Devices, Components & The Like
A device that uses electricity to do work. Examples include electric motors, mechanical switches, mechanical relays, solenoids, and lightbulbs.
What is an electric device?
A system that uses a switch mounted on the steering wheel and a relay to send current to the horn(s).
What is the horn system?
A system that uses a display screen and satellite information to show a road map of vehicle location and direction.
What is the Navigation system?
A system that forces current back through the battery to recharge it and also provides electricity for all of the vehicle’s electric devices when the engine is running.
What is the charging system?
If the computer detects an abnormal electrical value or potential problem, this will illuminate.
What is the malfunction indicator light(MIL)? (check engine light)
The "eyes, ears, and nose" of the computer network, these can detect part movement, temperature changes, pressure variance, chemical content, part location, rotational speed, sounds, and other conditions.
What are sensors?
A suspension system that uses hydraulic rams instead of conventional suspension system springs and shock absorbers.
What is an active suspension system?
A vehicle communication system that uses a small speaker, computer, and numerous sensors to inform the driver of vehicle conditions.
What is the driver information system?
When triggered, this can produce a high voltage output to fire sparkplugs.
What is an ignition coil?
An electronic test instrument designed to retrieve trouble codes from the computer’s memory and to display the codes as a number and words explaining the problem.
What is a scan tool?
A component that is composed of semiconductor material, which allows the device to alter the flow of electricity. Examples include diodes, transistors, sensors, and automotive computers.
What is an electronic device?
A system designed to protect the driver and passengers during a collision or wreck.
What is a restraint system?
A system that automatically operates the air conditioning and heating systems to maintain passenger compartment temperature.
What is a climate control system?
A device in a vehicle that produces current and feeds it to the battery and to other electrical/electronic systems.
What is the alternator/generator?
This allows other modules to communicate with the powertrain control module so all systems work in harmony.
What is a multiplex network? Also known as the "bus"
Electric/electronic components that serve as the "hands" of the computer, also known as output devices.
What are actuators?
A computer-controlled system that prevents the vehicle’s wheels from spinning and losing traction under hard acceleration.
What is the traction control system?
Most components in this system, such as bulbs and switches, are considered electrical in nature.
What is the lighting system?
A system used on gasoline engines to ignite the air-fuel mixture.
What is the ignition system?
A field of electronics in which light is used to carry data through small strands of plastic or glass fiber.
What is fiber optics?
These are the sensor, the actuator, and the computer/electronic control unit.
What are the three main parts of the computer network?
A brake system that uses wheel speed sensors, a computer, and a hydraulic actuator to maintain directional stability and steerability during braking.
What is the anti-lock brake system?
A system that includes many audio devices, such as an AM-FM stereo, tape player, compact disc player, satellite radio, Bluetooth or iPod.
What is the sound system?
Electronic fuel injection provides precise control of how much fuel is metered into the engine by changing this.
What is injector pulse width?
This refers to a vehicle computer’s ability to analyze the operation of its circuits and to output data identifying any problems found.
What is on-board diagnostics?