motorwith a starter solenoid(similar to arelay) mounted on it. When current from thestarting batteryis applied to the solenoid, usually through akey-operated switch, the solenoid engages a lever that pushes out the drivepinionon the starter driveshaft and meshes the pinion with thestarter ring gearon theflywheelof the engine. The solenoid also closes high-current contacts for the starter motor, which begins to turn. Once the engine starts, the key-operated switch is opened; a spring in the solenoid assembly pulls the pinion gear away from the ring gear, and the starter motor stops.

Exploded diagram of a starter motor1. Main Housing (yoke)2. Overrunning clutch3. Armature4. Field coils5. Brushes6. Solenoid

Alternator (automotive)Alternatorsare used in modernautomobilesto charge thebatteryand to power the electrical system when itsengineis running.

The starting system includes the battery, starter motor, solenoid, ignition switch, and in some cases, a starter relay. A typical charging system contains an alternator (generator), drive belt, battery, voltage regulator and the associated wiring. The charging system, like the starting system is a series circuit with the battery wired in parallel. After the engine is started and running, the alternator takes over as the source of power and the battery then becomes part of the load on the charging system.

Basic automobile electrical wiring