Information sheet 2.

1-1
Parts of Light Vehicle and Its Function
Objectives: After reading this information sheet, the trainee should be able to:
1. Give the parts of the vehicle and its function.
2. Explain the operation of the speed-control system, and other electrical
and electronic devices.
3. Describe analog and electronic instrument panels, and the operation of
the speedometer and odometer.

I. Vehicle Lightning
A. Lights—the driver uses electric lightning to provide the
illumination or light needed to safely operate the vehicle. The
various lights provide vision and information to the driver,
convenience for passengers, and signals and warnings to other
drivers and pedestrians.

The outside or exterior lights on an automotive include:

1. Two or four headlamps which illuminate the area ahead of the
vehicle.
2. Taillights to show red at the rear of the vehicle.
3. Parking light to mark the front of a parked vehicle, and to mark
the front of the vehicle if a headlamp fails.
4. License light too illuminate the license plate on the rear of the
vehicle.
5. Side-marker lights on the front and rear sides of the vehicle to
indicate its overall length.
6. Turn-signal lights which indicate an intended change in
direction by flashing lights on the side toward which the turn
will be made.
7. Backup lights to illuminate in back of the car when the
transmission is shifted into reverse.
8. Emergency flasher or hazard-warning lights that warn an
approaching driver of the presence of a vehicular hazard by
flashing all turn-signal lights together.

The inside of thee car has a variety of interior lights. These

include:
1. Instrument-panel lights
2. Warning and indicator lights
3. Courtesy and dome lights—turn on when a door opens.
Courtesy and dome lights are all powered from the fuse panel.
They will operate regardless of the position of thee ignition key
or headlamp switch.

B. Light Bulbs

Lightning is provided by various sizes and types of light

bulbs. When an electric current flows through a fine wire or
filament in the bulb, the filament gets hot and emits visible light.
The bulb may fit into a socket which forms part of a lamp. The
bulb may fit into a socket which forms part of a lamp.
Some bulbs have two filaments. This allows a single bulb to
provide light in two circuits for different purposes. The various
bulbs and lighting circuits usually receive power from the fuse
panel, ignition switch, or headlamp switch.

C. Headlamps

It is the most important lamps for the driver. When switch

on, they provide light ahead of the vehicle. The tungsten filament
turns white-hot when connected to the battery and gives out light.
The light is reflected forward by the curved reflector. Then the light
passes through the lens which arranges it in a pattern to light the
road ahead. The sealed beam headlamp is replaced as a unit.

Many vehicles have halogen headlamps. These emit a whiter

and brighter light than other sealed-beam lights. The halogen
headlamp has a smaller inner bulb filled with halogen gas which
protects the tungsten filament. The outer case is airtight or
hermetically sealed. The halogen headlamp is replaced as a unit.

The most widely used headlamps are made in four sizes, two
round and two rectangular The round sizes are 5.75 (146 mm) and
7 inches (178 mm). The rectangular sizes are 6.5 by 4 inches (165
by 100 mm) and 7.9 by 5.6 inches (200 by 142mm). All have the
number the number 1 or 2 molded into the top of the lens. Type 1
has one high-beam filament. Type 2 has two filaments, one for
high beam and other for low beam. The letter H or the word
HALOGEN appears on the lens of a halogen headlamp.

Some cars use smaller rectangular headlamps or

aerodynamically-styled composite headlamps .These are made of
plastic instead of glass and have a replaceable halogen bulb.
The driver selects the beam needed by operating the beam
selector or dimmer switch. It is either on the floor or on the steering
column. Beam selection is made automatically by the automatic
headlamp dimmer system. A defective dimmer switch, or a
corroded or loose dimmer-switch connection, affects both low-
beam and both high-beam filaments. The low beams or high beams
may operate normally. However, the other set of filaments may be
dim or fail to operate.
A vehicle with four headlamps has two type 1 and two type 2
headlamps. For low- beam driving, one filament in each type 2
headlamp comes on. On high beam, the other filament in the type
2 headlamps comes on along with thee single filament in the type 1
headlamps.
D. Headlamp Switch
The Headlamp Switch controls the operation of the
headlamps and other exterior and interior lights. It connects
directly to the battery and mounts on the instrument panel to left
of the steering wheel. The headlamp switch usually combines a
circuit breaker with a three- position pull switch. It also includes a
rotary switch that operates a variable resistor or rheostat.
The three positions of the pull switch are OFF, PARK, and
HEADLAMPS. Pulling the knob to the first detent or PARK position
turns on the parking lights, side-marker lights, and instrumental
panel lights. Pulling the knob to the second detent turns on the
headlamps. Clockwise rotation of the knob varies the instrument-
panel lighting from full bright to dim Rotating the knob fully
counterclockwise turns on the dome light and courtesy lights.
Instead of the pull-type headlamp switch, some cars have three-
position rocker switch and a rotating thumbwheel on the
instrument panel.

