Roth Regatta

When the automotive industry was in its infancy, it used electricity only to ignite the fuel inside the engine. By the late 1920’s, the electric starter replaced the hand crank, electric headlights made acetylene lamps obsolete and the braying of the electric horn drowned out the squeak of the hand-squeezed air horn. Today, an automobile requires an elaborate electrical system of circuits just to produce, stores, and distribute all the electricity it requires simply for everyday operation.
The

first major component in the electrical system is the battery. The battery is used to store power for starting, and for running auxiliary devices such as clocks, radios and alarms when the engine is off. The next major component is the starter motor, which is used to start the engine. The third component is a charging device powered by the engine, known as the alternator. It powers the electrical system when the car is running, and restores the charge within the battery. With these basic compon

ents, the car maintains its supply of electricity. A device called the voltage regulator keeps the power level stabilized, and the fuse box keeps minor problems from becoming major ones.
Many different auxiliary electrical devices are used in modern cars, such as: radios, cellular phones, rear window defrosters and electric door locks, as well as a vast array of motors powering everything from the moon roof on down.
The above information is directly from the Auto Insight program, which you can

buy online from AutoEducation.com.
Common Problems:

• The battery is usually the first part of the system to wear out. Most batteries last between 3 and 7 years depending on brand and design. Batteries can be fine on minute, and dead the next. More on this later.
• Blown fuse: Is one part of the electrical system not working like the interior lights or dash lights? The first thing to check is the fuse. Look for the fuse panel under the dash, in the glove box, or even in the engine compartment in some cars. Circuit will label most fuse boxes. Modern cars use a blade type fuse, which is rectangular in shape and transparent. Look for the wire, which runs through the fuse, and see if it is burned through. Any discoloring of the fuse is a good sign the fuse has blown. If you have doubts, replace with a new fuse and test the system, which is not working.
• Alternator: Does your car start ok, but your headlights dim when idling. It could be a bad alternator. When the alternator cannot produce enough electricity to keep the electrical systems running and the battery will have to be used to take up the slack. This will eventually wear down the battery and not allow your car to start.
Troubleshooting:
I don’t think there is a tougher system to troubleshoot on your car than the charging/starting system. This is due to the fact that there are many things that can go wrong and it’s tough to test some components without special equipment. Let’s go over some possible situations and their possible causes.
• Car won’t start, all I hear is a click but the engine does not turn.
o First check all battery cables for corrosion as this will keep power from flowing freely to the starting system. If they are dirty, clean with a wire brush and reattach. Apply a light coat of grease to the top of the terminals to prevent further corrosion.
o Battery could not have enough power stored in it to spin the engine. A bad cell in the battery or from a bad alternator not charging the battery when the engine is running can cause this. If you can get the car to a mechanic, have him or her test the battery and charging system with a special tester. This tester places a load on the battery and can tell the condition. They can also check to see if the alternator is working to it’s full potential.
o Starter or solenoid could be bad. If you can not jump start the car and all of the battery cables are ok then suspect the starter.
• Car won’t start, I hear nothing.
o Check battery cables as above.
o Have the battery tested. There could be a bad cell causing a short. You can try jump-starting but often the car will not stay running.
• Car won’t start all I hear is a horrible grinding noise.
o Grinding noises point to the starter not properly meshing with the flywheel. A bad solenoid or a bad spot on the flywheel can cause this.
o I have also seen starters loosen up so they no longer contact the flywheel at the proper distance. While not common, it is som