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Electrical systems Inspection and maintenance

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Your vehicle’s electrical system is essential in
keeping your car running properly. In order to
keep your car’s electrical system functioning as it
should, regular maintenance is required. Keep
reading to learn the three parts that make up
your car’s electrical system and how to keep your
car’s electrical system properly maintained.
 1. Car Battery Maintenance
Car battery maintenance includes cleaning
the battery, checking fluid levels, and
testing the battery. You can also use a
battery charger or maintainer to keep the
battery charged.
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Cleaning
• Clean the battery and the area around it to
remove dirt and dust
• Clean corrosion from the battery terminals
Fluid levels
• Check the battery's fluid levels regularly and
top off if needed
• Low fluid levels can cause the battery to
overheat and reduce its lifespan
Testing
• Have your battery tested regularly to identify its
state of charge and overall health
• Most auto repair shops and battery retailers offer
battery testing services
Driving
• Drive your car regularly to keep the battery healthy
• Frequent short trips can drain your battery faster
than longer ones
Charging
• Use a battery charger or maintainer to keep the
battery charged, especially if you don't drive
your car frequently
• A battery maintainer can prevent future battery
problems if you own a classic or rarely used car
 Other tips Keep the battery warm, Keep cables
tied tightly, and Avoid using electronics while
idling or engine is not running.
1. Change your car battery every four years
It's recommended that each car battery is replaced after four
years and to ensure your vehicle runs properly it's important
that you don't forget to do this.

There's nothing worse than losing power mid-journey, so

don't try to extend the life of your car battery for longer than
you should.

Here’s some useful advice on how to replace your car battery.

2. Check the acid level
As part of your car battery maintenance you should check the
acid level of your battery around every six months.

Be on the lookout for acid stratification, which happens when

batteries dwell at a charge below 80 per cent, never receive a
full charge or have shallow discharges.

If you have a stratified car battery, electrolytes will concentrate

at the bottom and leave the top starved.

Your battery is particularly at risk if your car is primarily driven

short distances with power-robbing accessories in use.
3. Add water carefully
If you notice that electrolyte levels are low (the plates
will be exposed), top them up with distilled water.

Be careful when doing this and only fill the cells to

cover the plates. A funnel or sports bottle is often
best for adding water as they allow you to control the
flow.

Once you've topped up the water levels, use a

battery charger to recharge the battery.
4. Conduct a battery load test
For comprehensive car battery maintenance,
every month you'll want to conduct a battery
load test, which can be done by a mechanic.

This car battery service is to ensure that the

device can charge properly, even in freezing
temperatures, to prevent a dead battery.
5. Clean the battery
Dirt and debris can be bad news for your car
battery if it gets into the cells. It can also cause
corrosion on nearby metal, so it's important as
part of your car battery maintenance, to clean
the top of the battery and around the battery
terminals.
Ammonia-based window cleaners are often
recommended but a combination of baking soda
and water will help to get rid of any 'crust' from
your car battery when applied via a wire brush.
Baking soda and water is particularly useful for
cleaning corrosion. However, as a rule of thumb
you want to think of the brush as damp, as
opposed to wet.
You also need to make sure you fully wipe the
battery down so no baking soda residue is left,
as this can cause corrosion.
It's important that when cleaning your car
battery, no fluid is let in through the battery
ports.
6. Keep cables tied
It's important that your cables don't move, so be sure to
keep them tied tightly. This will help to keep everything
properly secure.
7. Don't leave your car for too long
If you leave your car too long without driving it, your
battery will drain down.
It's recommended that you drive your vehicle at least
every three days.
That said, it’s not always possible to drive your car this
often so how do you look after your car battery when
your car is not in use?...
How do I keep my car battery good when
not in use?
If you are not going to be driving your car for a
while, it’s advisable to unplug accessories such
as dash cams, which may cause your battery to
drain. Don’t be misled into thinking that if you
are not using your car, that running your engine
for a few minutes every day will help to keep
your battery charged. In fact, turning your car on
and then off again consumes a lot of electricity
from your battery, and the battery wears down
much faster when it's often discharged and
recharged again.
Instead, to insure your car battery remains
charged you might consider investing in a trickle
charger or battery conditioner. These devices
provide a slow charge to your car battery,
providing a good solution for preserving your
battery if you’re not using your car.
When selecting a battery maintainer or trickle
charger, choose one that has the same voltage
as your car battery.
 Maintaining battery life of an EV when not is use

If you drive an EV, it is important to be aware of

the need to maintain the charge of the 12 volt
battery. EVs rely upon this normal 12-volt
battery to operate systems such as opening the
doors, wipers, lights, dashboard, and crucially
the initial start-up of the vehicle.
Some vehicles will only charge the 12v battery
when it is being driven, while others will stop
charging when the state of charge of the main
battery falls below 20%.
8. Don't over-charge
• If you use a battery charger to charge your car
battery manually, it's important not to over-
charge it as this can lead to damage.

• Check on the battery every half an hour to see

how it's progressing.
9. Keep the battery warm
The cold weather is bad news for your car battery
so it's important to try to keep it warm during
winter.

