Objectives • Diagnose problems in lighting and wiring systems • Adjust headlamp aim • Make repairs to automotive wiring, lamps and bulbs, and protection devices
Adding Electrical Accessories • Aftermarket accessories – Usually require separate fused circuit • Fuse holders – Original equipment accessories take power from a fuse on the fuse panel • Fuse holder can be connected to existing power source • Tap splice connectors are used in electrical circuits only, not in electronic circuits
Soldering • Preferred for electronic circuits – Small amount of current runs through – Does not suffer increased resistance due to oxidation • Soldering iron is used for wiring connections – Propane, acetylene, Mapp gas torch are used for radiators or larger cable terminal connections • Stainless steel is not solderable • Flux cleans metal so solder will stick
Soldering (cont'd.) • Cold solder connection – Solder melts but wire does not bond to it • Heat-shrink tubing – Insulates a solder joint and makes it airtight • Connection can also be insulated with vinyl tape • Adhesive-lined tubing – Recommended to prevent corrosion
Fuse Link Service • Fuse link – Length of wire covered with insulation that is thicker than normal insulation • Can contain melted metal if a wire fails – Insulation bubbles if fuse link melts • Cut out damaged part of wire • Splice new fuse link • Use a fuse link of the correct size
Headlamp Service • Headlight: light beam from a headlamp • Replacing a headlamp – Halogen and conventional sealed beams will fit into same brackets – Round type I and type II lamps do not interchange – Use dielectric grease when installing headlight • Halogen lamp replacement – Sealed-beam halogen lamps: replaced as a unit
Headlamp Service (cont’d.) • Composite halogen lamp insert replacement – Removing a halogen replaceable lamp insert in a composite light assembly • Touch it only on its plastic base • HID lamp service – High-intensity discharge (HID) lamps • Expensive but reliable • Two to three times less likely to fail
LED Service • Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) – Sometimes used for headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and taillights – Also used in side rear view mirror turn signal indicators and center high-mount stop lamps – Not serviceable; they are replaced – Use less current than filament light bulbs
Stoplight Switch Service • Bypass stoplight switch with jumper wire to test – Stoplights should light when wires are connected • Use a test light to see if there is power at one end – If lights come on when wires connected, but not when brakes are applied, replace the switch – If lights stoplights operate without key, remove the fuse before removing switch – If new switch adjustable, adjust it so it is open when the pedal is released
Signal Flasher/Relay • Electronic signal flashers – Flash faster than normal when bulb has failed • Mechanical flashers flash slower – Turn on hazards and walk around the car to check filaments of signal bulbs and break lights