E. Automatic Headlamp Controls

The automatic headlamp dimmer automatically switches the
headlamps from high to low beam. This occurs when a light sensor
senses the headlamps of an approaching vehicle or the tail-lamps
of a vehicle overtaken. The light sensor triggers a relay that
switches beams. When the other car has passed, the system
automatically returns the headlamps to high beam. A sensitivity
control can be set by the driver. This adjusts the light sensor to the
surrounding light.
An automatic on-off headlamp control turns the headlamps on
when it gets dark enough to require light for driving. A light sensor
signals the control module when headlamps are needed. The
control then switches the headlamps on. This system also includes
an adjustable time-delay turn-off. The headlamps will stay on for a
short time after the ignition key is turned off. This is a convenience
when exiting the car at night.

F. Turn-Signal Lights

The turn signals permit the driver to signal an intention to

turn right or left. The system includes:
1. A lamp at each front and rear corner of the vehicle.
2. A lever-operated turn-signal switch in the steering
column.
3. A flasher which is an automatic-reset circuit breaker.
4. Left- and right- turn indicator lights in the instrument
panel.

The turn-signal lever is moved up for right turn and down for
a left turn. The turn-signal switch then completes the circuits to
the proper lamps current flows from the battery through the
flasher to the lamps. In the flasher, the current passes through a
thermostatic blade. The resulting heat causes the thermostatic
blade to bend, opening thee flasher contacts. The blade quickly
cools and contacts close. This produces a pulsating voltage that
causes the turn-signal lights to flash.
After completing the turn, the turn movement the steering
wheel automatically cancels the turn signal. The lever moves back
to its neutral position, opening the circuit.
A bulb failure or poor ground may cause the turn signals to
work in one direction but not the other. If no flashing occurs in
either direction, check for a blown fuse or defective flasher.
G. Fiber-optic Lighting
Some cars have as many as 80 light bulbs. Each bulb can
burn out and fail. Some components, such as instrument
panels, have many bulbs close together. However, there is little
room behind the instrument panel for the bulbs, their sockets,
 and thee connecting wiring. One solution is the use of printed
circuits. Another is the use of fiber-optic cables.
Fiber-optic cables are made of one or more transparent glass
or plastic fibers bundled together parallel to one another. Each
cable formed by the fiber or bundle can conduct light, even
around bends and corners. As light starts down thee fiber, the
light keeps reflecting off the internal surfaces of the fiber with
little loss. When the light comes out the other end, it is almost
as strong as when it entered.
There is what we call a fiber-optic lamp monitor system.
Fiber-optic cables run from the lamps to a lamp monitor on top of
each front fender. When the headlamps are on, the lamp monitors
show that the lights are working. If a bulb burns out, its monitor
also goes out. This warns the driver that the lamp has failed.
Another way to use fiber-optics is to run cables from a
central light source to various outlets where light is needed. This
allows only one bulb to provide light at many places. A special
arc- discharge bulb provides thee light. It is smaller and lasts
longer than a halogen bulb. Similar to a fluorescent or neon
bulb, there is no filament to burn out. The light appears at each
lamp or outlet only when needed. This system would prevent the
failure of many individual bulbs.

H. Computer Controlled Lighting

In most cars, a separate switch controls each lighting circuit.

However, an electronic-control module or lamp module can control
the complete vehicle lighting system. When the driver operates any
switch that controls a lamp circuit, the switch sends an input
signal to tee lamp module. It then turns the desired lamps on or
off. The lamp module provides the intermittent operation of the
hazard-warning and turn-signal lights. No flasher is needed.
In most lighting system a switch supplies voltage to lamps
that are permanently grounded. With computer-controlled lighting,
many circuits operate differently. Voltage is always supplied and a
switch or relay provides the lamp ground. The various lights
switches are grouped on the left side of the steering column in the
left switch pod.