An engine or battery heater is often advised to

help cars stay up and running in the cold. They
not only make it easier to start the battery but
help to minimize power consumed.
 3.2. Ignition system types and their
maintenance
The main types of ignition systems include:
conventional breaker-point ignition (oldest,
requires frequent maintenance), electronic
ignition (more reliable, less maintenance), and
distributor-less ignition (most modern, minimal
maintenance), with the "coil-on-plug" system
being a key component in the latter two, where
each spark plug has its own dedicated ignition
coil directly mounted on top.
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key maintenance tasks across all systems include
inspecting and replacing spark plugs, checking
ignition coils, and ensuring proper wiring
connections.
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1. Conventional Breaker-Point Ignition:

Components: Distributor with contact points,
ignition coil, condenser
Maintenance: Frequent adjustments and
replacements of contact points, cleaning and
inspecting distributor components
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2. Electronic Ignition:
Components: Ignition coil, ignition module
(electronic control unit), pickup coil
Maintenance: Check for faulty ignition module,
inspect wiring, replace worn ignition coils.
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3. Distributor-less Ignition (DIS):

Components: Multiple ignition coils, directly mounted
on spark plugs, engine control module
Maintenance: Primarily replacing spark plugs and
checking coil connections, less frequent maintenance
due to eliminated distributor
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4. Coil-on-Plug (Direct) Ignition:
Components: Individual ignition coil on each
spark plug, eliminating the need for a
distributor
Maintenance: Considered the most low-
maintenance system, mainly focused on
replacing spark plugs as needed
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Coil-on-Plug (Direct) Ignition
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General Ignition System Maintenance:
• Spark Plug Inspection and Replacement:
Regularly check spark plug condition for wear,
fouling, or damage, and replace according to
manufacturer recommendations.
• Ignition Coil Inspection: Visually check ignition
coils for cracks or damage, and replace if
suspect
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• Wiring Inspection: Check all ignition system
wiring for fraying, damage, or loose
connections
• Ignition Timing Check: Ensure proper ignition
timing is maintained according to vehicle
specifications
• Battery Check: Maintain a healthy battery as it
is crucial for providing power to the ignition
system
3.3. Starting system maintenance and repair
‘’Starting system maintenance and repair" refers to the
process of checking and fixing any issues related to the
components that allow a vehicle to start, including the
battery, battery cables, starter motor, starter solenoid,
ignition switch, and related wiring, ensuring the engine
can reliably turn over and start when the key is turned.
Descriptions of component parts
 Key aspects of starting system maintenance
include:
Battery inspection:
Regularly checking battery voltage, cleaning
corrosion from terminals, and ensuring proper
connections.
Battery cable check:
Inspecting cables for wear, fraying, or loose
connections.
Starter motor assessment:
Listening for unusual noises when starting the
engine, checking for excessive cranking time, and
verifying the starter motor is securely mounted.
Starter solenoid evaluation:
Examining the solenoid for signs of malfunction,
such as clicking sounds without engine turning
over.
Ignition switch inspection:
Checking for any looseness or damage that
might prevent proper ignition circuit activation.
Flywheel inspection:
If the starter motor is removed, examining the
flywheel for wear or damage that could affect
the starter pinion gear engagement.
 Common issues with the starting system:

• Weak battery: A worn-out battery that cannot

provide enough power to crank the engine.
• Corroded battery terminals: Corrosion on the
battery connections can hinder current flow.
• Faulty starter motor: A failing starter motor
may not engage properly or turn the engine
too slowly.
• Defective starter solenoid: A malfunctioning
solenoid can prevent the starter motor from
engaging.
• Damaged ignition switch: A worn or damaged
ignition switch may not send the correct signal
to start the engine.
 When to seek professional repair:

• If your car takes an unusually long time to

start.
• When you hear clicking noises without the
engine turning over.
• If the starter motor makes grinding sounds.
• If the battery light on your dashboard stays on.
 3.4. Charging system maintenance and
repair
Battery charging system maintenance involves
regularly inspecting the battery and its
connections for corrosion, ensuring tight
connections, cleaning terminals, and testing the
battery voltage to identify potential issues before
they become major problems; repairs may
include replacing a failing battery, alternator, or
wiring within the charging system depending on
the diagnosed fault.
 Key aspects of battery charging system
maintenance
:
Visual Inspection:
• Check for any visible damage to the battery
casing, cables, or connections.
• Look for signs of corrosion on battery
terminals and clean them with a wire brush or
baking soda solution.
• Ensure the battery is securely mounted in its
cradle.
Terminal Cleaning:
• Disconnect the battery cables properly.
• Clean the battery terminals with a wire brush
or sandpaper to remove corrosion.
• Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the
cleaned terminals to prevent future
corrosion.
• Tighten the terminal connections securely.
Battery Voltage Testing:
Use a voltmeter to check the battery voltage
when the engine is off and running.
Compare the readings to the manufacturer's
specifications to determine if the battery is
holding a proper charge.
Alternator Check:
• While the engine is running, monitor the
battery voltage to ensure the alternator is
generating adequate power.
• If the voltage drops significantly when
accessories are turned on, it might indicate a
failing alternator.
Charging System Load Test:
Use a specialized battery tester to perform a
load test to assess the battery's ability to deliver
current under load.
 Common Battery Charging System Repairs:

Battery Replacement:
If the battery is old, damaged, or cannot hold a
charge, it needs to be replaced.
Alternator Replacement:
A failing alternator, indicated by low charging
voltage, needs to be replaced.
 Important Considerations
:
Regular Maintenance:
Perform routine battery checks and maintenance
according to the manufacturer's recommendations,
typically every 6 months or once a year.
Short Trips:
Frequent short drives can prevent the battery from fully
charging, so consider taking longer trips occasionally.
Battery Storage:
If storing a vehicle for an extended period, disconnect the
battery and use a battery maintainer to keep it charged.
Wiring Repair:
Damaged or corroded wires within the charging
system may need to be repaired or replaced.
Loose Connections:
Check and tighten any loose connections on the
battery terminals, alternator wires, or within the
charging system.