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Air Fuel Ratio (A/F) Sensor
The job of the air fuel ratio sensor is to measure the oxygen content in the exhaust and provide the feedback to the engine computer (PCM). Based on air fuel ratio sensor signal, the computer adjusts the air to fuel ratio
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Alternator
An alternator is attached to the engine and run by a drive belt. When the engine is running, an alternator generates electric power to charge the battery. An alternator doesn't need any maintenance, but it can fail with mileage
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Battery Sensor
A battery current sensor or simply battery sensor measures the current to and from the battery. It may also monitor the condition of the battery, including the voltage, state of charge and state of health (aging). In some cars, it even measures the temperature of the battery.
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Blower Motor Resistor
A blower motor resistor controls the speed of the blower motor in the manual HVAC system. One of the symptoms of a failed blower motor resistor is when the heating system fan only works at the highest speed setting
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Brake Caliper
The brake caliper holds the brake pads in the disc brakes. A caliper has at least one piston. To work properly the caliper slider pins should move freely. If one of the pins seizes up, the brakes will not function properly.
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Brake Light Switch
The brake light switch serves two major functions. First, it turns on the brake lights when a driver presses the brake pedal. Second, it sends the signal to the vehicle computer that brakes are applied.
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Check Engine Light
The Check Engine light is the source of frustration of many motorists. Dealing with this problem takes time and money, but there are several things you can check yourself. There are also several repair options to consider.
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Continuously Variable Transmission CVT
The concept of a continuously variable transmission or CVT is based on a chain that runs between two pulleys. The pulley size is varied by hydraulic pressure. A pulley set consists of two "cones." When the cones pushed towards each other, the pulley set size increases. If the pulley set 1 reduces in size and the pulley set 2 increases in size, the transmission "downshifts."
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Control Arm
One of the main components of the front suspension, the control arm connects the front wheel to the vehicle's chassis. In many cars, a ball joint is built into the control arm as one piece
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Cooling System
The cooling system keeps the engine from overheating. The system is filled with liquid coolant (antifreeze) and is connected into a loop with a radiator, see the diagram. The coolant flows through the engine where it absorbs the heat and into the top of the radiator.
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CV Joints
Constant Velocity (CV) joints transfer the torque to the drive wheels, while accommodating the up-and-down movement of the suspension and the steering action. CV joints are packed with special grease and sealed by a rubber boot.
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DOHC Engine
DOHC means Double OverHead Cam, or sometimes it could be called "Twin Cam" or "Double Cam." Many modern cars have DOHC engines. Is it better than the OHV engine?
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Direct Injection (gasoline)
In an engine with a gasoline direct injection (GDI), fuel is sprayed under very high pressure directly into the combustion chamber. What are the pros and cons of a direct injection?
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Disc brakes
How disc brakes work: when you press the brake pedal, the hydraulic pressure of the brake fluid pushes the piston out of the brake caliper. The piston pushes the inner pad away from the caliper, towards the brake disc (rotor). The outer part of the caliper also pushes on the outer pad towards the disc. The two brake pads squeeze the disc between them, forcing it to stop.
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Door Lock Actuator
The door lock actuator is an electrically-powered device that operates the door latch mechanism. In many cars, the door lock actuator is built with the latch mechanism into one assembly.
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EGR System
As a part of the vehicle emission control, the Exhaust Gas Recirculation or EGR system helps reducing the amount of the nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the exhaust gases. How does it work? The EGR system lowers the combustion temperature by diverting a small portion of the exhaust gases back into the intake manifold.
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EGR Valve
The EGR valve is the main component of the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system. It controls the flow of exhaust gases in the EGR system.
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Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
In a car with an internal combustion engine, the cooling system maintains the optimal temperature of the engine and prevents it from overheating. An engine coolant temperature sensor or ECT measures the temperature of the liquid coolant. Many cars have more than one engine temperature sensor.
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Engine Mount
An engine mount hold the engine to the vehicle's body or frame. Some engine mounts are filled with liquid and work similar to a shock absorber. This design helps reduce the engine vibration felt inside the cabin.
Learn your car: how different car parts and sensors work
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Fuses
Fuses protect electric circuits in a car from overloading. Each circuit has its own fuse. Larger fuses with high Amp rating protect multiple or high-current circuits. There is also at least one main fuse. Read: how to check fuses in a car.
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Ignition Coil
An ignition coil is a part of the vehicle's ignition system. It converts 12V battery power into high voltage in order to create a spark at a spark plug. The spark ignites the air/fuel mixture in the engine cylinders.