I. Distributed Lighting System

The distributed lighting system is a computer-controlled
lighting system that uses the body control module (BCM) as the
lamp module. The system includes nine-solid-state switches or
output switching modules (OSM), a serial data line or bus, and
 the left switch pod. The BCM controls all interior and exterior
lighting through the switching modules. Each switching module
controls four lamp circuits. Three jumpers divide the power feeds
into three groups. This prevents a module circuit failure from
making all rear or all front lights inoperative.
In addition to controlling and monitoring lamp operation, the
system can substitute some lamps for others that have failed.
The system includes two extra or redundant relays. They
automatically provide power to the headlamp (low beam) and left
tailamp if the BCM or the serial data buss fails. Problems in the
distributed lighting system cause a LIGHTING FAULT message
to display. This also sets a lighting-system trouble code which is
stored in the BCM.
The operation of the distributed lighting system is made
possible by multiplexing. This is the use of one conductor, such
as the serial data bus, to do the job of many wires. A single
main-wiring harness simplifies the electrical system. Because of
multiplexing, it has fewer connectors which improve reliability.

J. Headlamp Aiming

Headlamps must be aimed correctly so the driver can see at

night and to prevent the blinding of approaching drivers. One
method is the use of an aiming screen. Park the car on a level
floor, 25 feet (7.6 m) from the screen. Then the high beam and
low beam can be checked.
Adjust the headlamps to provide the specified pattern. There
are usually adjusted by turning vertical-aim and horizontal-aim
adjusting screws. An adapter mounts to the three aiming pads
on the headlamp. Some shops have an optical aimer. It does not
touch the headlamp. When using a headlamp aimer, follow the
manufacturer’s operating instructions. Headlamp-aiming
patterns and adjustment are in the vehicle service manual.

Some vehicles have aiming devices built into the headlamp

assembly. A bubble level indicates the proper height (up-and-
down) adjustment as the vertical aim adjusting screws are turned
in and out. Other vehicles also have built-in scales and pointers for
horizontal (side-to-side) adjustment.
Caution:
Halogen bulbs and headlamps get very hot. Do not touch a
halogen bulb or lamp while it is on or shortly after it has been
turned-off. Handle the separately-mounted bulb carefully. It
contains gas under pressure. The bulb may shatter if scratched
 and dropped. Do not touch the glass envelope. The oil from your
skin may damage it. Keep the bulb out of reach of children.

II. Safety and Signaling

A. Horn and Horn Relay
Most Cars have two horns at the front of the car. Horns are
electrically-operated noise- makers used by the driver to provide a
loud warning signal. Pressing a horn button in the steering wheel or
column grounds thee circuit connecting the battery to the horn
relay. This closes contact points in the relay and connects the
horns—through the relay—to the battery. The electric current then
causes a diaphragm in each horn to vibrate and produce the
sound.

B. Vehicular Security Systems

An anti-theft or security alarm system causes the horn to sound

and the lights to flash if someone tries to break into the vehicle. There
are several different ways to trigger the alarm. Typically, the driver
sets the alarm by operating a switch when leaving the vehicle. Then
opening or forcing the hood, trunk, tailgate, or any door triggers the
alarm.
Many vehicle security systems include a starter interrupt. This
prevents the starting the engine after any forced entry, even if the
ignition switch is bypassed.

C. Seat Belts
Seat Belts restrain the vehicle occupants if there is an accident.
After entering the car, the driver and passengers each fasten a lap or
lap-and-shoulder belt. The belt then helps hold that person in the
seat during a collision or rollover. Inertia-sensitive retractors lock the
belt in place when an impact occurs.
A passive restraint provides protection without requiring any
action by the driver or passenger. Two types of passive restraints are
air bags and motorized seat belts. These are front-seat shoulder belts
that move into position automatically. After entering the car and
closing the door, the driver turns on the ignition key. The electric
motor then pulls a cable or tape connected to the belt. The belt travels
forward and out of the way when the door opens. In some cars with
an air bag on only the driver’s side, the seatbelt for the front-seat
passenger automatically tightens in a crash. This provides the
passenger with additional protection.
C. Air bags

Air bags are also called supplemental inflatable restraints (SIR).

They are balloon-type devices that inflate automatically to protect the
driver (and front-passenger in some vehicles) if a front-end crash
occurs. The air bag prevents the occupant from being thrown forward
and injured by striking the steering wheel or wind-shield. The seat
belt and air bag together provide maximum protection against injury
in a collision.
.When the ignition key is turned on, the readiness indicator light
should come on for about six seconds. Any other operation of the light
indicates a malfunction. The system is powered directly from the
battery. This allows the air bag to inflate with the ignition key in any
position, including OFF and LOCK.
If a front-end crash occurs, two of the four sensors must
activate to trigger the air bag. This helps prevent a short circuit in
a sensor or wiring from causing an unwanted inflation. When the
sensors detect a collision, an electric spark below the inflator in
the steering hub ignites a small canister of gas . The gas in turn
ignites the propellant (sodium azide) in the inflator.
The burning propellant creates nitrogen gas. This fills the air
bag stored above in the inflator in the steering wheel hub. As the
bag inflates, it pushes through both the air-cushion container and
the steering wheel trim cover. Deployment time, from impact to full
inflation, is about 50 milliseconds (0.050 second) or less. Some
systems include a capacitor that will trigger the system if the
battery or battery cables are damaged by the impact.
D. Air-Bag Replacement

An air bag inflates only once. Then remove the deployed air
bag and clean the inside of thee vehicle. This is necessary because
of the powder emitted as the air bag deploys. Install a new air bag
module. Follow the air-bag service procedures in the vehicle service
manual.

