Electrical Systems Light, wiper, and other major electrical systems
Operate the interior and exterior lights Components: fuses wires switches relays Lighting Systems
The light switch feeds current to the circuits Lighting Systems
Headlamp System Components: battery headlamp wiring fuse panel light switch dimmer switch headlamps, taillights, marker lights, and instrument lights
Headlamp Switch Controls current to the headlamp system
Controls several circuits headlights (high and low beams) flash-to-pass (energizes high beams) turn signals cruise control windshield wipers Multifunction Switch
Headlamp Bulbs One or two filaments in a vacuum-sealed glass housing Filament gets white-hot and glows Reflector and lens direct this light forward
Sealed Beam Lamp
Halogen Headlamp Bulb Insert Made of heat-resistant quartz filled with halogen gas to protect the filament About 25% brighter Typical low beam – 45 watts Typical high beam – 65 watts Maximum low beam brightness – 20,000 candle power
Halogen Headlamp Bulb Insert A small bulb fits into a larger plastic housing
Headlamp Dimmer Switch Controls high and low beam function
Automatic Headlamp System Uses a light sensor, amplifier, and relay to control the high and low beams Automatically dims the lights when detecting light from oncoming traffic Switches to high beam when no oncoming light is detected
Operation The light sensor or photo sensor in the grille or on the dash produces current when exposed to light The amplifier uses this current to operate a dimmer relay The relay changes from high to low beam Some turn the headlamps on when it is dark, others turn the headlamps off after a short delay period
Daytime Running Lights (DRL) Headlamps are lit anytime the engine is running This lighting system makes the vehicle more visible
Lighting with DRL
Turn Signal, Emergency, and Brake Light Circuits
Common Bulbs Used in backup and marker lights Used in parking, turning, and brake lights
Turn Signal System Components: fuse turn signal switch flasher unit turn signal bulbs indicator bulbs related wiring
Turn Signal Switch Mounted around the steering shaft
Turn Signal Flasher Automatically opens and closes the turn signal circuit, causing the lamps to flash Contains a temperature-sensitive bimetallic strip and heating element When current flows through the flasher, the bimetallic strip is heated and bends This opens the points, breaking the circuit The strip rapidly cools, closing the circuit
Turn Signal Flasher
Emergency Lights Hazard lights Components: switch flasher turn signal lamps related wiring When the switch is closed, current flows through the emergency flasher, causing all turn signals to flash
Brake Light System Components: fuse brake light switch rear lamps related wiring
Operation Battery power is fed to the brake light switch When the brake pedal is pressed, it closes the switch, and current flows to the brake lights The switch may be located on the master cylinder and closed by hydraulic pressure
Backup Light System Components: fuse gear shift or transmission-mounted switch two backup lamps wiring Illuminates the area behind the car when the transmission is shifted into reverse
Illuminated Entry System Turns on the interior lights when you move the door handle or open the door
Informs the driver of various operating conditions oil pressure engine temperature computer trouble codes air bag system status Instrumentation
Analog Instruments Rotating needles or dials indicate operating conditions
Digital Instruments Lights and electronic displays show operating conditions
Vacuum Fluorescent Displays VFD Small glass tubes filled with neon or argon gas The segments glow when electrically energized Very visible and easy to read
Liquid Crystal Displays LCD Semiconductor panels that pass light when electrically energized The panels block light when not energized Often backlighted with a bulb
Dash Gauges
Dash Gauges Balancing coil gauge two electric coils cause needle deflection the two coil windings magnetically attract the needle the sending unit changes the current flow through the coils changing the magnetic fields and deflecting the needle
Dash Gauges Bimetal gauge two dissimilar metals bonded together cause gauge needle deflection as current flow from the sending unit increases, the bimetal strip heats and deflects more less current flow causes less bending, less needle movement the thermostatic strip moves the needle
Sending Units Control current flow through the gauges Many are simply variable resistors Types: oil pressure fuel level
Speedometers Mechanical speedometer components: drive gears cable mechanical head Electronic speedometer components: vehicle speed sensor electronic control module electronic display
Electronic Speedometer System
Components: switch motor assembly wiper linkage and arms wiper blades washer system Windshield Wipers
Windshield Wiper System Basic parts of a typical system
Windshield Wiper System
Wiper Motor Assembly Plastic gears may be replaceable
Rain-Sensing Wipers Automatically turns the wipers on when water is detected on the windshield A light-emitting diode and a light sensor detect water An electronic control module can turn on the wipers
Rain-Sensing Wipers A. Sensor and ECM B. Windshield clear, wiper off Windshield wet, wiper on A B
Components: fuse horn switch horn wiring When the horn switch is closed, it activates the horn relay The relay carries high current Horns
Horn Contains a coil, points, and a flexible diaphragm Coil and point action makes the plunger slide in and out of the coil, moving the diaphragm
Horn Adjustment A horn may have an adjustment screw to set the current flow