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Intake Manifold
An intake manifold distributes the intake air flow evenly between cylinders. In many cars, an intake manifold also hosts the throttle valve (throttle body). An intake manifold consists of the plenum and the runners.
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Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor
The mass air flow sensor measures the amount of air entering the engine. This measurement is used by the engine computer to calculate the amount of injected fuel. The mass airflow sensor is installed between the intake manifold and air filter.
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OHC or SOHC Engine
Single OverHead or SOHC has one camshaft installed in a cylinder head. The valves are operated either by the rocker arms or directly through the lifters.
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OHV Engine
OverHead Valve or OHV engine is also called a "Pushrod" engine. In this design the camshaft is installed inside the engine block and valves are operated through lifters, pushrods and rocker arms.
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Purge Valve
The Evaporative Control (EVAP) system traps fuel vapors from the fuel tank and stores them in the charcoal canister. The purge valve controls the flow of the fuel vapors from the charcoal canister.
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Pushrod Engine
The term "Pushrod" is used to describe the engine design where the camshaft is installed inside the cylinder block, and valves are operated through lifters, pushrods and rocker arms.
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Serpentine Belt
A serpentine belt runs the accessories such as an alternator, power steering pump, water pump and air conditioner compressor. Over time, a serpentine belt wears and must be replaced.
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Starter Motor
A starter is an electric motor that turns over or "cranks" the engine to start it. To turn over the engine the starter motor requires a very high electric current, which means the battery has to have sufficient power.
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Steering U-joint
A steering u-joint has four needle bearings packed with grease and sealed. A failed steering u-joint could cause a knocking noise in the steering. The steering also could become stiffer at certain angles.
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Thermostat
The thermostat is an important part of the engine cooling system. It helps the warm the engine up faster and maintain the proper operating temperature. One of the symptoms of a bad thermostat is lack of heat when driving on a highway.
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Timing Belt
A timing belt connect the engine crankshaft with the camshaft(s) to time the opening and closing of the valves with the movement of the pistons. In some cars, an engine may get severely damaged if the timing belt brakes.
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Transmission Range Switch
In cars with an automatic transmission, the transmission range switch allows the starter operation only when a transmission is in Park or Neutral. The job of the transmission range switch is to tell the vehicle computer (PCM) which gear the transmission is in.
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Turbocharger
With tighter fuel economy regulations, more and more car manufacturers rely on turbocharged engines. With a turbocharger, the vehicle can have a smaller engine and use less gas when coasting, idling or in stop-and-go traffic. When needed, a turbocharger kicks in and provides extra power.
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Vacuum leaks
What is a vacuum leak? It's a leak anywhere between the engine and a mass air flow sensor. In the fuel injection system, the mass air flow sensor measures the air flow into the engine. The engine computer (PCM) calculates how much fuel to inject based on the mass air flow sensor measurements. If there is a vacuum leak, it causes "unmetered" air to enter the system. Symptoms of a vacuum leak include the Check Engine light, rough idle, stalling and a hissing sound coming from the engine bay.
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Vent Valve (EVAP system)
A Vent valve is a vital part of the Evaporative Control (EVAP) system. The EVAP system is responsible for trapping fuel vapors from the fuel tank and burning them in the engine. Problems with a vent valve will cause the Check Engine light to come on.
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Window Motor
Window motors operate power windows in your car. A window motor is installed inside the door and works together with a window regulator to raise and lower the window. In some cars, a window motor can be replaced separately, in others it comes with the window regulator as a unit.
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Window Regulator
A window regulator works with a window motor to slide the window up and down inside the door. A bad window regulator can cause the window not to open or close fully. It's a maintenance-free unit. If a window regulator fails, the failed part or the whole unit must be replaced.
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Windshield washer fluid pump (motor)
The windshield washer system is fairly simple, there is a switch, the control module and the motor. The pump comes with the motor as one unit. In some older cars the switch powers the pump directly. The windshield washer motor/pump is installed at the bottom of the windshield washer fluid bottle.
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Wiper Linkage (transmission)
How the wiper system works: the wiper switch sends the signal to the control module. The control module operates the wiper relay. The wiper relay sends 12-volt power to the wiper motor. The motor rotates a little motor arm that through links moves the wiper arms.
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Wiper Motor
The wiper motor is a DC (direct current) 12V motor that includes set of gears and a park switch. The park switch allows the motor to stop when wipers are positioned at the bottom of the windshield. This position is called "park position".