Caution:
Be careful when working on vehicles with air bags. You
could accidentally trigger thee system. A deploying air bag could
injure you if you are not belted in the normal seated position.
E. Windshield Wipers and Washers
 Windshield wipers clean the windshield so the driver can see
clearly while driving in rain or snow. The wiper blades are moved
back and forth by linkage connected to a motor on the firewall in
the engine compartment. A switch on the steering column or
instrument pane connects the motor to the ignition switch. The
motor will run when the ignition key is in the ON or ACC position.
The windshield-wiper switch has at least two or three
speeds. Many cars have intermittent windshield wipers. These
include an adjustable time delay between blade movements. The
wiper blades will move across and back. Pause, and then repeat
the action.
The windshield washer is a part of the windshield-wiper
system. When the driver presses a button, liquid windshield-
washer fluid squirts on the windshield. This allows the blades to
clean more effectively. Some cars have heated wind-shield washer
nozzles. This prevents ice from clogging the small holes in cold
weather.
The rear window in some cars has a similar wiper-and
washer-system. It works automatically when the windshield
washer operates.

III. Driver Information and Safety

A. Instrument Pane
The instrument panel contains the indicators—gauges, lights,
and displays— the driver needs to operate the car. These are
usually grouped for easy reading by the driver in an instrument
cluster. Some driver-operated controls mount on the instrument
panel, or above or below it in a console/ these include the
headlamp switch, heating and air-conditioning controls and the
controls of the radio and tape and compact-disc player.
Automotive instrumentation may take the form of analog
gauges or electronic displays. Analog gauges show thee condition
being monitored by movement of thee pointer on the gauge. Several
analog gauges are group into an analog instrument cluster. In an
electronic cluster, the various readings and conditions displays a
numbers or a bar-graph display. Both types of the instrument
clusters inform the driver of any conditions including:
1. Vehicle speed
2. Distance traveled
3. Engine temperature
4. Engine oil pressure
5. Battery charge or discharge
6. Amount of fuel in fuel tank.
 Some cars have a hybrid instrument cluster .It includes both
analog gauges and electronic displays, along with other indicating
devices and warning lights. This may illuminate a symbol or a
message such as DOOR AJAR or TAIL LAMP OUT.
B. Head-up Display
Images containing driving information are projected onto the
windshield. The information includes displays of vehicle speed,
turn-signal indicators, high-beam indicator, and low-fuel warning.
These images appear suspended in space near the front bumper.
The driver’s eyes do not need to move from the road or refocus to
view this information.
Only certain information from the instrument panel appears
in the head-up display. A warning CHECK GAUGES messages
appearing on the windshield alerts the driver that a gauge on the
instrument panel needs attention. Controls allow adjustment of
the head-up display brightness and vertical location in the
windshield.

C. SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER

A speedometer in the instrument cluster shows the driver
how the fast the vehicle is moving. Many speedometers are driven
from the transmission output shaft by a set of gears. Thee driven
gear fastens to a flexible shaft or speedometer cable. It runs from
the transmission output shaft to the back of the speedometer
head.
Inside the speedometer, the cable turns a shaft with a small
magnetic field produces a varying pull on the metal ring
surrounding the magnet. A pointer attaches to the metal ring. As
magnetic field spins, it causes the ring to overcome a light spring
and swing with the magnetic field. This moves the pointer which
then indicates car speed. The faster the car speed, the faster the
magnet spins, and the farther the pointer moves.
The odometer records the total distance the vehicle has
traveled. It is a row of numbers, usually located in the speedometer
shaft. Its motion is carried through the gears to the mileage or
kilometer number rings. These turn to show the distance traveled
by the vehicle.
Some vehicles have an electronically-driven speedometer and
odometer. A vehicle-speed sensor (VSS) on the transmission output
shaft sends vehicle speed signals through wiring to the
speedometer. This eliminates the speedometer cable. The speed
signals operate a small electric stepper motor which turns the
odometer number rings. Cars with an electronic instrument cluster
have a digital speedometer and odometer display. When the key is
 off, the body control module (BCM) stores the odometer reading.
The odometer reading is not lost when the battery is disconnected.

