Automotive 2 Flashcards
Fuel system
Maintains correct air-fuel mixture for efficient operation. Carburetor is old fashioned, now electronic fuel injection is used
Electric fuel pump
Located in the vehicle’s fuel tank, supplies fuel under pressure to fuel injectors
Fuel rail
Manifold that supplies fuel under pressure to inlets of all the engine’s fuel injectors
Fuel pressure regulator
Regulates pressure. Excess fuel is led to the fuel return line, where it’s sent back to the fuel tank
Fuel injector
Sprays fuel into the intake airstream as it receives electrical signals from the PCM. Location determines specific type of fuel injection system
Powertrain control module (PCM)
Another word for the vehicle’s central computer, responsible for control of all functions associated with engine and transmission
Intake manifold
Distributes air to the intake parts on the cylinder head
Intake air filter
All air entering the engine passes through the air filter, which removes airborne contaminants that could damage internal engine parts
Throttle body/plate
The throttle plate, which is connected to the throttle pedal, controls engine speed and output of torque
Primary ignition system
Low voltage part of the ignition system
Primary coil winding
Low-voltage winding in the ignition coil, made up of several hundred turns of heavy wire
Ignition module
A transistorized switch that turns the primary current on and off
Reluctor and pick up coil
Responsible for generating a signal that operated the ignition module.
Distributor
Driven by the engines camshaft, times the spark and distributes it to the correct cylinder. Turns at 1/2 speed of engine
Secondary ignition system
High-voltage part of ignition system
Secondary coil winding
High voltage winding in the ignition coil. Made up of several thousand turns of fine wire, wound around primary coil winding
Coil wire
Transmits high voltage from secondary coil winding to distributing cap
Distributor cap and rotor
Directs high voltage from the coil wire to each cylinder in the firing order
Spark plugs
Threaded into the cylinder head. Protrudes into the combustion chamber and generates the spark for combustion
Exhaust manifolds
Majority of exhaust heat and noise is focused on the exhaust manifolds, often made of cast iron for durability under high heat
Catalytic converter
Responsible for converting toxic components of engine exhaust into relatively harmless compounds such as carbon dioxide and water
Muffler
Incorporates an expansion chamber and sound absorbing material to diminish noise
Electrical starting system
Cranks engine to start it
Lead-acid battery
Battery made up of lead plates immersed in an electrolyte made up of sulfuric acid and water
Alternator
Belt-driven by the engines crankshaft, converts mechanical energy into electrical energy
Actuators
Receive output signals from the computer and control vehicle functions
Clutch
Transmits torque from the engine to the transmission
Transaxle
Has several gears selected according to the speed of the vehicle and how fast the driver would like to accelerate
Half shaft
Short drive shaft that transmits power from transaxle to the drive wheels. Front-wheel drive
Constant-velocity (CV) joints
Transmits power through very steep angles
Transmission
Rear and four wheel drive
Drive shaft
Transmits torque from transmission to the drive axle
Universal joints
Located at each end of the drive shaft, allows the shaft to operate at an angle with the component that’s driving
Drive axle
Transmits engine power between two drive wheels
Torque converter
Automatic transmission, uses fluid to transmit power, allows certain amount of slippage when vehicle is stopped
Master cylinder
Brake systems, located in the engine compartment in front of driver, generates fluid pressure to operate brake assemblies
Fluid reservoir
Provides fluid to brake circuits
Drum brakes
Expanding shoes make contact with rotating drum to create friction
Disc brakes
Brake pads in either side of a rotating disc are “pinched” together to slow the vehicle
