Electrical systems

Testing a dynamo and checking output

The dynamo is a robust and simple type of generator which was fitted to many earlier cars. Most...

Checking the batteries

Most car batteries are sealed for life - apart from a small vent hole which allows gas to e...

Using a car battery charger

Frequent short trips, with constant stopping and starting, make your battery work very hard,...

How to test a car battery

If your car's instrument panel includes an ammeter , it will tell you how well the charging syst...

Cleaning and replacing a control box

On cars with dynamos, faults in the control box show up in various ways, some of which are descri...

How to fix a dynamo

Wear on the carbon brushes and commutator is the most common cause of dynamo failure.

Checking, adjusting and refitting drive belts

Drive belts always stretch a little in use, because of the strains put on them by driving the wa...

Checking battery leads and connections

A faint click or total silence when the starter key is turned usually means that the battery ...

Testing an alternator and checking output

Alternators have replaced dynamos as generators on modern cars; they can produce more current .

Replacing dynamo brushes

The carbon brushes are a sliding fit in oblong holders on the dynamo endplate. Coiled sprin...

Removing and refitting a dynamo pulley

The most common reason for removing a dynamo pulley is to fit it on a new dynamo — most replace...

Renewing alternator brushes

Unlike dynamo brushes , alternator brushes normally last for several years. Electrical arcing...

Fitting a new voltage regulator

When you have tested the charging system of a car fitted with an alternator , and the checks in ...

Overhauling a light cluster

Many modern cars are now designed so that their lights are built as a one-piece unit known as a c...

Checking the electrics with a multimeter

Modern cars have a large amount of electrical equipment which can go wrong and so need checking.

Update your charging system

Alternators are powerful enough to cope with the demand for current made by a modern car's ele...

Fixing a simple light cluster

It is essential to keep your car lights in good working order all the time. Apart from being dang...

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