D. Speed-Control System

The cruise control or speed-control system helps the vehicle

to automatically maintain a speed selected by the driver. When set
at any speed above about 225 mph [40 kmph], the driver’s foot can
be removed from the accelerator pedal. An actuator motor, vacuum
servo then opens and closes the throttle, as needed to maintain the
speed. However, steep grades up or down may cause vehicle speed
to vary.
Tapping the clutch or brake pedal operates a switch that
disengages the system. Touching the RESUME button or switch
causes the vehicle to return to the former speed setting. Depressing
thee accelerator pedal for passing does not affect the setting.
Depressing the accelerator pedal for passing does not affect the
setting. When the pedal is released, the system returns the vehicle
to the preset speed. To disengage and turn off the speed-control
system, move the OFF-ON switch to OFF.

E. Networks and Multiplexing

Some cars have several microprocessors which control the various
electronic systems. One way to reduce duplication and wiring is to
have these controllers communicate with each other. When this
happens thee group of interconnected components and systems
becomes a network. For example, a sensor is wired to one
controller. If then shares the information with all other controllers
that require it. The vehicle has fewer sensors, and the amount of
wiring and number of connections is greatly reduced.

F. Other electrical and Electronic Devices

The automobile may contain other electrical and electronic devices
in addition to those already described. These include power seats,
power windows, heated windshield, voice alert systems, voice
command systems, mobile telephones, and electronic navigation
systems. Some of these and other electrical and electronic devices
are described below.
1. Electric seat adjusters are motors under the seat that operate
by push buttons or levers to move the seat forward and back, or
up or down. Some also change the inclination and shape, or
contour, of the seat.
2. The window regulator has a motor in the door that raises or
lowers the window as a switch is operated.
3. The voice alert system uses a computerized voice which says,
“The door is ajar,” “The key is in the ignition lock,” or ‘the
headlamps are on.” These and other messages inform the driver
of conditions that need attention.
4. The voice command system causes the car to respond in some
way to a spoken command. This may be “Tune thee radio,”
“Lower thee window,” or “Dial a phone number.” There are
many other voice-command possibilities. One includes using a
voice command to unlock the car door and operate the ignition
instead of using a key.
5. The keyless entry system has a panel of buttons on the driver-
side door. To unlock the door, the buttons must be pressed in
the proper order. This code takes the place of the key.

Some keyless entry systems can also be operated from up to 33

feet [10 m] by a small hand-held transmitter. Pushing a button
on the transmitter will lock all doors, unlock all doors, or open
the trunk. Another button— the PANIC button- acts as a theft
deterrent or anti-theft device. Pushing the panic button with the
ignition of activates the horn and flashes the headlamps.
6. Electronic navigation systems display a map on the instrument
panel which shows the location of the vehicle on the road. The
location point moves on the map as the vehicle travels on the
highway. It also shows the route to the destination. In some
systems, a satellite orbiting in space—22,000 miles [35,400]
above the earth—pinpoints vehicle location.
7. Radar braking uses radar to sense how fast a vehicle is closing
on the vehicle ahead. The brakes apply automatically to slow
the vehicle if necessary to maintain a safe distance. Someday
radar braking may be combined with throttle control into
intelligent cruise control. This could keep traffic moving at a
preset speed while radar braking maintains safe intervals
between vehicles.
 Self-Check 2.1-1
A. Multiple Choices
Instruction: Choose the letter that correspond the correct answers.

1. ________are electrically-operated noise- makers used by the driver to provide

a loud warning signal.
a. Turn-signal lights c. Windshield wipers
b. Seat Belts d. Horns

2. ____s restrain the vehicle occupants if there is an accident.

a. Turn-signal lights c. Windshield wipers
b. Seat Belts d. Horns

3. _______are balloon-type devices that inflate automatically to protect the

driver (and front-passenger in some vehicles) if a front-end crash occurs.
a. Turn-signal lights c. Windshield wipers
b. Seat Belts d. Air Bags

4. ______ clean the windshield so the driver can see clearly while driving in rain
or snow.
a. Turn-signal lights c. Horns
b. Seat Belts d. Windshield wipers

5. _____ which indicate an intended change in direction by flashing lights on

the side toward which the turn will be made.

a. Turn-signal lights c. Windshield wipers

b. Seat Belts d. Seat Belts
 Answer Key 2.1-1

1. D
2. B
3. D
4. D

5. A