Battery
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When your car's engine is
off, the battery provides the required power to the rest of the system,
as well as during start-up (cranking). It also supplements the power
from the charging system during periods of high demand. Composed of a
series of lead plates submerged in a 35% sulfuric acid/65% water
solution, your 12-volt battery houses a chemical reaction that releases
electrons through conductors, producing electricity which is then
channeled into your vehicle's electrical system.
 Charging System
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The
charging system is the life force of your vehicle's electrical system, It consists of three main components: the belt-driven
alternator, various electrical circuits, and a voltage regulator. The
alternator supplies power to the electrical system and recharges the
battery after your car has started. Just like it sounds, the voltage
regulator controls the voltage, keeping it within the operating range of
the electrical system.
Starting System
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This system consumes more
electrical power than any other component in your car. The starting system
consists of three components which work in tandem: the ignition switch,
the starter relay or solenoid, and the starter motor. The ignition
switch controls the starter solenoid, which activates the starter motor.
The starter motor then turns the engine until your car starts.
Here's how it works:
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.
Contact us for battery replacement or
electrical system repairs.
Jump
start
To safely jump start, follow these steps:
1. Take out your jumper cables.
It's a good idea to buy a set of jumper cables and keep them in the
trunk compartment. If you don't have jumper cables, you'll have to
find a Good Samaritan who not only is willing to assist you but has
jumper cables as well.
2. Place both cars in Park or Neutral, with their ignitions
shut off and their emergency brakes on.
3. Connect the cables.
The positive cable has red clips (+) at either end, and the negative
cable has black clips (-). It's important to attach them in the
following proper
order:
 1. First, attach one of the red clips to the positive terminal
of your battery (it has "POS" or "+" on it.
2. Attach the other red clip to the positive terminal of the Good
Samaritan's
car.
3. Attach one of the black clips to the negative terminal on the
Good Samaritan's battery.
4. Attach the last black clip to an unpainted metal surface on your
car that isn't near the carburetor (if your car has one) or battery.
Figure 1 shows how both the positive and negative cables should be
connected.
Figure 1: Make sure to connect jumper cables in the proper order.
5. Try to start your vehicle (Do not have the Good Samaritan's car
running. If your car has electrical issues it could damage their car
as well).
If it won't start, make sure that the cables are properly connected. Then try to
start your car again. If it still won't start, your battery may be
beyond help.
6. Disconnect the cables, thank the Good Samaritan, and resume your
life.
Don't shut off your engine; drive around for a while to recharge
your battery.
NOTE:
Improper Connection of Cables can damage either or both vehicles
charging system.
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