Final Project

TEMA: Identifying the most common car electrical problems and suggest what you

ACCU-220
Technical English

Mecánica Automotriz

can do if you have these problems.

OBJECTIVE

Identify and Describe the most common car electrical problems and suggest what
you can do if you have these problems . Use the Simple Present, Modals,
Technical Vocabulary and Should.

WORK APPROACH

The participant, using audiovisual aids (PPT, video, etc.) will be able to identify and
describe the most common electrical problems in the car and suggest what you can
do if you present these problems, using a vocabulary appropriate to the level of
learning required in your career ( The Simple Present Tense, Modals, Technical
Vocabulary, Should).

1
 Trabajo Final del Curso

GRAMMAR
1. Present Simple
 I
 You
 We
 They

2. Modals

 Can
 Could
 May
 Might
 Will
 Would
 Must
 Shall

3. Technical Vocabulary
 Based on my experience in my practices in my workshop the most common
 Problem is due to poor care of the batteries we do not know the
Maintenance which is necessary to know for the correct functioning of the Battery. That
would be my contribution on the related topic

4. Should
 If you want your car battery to have a long life, it is essential to take care of the electrical
system. The first thing to keep in mind is that, when selling or changing the battery, it is
recommended that private vehicles be inspected at least every three months, and public
service vehicles monthly. This is because 97% of battery damage is a consequence of
electrical failures or external failures.
 1. OVERVIEW

Surnames and First

HALLASI QUISPE JOHN JOSEPH ID: 001325358
Names:

Zonal/CFP Address: JULIACA – AREQUIPA

Semester: 4to
Race: AUTOMOTIVE MECHANICS

Course/ Mod. Formative TECHNICAL ENGLISH

Identifying the most common car electrical problems and suggest

Topic of the Work:
what you can do if you have these problems.

Car’s electrical system problems

Modern cars are highly-reliant on electrical systems to function properly. The
alternator, battery, and other electrical and electronic systems control much of
the functionality of the car and if they begin to fail, drivers may experience a
wide variety of issues.
We will see the most common car electrical problems.

Corroded, dirty or loose battery terminals

Overtime, a layer of green-like, dusty substance starts to appear on the terminals.
This is because of chemical reactions as most of battery terminals and the battery
poles are made of lead. This can also happen if the alternator voltage output was too
high in some period of time.
What causes corrosion in a car battery?
The main reasons why a battery can corrode are:

Battery age. Like watch batteries, the lifespan of a car battery can vary substantially. However, if it
has already exceeded four years, it is quite normal to see corrosion. Cleaning it is silly, you have to
change it.

An overload. Regardless of the type of battery we are dealing with, overcharging can cause its internal
chemicals to be expelled out through the ventilation grilles or creating cracks, leading to corrosion.

Chemical reaction with copper tweezers. Copper is used to make the clamps that connect the cables
and the battery. If you are good at chemistry, you will know that copper cannot corrode on its own.
However, the current passing through it produces copper sulfate, which results in corrosion of the
terminals.

Electrolyte leak. One of the reasons that causes corrosion in a battery is the leakage of electrolytes. If
a battery is not well maintained, electrolytes will leak and build up on the posts, causing corrosion.

Excess of water. Having too much water in a battery is another reason that causes corrosion. Since
the terminals are made of metals that can corrode, if there is a lot of water, the excess will come out of
the vents and corrode the terminals.

SOLUCIONES
Corroded, dirty or loose battery terminals

How do you clean corrosion from a car battery?

The truth is that it can be done in a simple way, using household items and some more
specific materials. If we add to that that you have to have a little patience, it is not that it is
necessary to be the most handyman in the world. As already highlighted, corrosion can
cause leaks and, consequently, shorten battery life. That is why we insist that good
maintenance of our car can save us a lot of trouble.

Before tackling the cleaning of a corroded battery, it is worth mentioning some preliminary
precautions. Since skin and clothing can come into contact with corrosive materials (acid),
it is advisable to wear protective glasses, gloves and a gown (or an outfit that you are not
very fond of). Avoid touching metal parts of the vehicle (beyond the battery), including the
frame or nearby parts, to reduce the risk of short circuit. If you see cracks or any leaks,
replace it.

It goes without saying that the car must be turned off before doing anything with the
battery. First, the negative and positive cable ends must be disconnected to clean the
terminal connections properly. To do this, first remove the negative (-) cable by loosening it
with a flat-head screwdriver and lifting it from the terminal. Avoid letting it touch the positive
cable and don't leave anything metallic on it, if you don't want a shock or short circuit,
respectively.
Following the same technique, remove the positive (+) cable. If you're having trouble removing any of
the cables, try twisting them while pulling up at the same time. Once retired, it is time to get to work on
the task that has brought us here. To start cleaning the corrosion, you will need rags, a container with
half a liter of water and two tablespoons of baking soda or cola, and an old toothbrush, although if it has
metal spikes even better.

Dip the brush into the mixture as many times as necessary and scrub the top of the battery to remove
any corrosion buildup. You can even soak the ends of the cables in hot water to dissolve corrosion on
the ends of the cable. Rinse the battery and cables under cold water, making sure to remove all baking
soda/cola and corrosion. Dry the battery and clamps with a clean cloth. Finally, lubricate all exposed
metal with Vaseline or a specific spray.

Finally, reconnect the battery terminals. First, install the positive (+) cable back into position. On some
batteries, you have to completely move or tap the end of the cable down into position, tightening the
clamp nut to make it snug. Then, try adding another quarter turn. Reconnect the negative battery cable
the same way you do the positive cable. The plastic covers are the finishing touch.

What if I have to do emergency cleaning?

There are always times when we don't have time to organize a proper cleaning. In this case, with a pair
of gloves and a wrench/screwdriver of the correct size, loosen each terminal slightly with its wrench. Do
not remove the cables completely. Pour the cola over the battery from the center outward in one
direction. Repeat in the opposite direction and let it act for two minutes. Then, rinse everything with
water and tighten the cables again.

As a last note (really a good one), it should be noted that many of today's cars have an electronics
management module that can cause many of the on-board elements to be deconfigured if we leave the
car without power. In other words, if we remove the battery, systems such as ESP, Start/Stop, energy
recovery during braking, the radio or the alarm, among many others, will not behave exactly as they did
on the first day.

In this case, unfortunately, you will have to go to an authorized workshop to reprogram those elements
that are not well calibrated. And no, it's not a "you should do it if...", it's a "you have to do it, and that's
it." Just like the latest mobile phones or computers, car manufacturers are continually one step ahead of
us, looking for ways in which you can't do anything yourself and have to go to the workshop.