Today’s automobiles are blessed with fault free reliability already built in. But, this means that one cannot just ignore things forever and still enjoy the reliability. Electrical systems are very sophisticated, but also somewhat delicate too. Some things a weekend do it yourselfer can do will keep things running smooth and trouble free.
 Electrical Car Care |
The first link in the electrical system is the obvious. The battery is at the heart of all things electrical in an auto. Think of this as the storage tank. All power from the cranking system, to the electric windows, to the entertainment system, all draw from the battery. If one raises the hood and spots a green or white powdery substance at the connections, do not be alarmed. This is the battery just doing its job. Too much though, and the connections will loose contact of the power source. After making sure the vehicle is in a well ventilated area, and the proper safety gear is in place, the cables can be removed and the corrosion cleaned off. A wire brush, baking powder solution, or a battery contact cleaner all will take care of this problem. After cleaning and reattaching the cables, top off with a corrosion preventive spray.
Connections at the alternator are another area that can be checked, although not near as much corrosion will be present. Remember to disconnect the positive side of the battery before doing any preventive maintenance. While in this area, take a good look at the serpentine belt. On today’s modern cars, one belt will run all the accessories on the engine. Cracking, fraying or stretching of the belt must all be checked. If a new belt is warranted, it is a good idea to spin all the pulleys on the accessories and listen for unusual noises while the belt is off. A squealing noise is an indication that a bearing is going bad. Replace as necessary, and keep a close eye on the belt tensioned and idler pulley, if so equipped. Another bonus hint – after replacing the serpentine belt, fold it up and keep it in the packaging the new one came in. Throw this in with your trunk tools, and if a belt breaks, you have one to get home on.
Keep a good selection of fuses in your tool kit. But always remember that if a certain fuse keeps blowing, something deeper will have to be looked at to determine why. While getting your vehicles electrical in top running condition, don’t forget to check all exterior and interior lights on the vehicle. Stop, tail, and turn lights are the easiest to miss as not being operable. Keep a schedule as to when to check these items and Mr. Policeman will not have to tell you that a light is out.
Regular maintenance on all the different systems of an auto is the key to a long lasting, well performing vehicle. Look, listen, and pay attention so that when something happens it won’t turn into a major expense or repair job.
